The document summarizes the early government of Rome as a republic shaped by tensions between patricians and plebians. Patricians were wealthy landowning nobles who made up the ruling class and could serve in government, while plebians were the majority population of artisans and farmers who could vote and serve in the army but not hold public office or marry patricians. The main government positions were the two consuls, elected annually to head the army and government, and praetors who interpreted laws and judged courts. Rome also had a strong army of citizen soldiers organized into legions. Rulers were shrewd in granting citizenship and treating conquered peoples well to maintain loyalty and control over the empire.