After their ratification, the remark was generally made that two tables were still wanting; if they were added, the body, as it might be called, of Roman law would be complete. As the day for the elections approached, this impression created a desire to appoint decemvirs for a second year.

The plebeians had learnt to detest the name of “consul” as much as that of “king,” and now as the decemvirs allowed an appeal from one of their body to another, they no longer required the aid of their tribunes.

But after notice had been given that the election of decemvirs would be held on

the third market day,the third market day —The country people —i. e. the bulk of the population —came into the City to market every eighth day, and consequently the Assembly met for business on those days. It became customary to give notice on the third market day previous to the Assembly. such eagerness to be amongst those elected displayed itself, that even the foremost men of the State began an individual canvass as humble suitors for an office which they had previously with all their might opposed, seeking it at the hands of that very plebs with which they had hitherto

been in conflict. I think they feared that if they did not fill posts of such great authority, they would be open to men who were not worthy of them. Appius Claudius was keenly alive to the chance that he might not be reelected, in spite of his age and the honours

he had enjoyed. You could hardly tell whether to consider him as a decemvir

or a candidate. Sometimes he was more like one who sought office than one who actually held it; he abused the nobility, and extolled all the candidates who had neither birth nor personal weight to recommend them; he used to bustle about the Forum surrounded by ex-tribunes of the Duellius and Scilius stamp and through them made overtures to the plebeians, until even his colleagues, who till then had been wholly devoted to him, began to watch him, wondering