6.53 Roman Republic Structure

Discover Roman Republic government: Senate, Consuls, social classes, and the rule of law!

Roman Republic Watch the video so you can answer the following questions. If the Roman government wanted to spend money building new roads, who would have to approve the funds? Senate Consuls Tribunes What was the name of the group of leaders who advised and guided the consuls? Senate Plebeians Governors How was Roman government different before the Twelve Tables were created? patricians were the only ones receiving punishments before the Twelve Tables plebeians did not know the laws before the Twelve Tables no one had to follow the laws before the Twelve Tables How are the United States and the Roman Republic alike?Copy and paste the details in the correct part of the diagram:has a king with absolute powerhas citizens vote for representativeshas two branches of government Directions: Read the passage below and then answer the questions. It all began when the Romans overthrew the Etruscan monarchy in 509 B.C.E. The Etruscan king had ruled over the Romans for hundreds of years.The Romans then established a republic, a government in which citizens elected representatives to rule on their behalf. A republic is different from a democracy. In a direct democracy (such as in Athens, Greece) every citizen was expected to play an active role in government. In a republic, citizens vote for someone (a representative) to make laws for them. Which of the following best defines a republic government? citizens elect representatives to rule for them citizens vote directly on every law citizens elect a king with absolute power Roman Citizenship The Roman concept of the citizen evolved during the Roman Republic and changed significantly during the later Roman Empire. After the Romans freed themselves from the Etruscans, they established a republic, and all males over 15 who were descended from the original tribes of Rome became citizens. Citizens of Rome distinguished themselves from slaves and other noncitizens by wearing a toga; most wore a white toga.Citizenship varied greatly. The full citizen could vote, marry freeborn persons, and practice commerce (trade). Some citizens were not allowed to vote or hold public office, but maintained the other rights. A third type of citizen could vote and practice commerce, but could not hold office or marry freeborn women.In the late Republic, male slaves who were granted their freedom could become full citizens. Around 90 B.C.E., non-Roman allies of the Republic gained the rights of citizenship, and by 212 C.E, under the Edict of Caracalla, all free people of the Roman Empire could become citizens. The aristocracy (wealthy class) dominated the early Roman Republic. In Roman society, the aristocrats were known as patricians. The highest positions in the government were held by two consuls, or leaders, who ruled the Roman Republic. A senate composed of patricians elected these consuls. At this time, lower-class citizens, or plebeians, had virtually no say in the government. Both men and women were citizens in the Roman Republic, but only men could vote.Tradition dictated that patricians and plebeians should be strictly separated; marriage between the two classes was even prohibited. Over time, the plebeians elected their own representatives, called tribunes, who gained the power to veto measures passed by the senate. Gradually, the plebeians obtained even more power and eventually could hold the position of consul. Despite these changes, though, the patricians were still able to use their wealth to buy control and influence over elected leaders. Which of the following statements accurately defines Rome's two social classes? plebeians included the wealthy (aristocrats); patricians were the lower-class people with no say in government patricians included the wealthy (aristocrats); plebeians were the lower-class people with no say in government Which group of elected officials had the power to veto and were representatives for the plebeian class? consuls aristocrats governors tribunes The Roman Senate The history of the Roman Senate goes as far back as the history of Rome itself. It was first created as a 100-member advisory group for the Roman kings. Later kings expanded the group to 300 members. When the kings were expelled from Rome and the Republic was formed, the Senate became the most powerful governing body. Instead of advising the head of state, it elected the chief executives, called consuls.Senators were, for centuries, strictly from the patrician class. They practiced the skills of rhetoric and oratory to persuade other members of the ruling body. The Senate convened and passed laws in the curia, a large building on the grounds of the Roman Forum.By the 3rd century B.C.E., Rome had conquered vast territories, and the powerful senators sent armies, negotiated terms of treaties, and had total control over the financial matters of the Republic.Senatorial control was eventually challenged by Dictator Sulla around 82 B.C.E. Sulla had hundreds of senators murdered, increased the Senate's membership to 600, and installed many nonpatricians as senators. Julius Caesar raised the number to 900 (it was reduced after his assassination). After the creation of the Roman Empire in 27 B.C.E., the Senate became weakened under strong emperors who often forcefully coerced this ruling body. Although it survived until the fall of Rome, the Roman Senate had become merely a ceremonial body of wealthy, intelligent men with no power to rule. Occasionally, an emergency situation (such as a war) arose that required the decisive leadership of one individual. Under these circumstances, the Senate and the consuls could appoint a temporary dictator to rule for a limited time until the crisis was resolved. The position of dictator was very undemocratic in nature. Indeed, a dictator had all the power, made decisions without any approval, and had full control over the military.The best example of an ideal dictator was a Roman citizen named Cincinnatus. During a severe military emergency, the Roman Senate called Cincinnatus from his farm to serve as dictator and to lead the Roman army. When Cincinnatus stepped down from the dictatorship and returned to his farm only 15 days after he successfully defeated Rome's enemies, the republican leaders resumed control over Rome. During what times would the senate elect a dictator in Rome? Cincinnatus left his farm to serve as dictator, defeated the enemy, returned home and to his farm, immediately giving up power asdictator. The Twelve Tables One of the innovations of the Roman Republic was the notion of equality under the law. In 449 B.C.E., government leaders carved some of Rome's most important laws into 12 great tablets. The Twelve Tables, as they came to be known, were the first Roman laws put in writing. Although the laws were rather harsh by today's standards, they did guarantee every citizen equal treatment under the law. The rule of law is one of the key ideas that the Romans passed on to the world. The rule of law means that the law applies to everyone equally. It also means that the legal system should treat everyone the same way. ws from the Twelve Tables· Females shall remain in guardianship even when they have attained their majority.· It is permitted to gather fruit falling down on another man's farm.· If any person has sung or composed against another person a song such as was causing slander or insult to another, he shall be clubbed to death.With respect to the law and citizenship, the Romans took a unique approach to the lands that they conquered. Rather than rule those people as conquered subjects, the Romans invited them to become citizens. These people then became a part of Rome, rather than enemies fighting against it. Naturally, these new citizens received the same legal rights as everyone else. Match the correct vocabulary word with its definition Twelve Tables Rome's first code of laws Republic A form of government the Romans created in 509 BC that allowed citizens to vote for elected representatives. Dictator A ruler who had ultimate power, made decisions without any approval, and had full control of the military. Tribunes Representatives elected by plebeians to veto measures passed by the senate. Patricians The aristocrats of Roman society. Plebeians Lower-class citizens who had no say in the government.