Download The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic
Citizens of Rome: Divided into 2 Classes
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Assembly
Senate
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Magistrates
Balanced Government
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Consuls
Define Republic:
Tribunes
Complete the sentences started by each Roman Social class. In the first person, briefly describe each classes role in government.
I am a Plebeian and I work for a living...
I am a Patrician and I am part of the aristocracy, or the wealthy landowners…
We are the two Consuls. We govern the city and…
As members of the Assembly, we…
As members of the Senate, we…
I am a Plebeian and I work for a living...
Plebeians
The plebeians were the lower class. Nicknamed "plebs", the plebeians included everyone in
ancient Rome (except for the nobility, the patricians) from well-to-do tradesmen all the way
down to the very poor. However, if they could afford it, the Plebs would own slaves to do
the work.
The family was structured with the oldest male as the head of the family. That could be the
father, the grandfather, or perhaps even an uncle. Everybody in one family lived under one
roof. Women had no authority except in the home. Old age was honored. The citizens of
Rome were adult freemen from both classes - plebs and patricians. Women, children, and
slaves were not citizens. People from all classes considered themselves Romans.
Many plebeians lived in apartment houses called flats. Some the apartments were above or
behind their shops. Their own apartments might be quite roomy, sanitary and pleasant,
occasionally with running water. In the poorer apartment houses, an entire plebeian family
(grandparents, parents, children) might all be crowded into one room, without running
water. They had to haul their water in from public facilities. They did not have toilets. They
had to use public latrines (toilets). The lower class Romans (plebeians) might have a
breakfast of bread, dry or dipped in wine, and water. Sometimes olives, cheese, or raisins
were sprinkled on the bread.
I am a Patrician and I am part of the aristocracy, or the
wealthy landowners…
Patrician
The aristocratic landowners who held most of the power; the Patricians inherited
their power and social status. Being direct descendants of the founders of Rome
they have the authority to make laws for Rome and its people.
The family was structured with the oldest male as the head of the family. That could
be the father, the grandfather, or perhaps even an uncle. Everybody in one family lived
under one roof. Women had no authority except in the home. Old age was honored.
Nearly all Patricians own slaves.
A wealthy plebeian family and a wealthy patrician family did not meet socially. Under
the kings, it was illegal for a pleb and a patrician to marry. In 445 BCE, about 60 years
after the Roman Republic was formed, a new law was written that said it was no
longer illegal for plebs and patricians to marry.
The rich had beautiful mosaics on the floors of their home. They wore lots of jewelry
made of gold and gemstones. They had beautiful clothing. They enjoyed a great deal of
leisure time.
We are the two Consuls. We govern the city
and…
Consuls
In place of a king, Rome had two officials called Consuls. Like kings,
they commanded the army and directed the government. Members of
the Senate were not elected. They were chosen by the Consuls. Once
chosen, they served for life. There were 300 seats in the Senate. When a
seat opened, a new Senator was selected by the current Consuls.
However, their power was limited. The consul’s term was only one year
and could not be re-elected until ten years passed. Each consul had the
power to veto, or overrule, the other’s decision.
Consul was the highest position of authority for a Patrician. Each Consul
was selected by the Assembly, which was controlled by the Plebeians.
As members of the Assembly, we…
The Assembly
The Assembly was composed of all the Plebeians citizens of
Rome, the common man. The Assembly did not have a
building. It was the right of the common man to assemble
in the Forum and vote.
In the beginning, the Assembly had very limited power.
They could vote for or suggest laws, but the Senate could
block their decisions. The Assembly could vote to declare
war, but again, the Senate could override them.
However, the Assembly had one power that was very
impressive - it was the Assembly who voted each year on
which two members of the Senate would serve as Consuls.
As a noble, if you wanted to rise to the level of Consul, the
highest position in government under the Republic, you
needed to gain the support of the plebeian class. Since it
was the Consuls who filled empty seats in the Senate, if the
Assembly chose their Consuls well, they could slowly gain
power in government by putting people in charge who
were sympathetic to their needs.
As members of the Senate, we…
The Senate
The Senate was composed of leaders from the Patricians,
the noble and wealthy families of ancient Rome. They
were the law makers. Members of the Senate were not
elected. They were chosen by the Consuls. Once chosen,
they served for life. There were 300 seats in the Senate.
When a seat opened, a new Senator was selected by the
current Consuls.
By making membership for life, the senate provided
stability and the Senate members’ exercised enormous
influence. Their job was to provide advice to the Consuls
as well as Assembly members.
The Senate controlled spending of the tax monies,
approved or disapproved laws made by the Assembly, and
made decisions concerning relationships with foreign
powers.
The Plebeian Tribune is also known as the tribune of the people or the tribune of
the plebs. The plebeian tribune had no military function, but was strictly a powerful
political office. The tribune had the power to help the people, which meant he had
the power of the veto laws made by the Senate.
The number of plebeian tribunes varied. It is believed there were originally only 2,
for a short time, after which there were 5. The office of plebeian tribune was
created in 494 B.C., after the First Secession of the Plebeians. The Tribunes were
elected by the Assembly and their job was to make sure that the people were being
treated fairly.
Roman magistrates were elected officials. Roman magistrates held power, either in
the form of imperium or potestas, military and/or civil that might be limited to
either inside or outside the city of Rome. Many of the magistrates became
members of the Roman Senate by virtue of having held office. Most magistrates
were elected for the period of a single year. Before re-election, a specified period
of time had to elapse. Candidates for an office were expected to have held lower
ranked offices previously. There were age requirements, as well.
Examples of magistrate positions are Tribunes or Consul, and it is their job to keep
law and order.