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S.P.Q.R. Senatus Populusque Romanus
The
Roman
Forum
The forum was the
center of political,
commercial and
judicial life in ancient
Rome. The largest
buildings were the
basilicas, where legal
cases were heard.
The Roman Forum
• Palatine Hill valley
drained
• Public meeting and
speaking place & heart of
political life.
• The Forum was the main
marketplace and business
center.
•
****LATER ****
The Twelve Tables were
hung in the Forum
The Twelve Tables = Roman Law
The Patricians
• Referred to elite rich families in
ancient Rome.
• Patricians were the aristocrats of
Rome, took over after kings were
expelled in 509 B.C.
• The upper class
• Controlled the Senate and
Republic.
• Ruled unjustly, treated Plebeians
unfairly
• Lived within Rome, fortified
The Plebeians
• The working/ poor class of
Rome.
– Farmers, metal workers, artisans,
and merchants.
• Lived in the countryside
• People from other conquered
cities
• In debt after wars
• Dependent on the Patricians
• Had voting power but no control
of the Republic. Held no office.
• Not fairly represented.
Republican
Form of
Government
The Roman
government was a
republic.
In a republic, citizens
can choose their
leaders.
The republic was
established in 509 B.C.
and lasted nearly 500
years.
One difference between
the Roman republic and
the Greek democracy
was that in Greece all
men could vote, but in
Rome, only men with
money and property
could vote.
Another difference
between the Roman
republic and the Greek
democracy was that in
Greece all men voted on
every law and in Rome the
wealthy elected
representatives to make
laws for everyone.
This type of democracy
is called a
representative
democracy.
2 Consuls
• 2 officials of Rome (Patricians), replaced the King
• Role :Commanded the army and Governed the
City.
• Limited power
• Term: 1 year
• No reelection for 10 years
• Can overrule the other consul's decision
• There are 2 consuls, so no one person would
become to powerful
The Magistrates
• Role: Officials who were appointed to be judges, to
look after the cities finances and other jobs.
• Had power over all citizens and the power to veto
other officials with equal or lesser power.
• Term: 1 year in office
The Tribunes = Forms in 494BC
• Role: Protected the plebeian’s rights and
from unfair treatment.
• Role: Approved or rejected laws & declared
war.
• Allowed to VETO actions of senators and
other officials
• VETO means “I forbid” in Latin
• Voice of the common people.
• The veto made the Tribunes powerful
• Term: Only in office for 1 year
The Senate
•
•
•
•
•
300 members,
Rich & powerful Romans
Role: Gave advice to the Consuls
Influence of domestic and foreign policy
Patricians only allowed until Plebeians fought
for more rights and political influence.
• Term: Membership for life.
• When Magistrates retired they became
members of the Senate.
How was the
Roman
government
organized?
Since the Romans did
not want one man to
make all of the laws,
they decided to balance
the power of the
government between
three branches:
the executive
branch,
the legislative
branch,
and
the judicial branch.
Executive
Branch
The two leaders of the
executive branch, the
consuls, were elected for
just one year by the
upper class
.
They supervised
the Senate and
ordered the Roman
army during wars.
Other members of the
executive branch were
the tax collectors,
mayors, city police, and
other people in
positions of power in
cities.
Legislative
Branch
The most powerful
part of the
legislative branch
was the Senate.
.
The Senate was a
group of about 300
male citizens who
owned land.
They could tell the
consuls how much
money they could
spend and on what.
These men were
appointed by the
consuls.
Judicial
Branch
The judicial
branch had six
judges who were
elected every two
years.
They were in charge
of deciding
punishments that
criminals would
receive.
Their job was
similar to the job
that judges have
today in the United
States.
Would I have
been able to vote
in Rome?
In ancient Rome, you
were not allowed to
vote on laws or elect
leaders of the
government until you
were an adult.
Even then, only men
who owned land were
allowed to have a say in
the laws.
Do as the Romans Do!
The government of the Roman
Republic was one of its greatest
strengths. When the founders of the
United States sat down to plan our
government, they copied many
elements of the Roman system. Like
the Romans, we elect our leaders. Our
government also has three branches—
the president, Congress, and the federal
court system. The powers of these
branches are set forth in our
Constitution, just like the Roman
officials’ powers were. Our
government also has a system of
checks and balances to prevent any one
branch from becoming too strong. For
example, Congress can refuse to give
the president money to pay for
programs. Like the Romans, Americans
have a civic duty to participate in the
government to help keep it as strong as
it can be.