Appius Claudius Crassus

Who is Appius Claudius Crassus?

Appius Claudius Crassus was a decemvir of the Roman Republic ca 451 BCE.

His father was Appius Claudius Sabinus, Consul in 471 BCE

Despite being of patrician descent, he supported the plebeian wish for a code of laws, and while in office shared power with their representatives. Thus a decemviri was established to ratify new laws, a process where the decemvirs had total authority over Rome, even suspending the current powers of the tribunes and other administrative officers. Although Appius had served one full year term to ratify Rome's new laws off the Greek model, his council convinced the public to have them serve another annual term as decemvirs in order to ratify two more engraved tables to the laws.

When it came time to re-appoint a new council of ten lawmakers, the patricians became suspicious that Appius's growing popularity would gain for him enough favor to be re-appointed. So they pressed upon Appius to propose who should serve in the next decemviri. To everyone's surprise he proposed himself to sit on the next council, whereas everyone thought he would decide to act modestly by declining the offer and not adding his name to the list. The people became even more suspicious once Appius increased the traditional size of the guarding body of lictors from the mere twelve men to one hundred and twenty.