Download 11/20 Aim: How was the government of Rome similar

ROMAN REPUBLIC

Was not a static institution but
rather a continually evolving
structure
 Political participation and
eligibility to run for office
widened over time
 Powers of various
assemblies and elected
officials also changed with
time
 But it also became
increasingly corrupt
35 Tribes

“each (Tribe) was headed by a tribune, and these tribunes
represented their respective tribes in all civil, religious, and
military affairs”
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, 1875.
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People of the city of Rome itself, typically belonged to the
four urban tribes, which were the largest and had the least
political power. These tribes were named for districts of
the city.
Landowners and aristocracy traditionally belonged to the
31 smaller rural tribes.
Because each tribe had 1 vote, the less people in your
tribe, the more power your voice had.
The Patricians
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Original aristocracy of Rome
 Had been distinguished citizens
who advised Latin kings
 Played leading role in
overthrowing Etruscans
Once the Etruscans were driven out
the patricians declared Rome a
republic. They served in the Senate
and were very privileged.
Wealth based primarily on ownership
of farmland and/or urban real estate
 Originally possessed monopoly on
membership in Senate and various
elected offices
The Plebeians

Free men who could not trace their ancestry back to advisors of
Latin kings
 Plebeians were a class of citizens who were usually non
aristocratic farmers, artisans and shopkeepers, and some were
wealthy.
 They had served in the army under Etruscans
 Etruscans had promoted their interests and protected their
civil status
 With overthrow of Etruscans they lost power
 Patricians would not let them share in government
They did have rights
•such as the right to serve in the
Assembly
• and the right to vote, trade, hold
property, and administer judicial
self defense.
The Clients and the
Slaves
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The Clients were peasant farmers
who rented land. They would
follow a certain patron and
perform political duties, including
assassinations, and lying in court,
if it would help further his patron's
political career.
In return, the client often received
money, a job, or an invitation to
dinner at the patron's house. A
dinner invitation may not seem
like much to us today, but in
Roman times it could mean a
great place in society if he
appeared at the right dinner
parties.
His prestige in society would be
much more enhanced if he were
seen by the rich and famous at
only one dinner party hosted by a
powerful patron.
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This patron-client relationship led
to many interesting situations in
ancient Rome. Sometimes
candidates for various government
magistracies would travel around
Rome with several hundred or
even a few thousand of their
clients.
Lastly were the Slaves, who had
no freedom or rights whatsoever
unless it was bestowed upon them
by their master.
Patricians versus
Plebeians

A series of protests by the plebeians
forced the patricians to give rights to the
assembly.
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Originally the plebeians were authorized two
tribunes to serve in the senate, but that
number eventually rose to ten
Tribunes had the power to intervene in all
political matters and to veto measures they
thought were unfair
Increased
Representation for
Plebeians

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During the 4th Century, plebeians became
eligible to be elected senators and gained the
right to have one of the consuls come from their
ranks (Tribune)
By the early 3rd Century, plebeian-dominated
assemblies won the power to make decisions
binding on all of Rome
Republican Rome was gradually broadening the
base of political participation
The Twelve Tables

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Written Laws – victory for plebeians
Said that all free citizens had equal protection
under the law.
(They weren’t really tables, but
12 tablets with written laws.)
Roman Law
• All
citizens had the right to equal treatment
under the law.
•A
person was considered innocent until
proven guilty.
• The
burden of proof rested with the
accuser rather than the accused person.
• Any
law that seemed unreasonable or
grossly unfair could be set aside.
Roman Republic
Senate

The Senate was a select counsel of 300 men who served for life.
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Plebeians will later be able to be elected to the senate
The senate's principal role was as an advisory council to the two
Roman consuls on matters of foreign and military policy,
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exercised a great deal of influence over the two consuls.
The senate also managed civil administration within the city.
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Aristocrat branch of Rome
Chosen as members because of how important their family was.
They were mainly very conservative, very privileged, very wealthy, and
owned lots of land.
They chose the consuls who ruled Rome.
only the senate could authorize the appropriation of public monies from the
treasury
In addition, the senate would try individuals accused of political
crimes (such as treason).
Consulship
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Consuls
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Like Kings commanded the army and
government
Limits on power
1 year term
 Must return to the senate after term is up
 Could not be reelected for 10 years
 Veto power over other consul
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Modern day examples
TRIBAL ASSEMBLY
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Primary function was to pass laws
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Laws were binding to all in Rome
Voting also not done on an individual basis
 Done according to tribe
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35 in all; each having one vote
Rich and poor fairly equally distributed in each tribe
Two stumbling blocks
 Many members of Head Count did not attend meetings because that meant taking off
work
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Attendance at Assembly therefore tended to be dominated by the wealthy
and their clients
Assembly could not do anything without the collaboration of a tribune

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Who only could introduce legislation
Any tribune of the ten could veto legislative proposal

All ten had to agree before a bill became law
 Not hard for wealthy to find one tribune to do their dirty work for them
Rome
The United States
Executive
2 consuls, elected by assembly for
one year. Chief executives of the
government and commanders in chief
of the army (patrician class)
* A dictator could be appointed in
time of crisis!
A president elected by the people
for 4 years. Chief executive of the
government and commander in
chief of the army
Legislative
Senate of 300 members, chosen from
patrician class (wealthy class) for life.
Controls foreign and financial policies.
Senate of 100 members, elected by
people for 6 year terms, make laws,
advise president on foreign policy.
Centuriate Assembly—all citizen soldiers
are members for life, selects consuls and
makes laws
Tribal Assembly—citizens grouped
according to where they live for life, elects
tribunes and makes laws.
House of Representatives 435
members, elected by people for 2
yrs, makes laws
Judicial
8 judges chosen for one year by
Centuriate Assembly. 2 oversee
and civil and criminal courts
Supreme Court, 9 justices appointed
for life, highest court, hears civil and
criminal appeals cases.
Legal Code
12 Tables—list of rules that were
the basis of Roman legal System
U.S Constitution – Basic law of US
Citizenship
Patritians - All land owning adult males
*Plebeians (working class, poor Romans)
were considered citizens but did not have
All natural born or naturalized
persons.
Close: Describe 3 ways in which the
government of the Roman Republic
was similar to our own. Describe 2
ways in which it differed.
How was the government of Rome similar to
the government of the United States?
1 paragraph summary of Roman
Republic. Include comparison to
U.S. government