Marcian vs Servius Tullius

Upon becoming Eastern Roman Emperor, Marcian reversed the policy of paying tribute to Attila the Hun. He declared that he had gold for his friends but iron for his enemies. This defiance marked a shift in Eastern policy and contributed to Attila's decision to invade the West.

Marcian convened the Council of Chalcedon, the fourth ecumenical council. The council condemned the Monophysite heresy and defined the Chalcedonian Creed, which affirmed the two natures of Christ. This decision had lasting theological and political consequences for the Christian world.

Marcian implemented fiscal reforms that stabilized the Eastern Roman Empire's economy. He abolished the tax on the city of Constantinople and reduced state expenditures, leaving a substantial treasury surplus upon his death.

Servius Tullius instituted the first Roman census, dividing the population into five classes based on wealth. He also reorganized the army and created the Centuriate Assembly, a new political body where voting power was weighted by property, replacing the old tribal system.

Servius Tullius divided Rome into four urban tribes and several rural tribes based on geography, not kinship. This reorganization formed the basis for the Tribal Assembly, which handled administrative and legislative matters, and weakened the power of the old patrician gentes.

Servius Tullius reformed the Roman army, organizing soldiers into centuries based on their wealth class. This created a more professional and effective military force, with each century providing its own equipment, and established the comitia centuriata as a military assembly.

Servius Tullius built the Servian Wall, a massive defensive wall around Rome, enclosing the seven hills. This wall protected the city from external attacks and defined the urban boundary, becoming a symbol of Roman strength and security.

Servius Tullius was murdered by his son-in-law, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, who conspired with Tullia, Servius's daughter. Tarquinius seized the throne after the assassination, and Tullia drove her chariot over her father's body, an act that became infamous in Roman history.