A good short history of the primary social and political forces at work in the early Roman Republic. The book shows the clear divide between the wealthy and not so wealthy and the reactions of common plebs to laws produced by those who felt themselves more clearly privileged. Also describes the works of a few of the upper class to address the issues plaguing the poor, though these were usually done with their own self interest as the primary driver. The book concludes with the final source of conflicts that lead ultimately to the end of a republic and the rise of an empire under Augustus.

If the history of the early Roman Republic interests you then I recommend adding this book to your list of reading material. ( )

Brunt is recommended by more Roman History professors than just about any other book. This slender volume covers the main topics, though I would have liked to see more footnotes and details. If you're new to Roman History read this one first, otherwise you may be bored by all the usual topics: The Gracchi, Cicero/Ceasar/Pompey, The fight between the orders, etc. ( )

Peter Astbury Brunt, Non Fiction, History, History of Rome, Roman Republic, Politics and government, Social conditions, Social conflicts, 510 - 30 B. C., A too brief account, First published, under the title: "Social Conflicts in the Roman Republic", Chatto and Windus, London, 1971, XI - I64 pp.; under the same title, by Norton, New York, in 1972, copyright 1971, First Italian edition, under the title: "Classi e conflitti sociali nella Roma repubblicana", Laterza, Bari, 1972, translated by Vittoria Calvani and Marilena Foladore, 235 pp. ( )