Plebeians secede from Rome and occupy the sacred mount. As a result, Quintus Hortensius is appointed dictator.

The law was passed as a consequence of the class struggle between Patricians and Plebeians. The Hortensian Law made all resolutions passed by the Plebeian Council binding on all citizens regardless of prior approval of the Senate. It was passed in direct response to the Patrician denial that resolutions passed by the Plebeian Council were not binding on them.