Download The Rise of the Roman Republic DIRECTIONS: Please complete all

The Rise of the Roman Republic
DIRECTIONS: Please complete all of the following sections and questions using the reading and the
classroom “Roman Mosaic” activity.
1) Define “republic”- A form of government with elected leaders.
2) Who was in power before Rome became a republic? The Etruscan kings.
3) Fill in the chart below to explain the differences between patricians and plebeians.
Group
Responsibilities in Rome
Patricians
Held all of the power and
wealth. Controlled the most
valuable land. Held the
important military and
religious offices.
Plebeians
Mostly peasants, laborers,
craftspeople, and
shopkeepers. Did most of
the hard work of Rome.
Could not be priests or
government officials. Little
say in gov’t and were forced
to serve in the army.
% of the
Population
5%
Upper or
Lower Class?
Upper Class
Picture or Symbol to
Represent Each Group
Drawings will vary.
95%
Lower Class
Drawings will vary.
4) The reading states “In a republic, elected officials work for the interests of the people.” Why would
a plebeian disagree with this statement? The “people” in this case meant only the patricians.
5) Write three facts to describe the Senate in Rome. -Made up of 300 men -Served for life
-Only patricians at first -Appointed other gov’t officials and served as judges.
6) How many consuls were there and what was their responsibility? There were two consuls. Their
responsibility was to share command of the army and to be advised by the consuls.
7) If you were a patrician, why would you prefer that laws not be written down? If laws are not
written down, then you can change and interpret the laws to benefit yourself.
8) What caused the Conflict of the Orders and what did the plebeians do to get the patricians’
attention? It was caused by the plebeians’ demand for more political rights. In 494 BC, the
plebeians marched out of the city of Rome to demand more power. This plunged the city into
crisis and forced the patricians to compromise and give up some of their power.
9) In four sentences, explain how the conflict changed things for the plebeians. Make sure you use
the words or phrases tribunes, veto, Council of the Plebs, and laws being written down.
Due to the crisis, the patricians agreed to allow the plebeians to elect officials to the Tribunes of the
Plebs, who spoke to the consuls and the Senate on behalf of the plebeians. Later, the tribunes gained
the power to veto or overrule actions of the Senate. Following this, the plebeians could elect a lawmaking
body known as the Council of Plebs, but this body could only make laws for the plebeians. Eventually,
the plebeians earned the right to have the laws written down and this set of laws was known as the
Twelve Tables.