Book 2, The Republic: Chapter 1, Rome as a Republic, Part 1 Summary and Analysis

This chapter begins with the drama surrounding the institution of the government of the Republic of Rome [rather than a Grecian republic]. During it there is yet another aspect of the culture which emerges. This involves the story of how a slave earns his freedom and Roman citizenship. He does so by informing on a conspiracy of young aristocrats amidst the brand new consular government. He just happens to work for/belong to one of the conspirators.

The slave waits for the right time and then turns in the information to the consuls. They in turn, solve the problem and in reward, grant the slave not only the status of being a 'free man' but of being an actual Roman Citizen. So much for first...