...and to the republic

RomanGovernment

Out with the King!

In 509 B.C. Romans threw out last Etruscan king. Vowed never

again to be ruled by kings

If you just threw out a king, what

would you be afraid of in a government?

Romans were worried about 1 man being in

power

Formed their government with checks on power

2 types of Roman citizensPatricians (Aristocrats)- wealthy landowners

Plebians (commoners)- merchants,

artisans, farmers

• At first, all elected officials had to be Patricians. Slowly, Plebians gained more power, though.

Date Event Effect

494 BC

Plebians withdraw from city.

Tribunes elected

Tribunes can veto laws of

Senate if affect Plebians

450 BC

Law of 12 TablesLaw same for

both Patricians & Plebians

367 BC

1st Plebian elected Consul

Patrician hold on high offices

broken

“Conflict of the Orders”

3 branches of government

AssembliesOfficials Senate

(...little bit of Monarchy...)

(...little bit of Oligarchy...)

(...little bit of Democracy...)

Created

+ +

...mix them together & it’s called...-- a ‘Republic’

• Three branches were a check on each other’s power so no group would grow too powerful

What makes a ‘Republic?’

Voters in a republic elect

officials to make most of their

decisions for them

Is the United States more of a democracy or a republic?

What is a Consul’s job?

• Command army• Propose laws

What is a the sourceof a Consul’spower?

• Held imperium (right to command troops)

What are thelimits on aConsul’s power?

• 1 year terms of office• Each Consul could veto other

Balance of power2 Consulshighest officials

What is the Senate’s job?

• Set Rome’s budget • Foreign relations• Pass laws

What is the source of Senate’s power?

• Richest men in Rome• Term was for life

What are thelimits on Senate’s power?

• New senators appointed by Consuls• No control over army

Balance of powerRoman Senate

(300 members)

What is the Assembly’s job?

• Elected leaders• Passed laws

What is source ofAssembly’s power?

• Provided most of soldiers

What are thelimits on Asembly’s power?

• Could not propose laws• Often ‘clients’ of rich

Balance of powerRoman

Assembly(35 tribes)

Other Roman elected officials:PRAETOR = GovernorQUAESTOR = Financial officersAEDILE = Religious or city duties

TRIBUNE = Could ‘veto’ laws or actions if they negatively affected Plebians

Dictator

Appointed in times of emergency

• 6 month term of office (appointed by consuls)• Had powers of a king (in charge of military, could decree laws)• Decisons not subject to ‘veto’

comparing elections: Leaders

Greek democracy vs. Roman republic

Most Greek officials chosen randomly by lot

Roman officials voted on by Assembly

“Caesar!”

“Pompey!”

comparing elections: LawsGreek democracy vs. Roman republic

1. Council of 500proposed the laws2. Assembly discussed the laws3. Assembly voted on the laws

1. Consulsproposed the laws2. Senatediscussed the laws3. Senate/Assembly voted on the laws

“Direct democracy”“Representative

democracy”