In 287 BC, the Lex Hortensia was enacted, granting binding legal force to decisions made by the Roman Plebeian Council. This law marked a significant shift in the balance of power within the Roman political system, as it effectively gave the plebeians, or common citizens, a greater voice in governance. The Lex Hortensia was a crucial step towards the eventual establishment of a more inclusive political structure in Rome, paving the way for the development of the Republic.

The Lex Hortensia of 287 BC, which made plebiscites binding, resolved class conflicts and was celebrated in poetry that emphasized republican ideals. Poets of the time, such as Catullus, often reflected on the balance of power and social justice in their works.