The Roman Republic

Slide Show Presentation Made by Julie Marnell 2015

Between 700 and 471 BCE, Rome’s government developed. Etruscan kings were the earliest rulers. They were ousted and Rome was then ruled by Patricians.

Who were Patricians?

Patricians were the wealthy landowners. They were the noble families of Rome, representing the top two percent of the population and they dominated Rome’s early republican government.

Patricians

A republic is a form of government in which power rests with the people through their elected representatives.

Consuls (2) chief executive officers

• chosen each year by the assembly• Administered the government • Commanded the armies.

The Senate (300)

• Served for life• proposed laws and advised the

consuls

Roman Republic before 471 BCE

The Assembly

The government at this time was made up entirely of Patricians. What type of government is it?

The government at this time was made up entirely of Patricians. What type of government is it?

• comprised of patrician soldiers• appointed the consuls and made laws.• had less power than the Senate and was

controlled by the wealthiest citizens.

The government was an aristocracy because the patricians were wealthy landowners. 98 percent of the population was not represented in the government. In 479 BCE, the plebeians formed their own government.

Who were the Plebeians?

The majority of the population - the average citizens of Rome

Around 479 BCE, the Plebeians sought representation in the government. When the Patricians refused, the Plebeians withdrew from Rome and threatened not to serve Rome should a crisis occur. Since plebeians made up most of the military and worked on the farms, they effectively gained political power by threatening not to work.

This was called the Conflict of Orders.

Consuls (2) chief executive officers

• chosen each year by the assembly• Administered the government • Commanded the armies.

The Senate (300)

• Served for life• proposed laws and advised the

consuls

Roman Republic –before 471 BCE

The Centuriate Assembly

• comprised of high ranking patrician soldiers

• appointed the consuls and made laws.• had less power than the Senate and was

controlled by the wealthiest citizens.

The Tribunes

• Representatives representing Plebeians only. • Protected plebeians from unfair acts.

The Council of Plebs

• elected tribunes and later passed laws affecting Plebeians.

After 471 BCE, Plebeiansgained a voice in government:

451 BCE

First written law code was created called the Twelve Tables.

The laws were carved on twelve tables and hung in the Forumwhich was a public square in the center of the city.

Effect: All free citizens including plebeians had a right to the protections of the law.

By 287 BCE, the Plebeians were permitted to serve as Consuls and the Council of Plebs gained the power to pass laws on behalf of all Romans. The government of the Roman Republic was a representative democracy.

But who was not represented in this government?

Women and slaves

How is this different from Greek democracy?

Greek democracy was direct – all eligible citizens voted on all laws.There were no representatives.

Judicial System established in 366 BCE

Office of Praetor was created - • Carried out civil law for

Roman Citizens • Governed Rome when

consuls were away.

As Rome Grew, non-citizen population grew.

In 242BCE another Praetor was appointed to judge cases in which one or both people were non-citizens.

• Citizens were adult male landowners

• All citizens were required to serve in the army for 10 years

• Citizenship was offered to many non-Romans.

Citizenship

Effects of the Conflict of the Orders• Plebeians

could hold the highest offices of the state

• Plebeians could intermarry with the patricians

• Plebeians could pass laws binding on the entire Roman community

The Forum - Rome

These effects led to intermarriage between select plebeian and patrician families which created a new aristocracy in the Senate.

While it looked like A democracy…

Citations

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Maccari-Cicero.jpg/400px-Maccari-Cicero.jpg

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http://www.travel-destination-pictures.com/data/media/27/ancient-rome_7.jpg

http://ux.brookdalecc.edu/fac/socsci/Scales_of_justice2.jpg

Slide Show Presentation Made by Julie Marnell 2015

Early Roman RepublicWho were Patricians? ___________________________________________What was Rome’s earliest type of government? ___________________What did it change into before 471 BCE? __________________Who were the Plebeians?________________

Before 471 BCE: Draw a diagram of the Roman Republican government

Describe the Conflictof Orders:

After 471 BCE, whatPlebeian branches of government were added?What functions did they serve?

What were the twelveTables and why were theyimportant?

What is a Republic? __________________________

Name: __________________

Who could be a citizen in Rome?What was required for citizenship?

What were the effects of the Conflict of Orders? Do you think the RomanRepublic became a democracy? Support your answer.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Describe the role of Praetors.