Question

which of the following was an effect of plebeians leaving rome in 494 bce? choose one option (a) patricians...use political power and closed the city walls. (b)...lack of a labor force, the city came to a halt. (c) plebeians moved to northern hills, to settle. (d) with less people in rome, patricians began working as farmers

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option based on historical knowledge of the plebeians leaving Rome in 494 BCE (the plebeian secession). When plebeians left, Rome faced a labor shortage (as plebeians were the main labor force), which crippled the city's economy and functions.

• Option A: Patricians closing city walls isn't the main effect of plebeians leaving.
• Option B: With the labor force (plebeians) gone, the city came to a halt due to lack of workers for essential tasks, which matches the historical outcome.
• Option C: Plebeians moving to Northern hills to settle was part of the secession but not the "effect" of them leaving in terms of Rome's state; the key effect was on Rome's functionality.
• Option D: Patricians becoming farmers is incorrect as patricians were the elite, not typically taking up farming due to labor shortage from plebeians leaving.

Answer:

B. With no labor force, the city came to a halt.