Download Cloze 11

Cloze 11.2
Magistrates
The first part of Rome’s government was made up of elected officials, or magistrates (MA-juhstrayts). The ____ most powerful magistrates in Rome were called ________ (KAHN-suhlz). The
_________ were elected each year to run the city and lead the army. There were ____ ________
so that no one person would be ____ powerful.
Assemblies and Tribunes
The second branch was made up of a group of elected officials called _____________. Elected by
the ___________, tribunes had the ability to _____ (VEE-toh), or prohibit, actions by other
officials. The Impact Today ______ means “I forbid” in ________, the Romans’ language. This
_____ power made tribunes very powerful in Rome’s government. To keep them from abusing
their power, each ________ remained in office only one year.
Checks and Balances
In addition to limiting terms of office, the Romans put other restrictions on their leaders’ power.
They did this by giving government officials the ability to _________ the powers of other
___________. For example, one consul could ______ the actions of the other. Laws proposed by
the Senate had to be approved by magistrates and ratified by assemblies. We call these methods
to __________ _________ checks and balances. Checks and balances keep any ______ part of a
government from becoming __________ or more influential than the _________.
Written Laws Keep Order
Rome’s first written law code was produced in 450 BC on ___ bronze _______, or tablets. These
tables were displayed in the ______, Rome’s public meeting place. Because of how it was
displayed, this code was called the _____ of the _________ Tables.
Over time, Rome’s leaders passed many new laws. Throughout their history, though the
Romans looked to the _____ of the ________ Tables as a symbol of Roman _____ and of their
________ as Roman __________.
The Roman Forum
The Roman _______, the place where the Law of the Twelve Tables was kept, was the _______
of the city of Rome. It was the site of important government buildings and temples. Government
and religion were only _____ of what made the Forum so important, though. It was also a popular
meeting place for Roman citizens. People met there to shop, chat, and gossip.
Review:
1. What is “Veto,” and who had the power to “Veto” things?
2. Compare the Law of the 12 Tables to the US. Constitution.
Law of The 12 Tables
U.S. Constitution
3. What is the purpose of “Checks and Balances?”