 After the monarchy had been overthrown , and the Roman Republic had been founded , the people of Rome began electing two Consuls each year . In the year 494 BC , the Plebeians ( commoners ) seceded to the Aventine Hill , and demanded of the Patricians ( the aristocrats ) the right to elect their own officials . The Patricians duly capitulated , and the Plebeians ended their secession . The Plebeians called these new officials Plebeian Tribunes , and gave these Tribunes two assistants , called Plebeian Aediles . 
