At one time, Rome had been ruled by a succession of kings. The Romans believed that this era, that of the Roman Kingdom, began in 753 BC, and ended in 510 BC. After the monarchy had been overthrown, and the Roman Republic had been founded, the people of Rome began electing two Roman Consuls each year. In the year 494 BC, the Plebeians (commoners) seceded to the Aventine hill, and demanded of the Patricians (the aristocrats) the right to elect their own officials. The Patricians duly capitulated, and the Plebeians ended their secession. The Plebeians called these new officials Plebeian Tribunes, and gave these Tribunes two assistants, called Plebeian Aediles.