Appius Claudius Sabinus Inregillensis
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Appius Claudius Sabinus Inregillensis (c. 500 BC) was the semi-legendary founder of the Claudii. He was born Attius Clausus in the Sabine territories. It was said that he favored peace with the Roman Republic, an unpopular position, and left with a group of followers. The followers were made citizens and Claudius was made a senator. He became consul of Rome in 495 BC. According to Livy's History of Rome, he was "harsh by nature" and "loved tyranny", which is said to have resulted in the Struggle of the Orders.
His harsh enforcement of debt laws forced a secession of the plebs in 494-493. They fled to a nearby "holy hill", and the patricians sent one Menenius Agrippa to convince them to return. Shakespeare's play Coriolanus adapts this story.
