The notable event leading to a drastic shift in power in favor of the common people in ancient Rome was the Conflict of the Orders. This struggle, spanning from the 5th to the 3rd centuries BCE, involved the Patricians, the aristocratic class, and the Plebeians, the common citizens. The Plebeians sought greater political representation and rights, ultimately achieving significant reforms like the establishment of the Tribunes, who represented their interests. This conflict and the subsequent legal reforms led to a more inclusive political structure, diminishing the exclusive power of the elite and marking a shift towards a more democratic government in Rome.