Appius Claudius (Appius Claudius Caecus)

(flowering of activity - the end of 4 - the beginning. 3 cc. BC), nicknamed Zec, ie. Blind, usually the time of performance of the post was limited to 18 months, but Appius remained in office to complete the work begun by his grand. In particular, he built the Appian running water (Aqua Appia), in which water from the Sabine Mountains came to Rome, and began construction of the famous Appian Way between Rome and Capua. This road was built a new Roman Market - Forum Appiah. His tenure as censor Appius used to hold a number of important political reforms aimed at increasing the participation of the lower strata of the population in public life. In particular, in the Senate were introduced came from the lower classes and even children of freedmen. Were to increase taxes, which are allowed to conduct these studies, as well as re-distribution of citizens on the tribes, which changed the balance of votes in favor of supporters Appiah. However, the subsequent reform Appiah censors lifted in part of membership in the Senate and the distribution of citizens, but already in 300 BC. plebeians opened all the posts in the state, including the priestly. Appius twice served as consul: in 307 BC. and in 296 BC. He was appointed Interrex (temporal ruler to select the new consuls) in 298 BC. and held this position three times. During the Consulate 296 BC. Appius waged war against the Samnites, Sabine and Etruscan.
Appius - the earliest known to us by the name of the Roman writer. Ancient authors often quote the words of a verse composed of saturninskim assembly (the most famous: 'Every person - the blacksmith of his fate'). He belonged to a legal treatise on the attribution. In addition, Appiah attributed compiling a calendar of religious holidays and the code of laws published by his secretary, Flavius. This was an important event because the hearings could take place only in the so-called 'auspicious days', known only to patricians, than they used. Later writers ascribe Appiah innovations in spelling.

When Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, came to the aid of the inhabitants of Tarentum, in their fight against Rome and won in 280 BC. major victory, . some Roman politicians were in favor of the conclusion of peace with him sacrificing expansion to the south, . but Appius, . was old and blind (and why he earned the nickname Zec), . uttering a fiery speech, . persuaded the Senate to continue the war,
. In the end, Pierre was forced out of Italy.