Then, marching into the city, they compelled the Decemviri to resign.
The TWELVE TABLES have not been preserved, except in fragments, and we know but little of their exact contents.

The position of the debtor was apparently made more endurable.

The absolute control of the _pater familias_ over his family was abolished.

The close connection heretofore existing between the clients and patrons was gradually relaxed, the former became less dependent upon the latter, and finally were absorbed into the body of the plebeians.

_Gentes_ among the plebeians now began to be recognized; previously only the patricians had been divided into _gentes_.
Thus we see, socially, the two orders were approaching nearer and nearer.
In 449 Valerius and Horatius were elected Consuls, and were instrumental in passing the so called VALERIO-HORATIAN laws, the substance of which was as follows:-- I.Every Roman citizen could appeal to the Comitia Centuriata against the sentence of any magistrate.
II.