Download Ancient-Rome-Republic

Roman Republic
Monday
February 8, 2016
Homework:
Review materials; Greek Tests ReTests 2/12; Test 2/25; GrecoRoman Day 2/26
Focus:
Get out graphic organizer from
Friday; we will finish video.
Republic
• A government in which power belongs to
citizens, who govern themselves through
elected representatives.
• This government was formed in 509 BCE.
SPQR
SPQR is an initial for the Latin phrase, Senātus
Populusque Rōmānus, meaning "The Senate and the
People of Rome."
Republic – Citizens
All free male citizens could vote.
Patricians
• A wealthy, landowning
family who claimed to be
able to trace its roots
back to the founding of
Rome….also priests,
government officials.
Plebeians
• An ordinary, working
citizen of ancient Rome –
such as a farmer, artisan
or craftsperson.
• Between 494 and 287
BCE, the plebeians
struggled to gain equality
with the patricians.
A Constitution
• In the beginning, only
Patricians could hold office
and only Patrician Judges
knew and made up the laws.
• Plebeians revolted and
demanded reforms.
• First written code of laws, The
Law of the Twelve Tables, in
451 BCE.
• Applied to BOTH Patricians
and Plebeians
• Dealt with legal procedures,
building codes, punishment
and granted citizens
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS (trial by
jury, witnesses at trial, and
innocent until proven guilty
Roman Republic
Name of Branch
Who is involved?
Characteristics
Bases of Power
Limits on Power
Balanced Branches of Power
• The Roman Republic consisted of three
parts, which divided power :
The Magistrates
Or Consuls
The SENATE
The ASSEMBLY
Magistrates/Consuls
1. Magistrates were 20 elected officials
(Patricians and at least one Plebeian): the
two highest were Consuls, the most
powerful political position in Rome.
2. Oversaw the work of the government:
Acted as judges, Tax collectors, Urban
planners, Directed the army
3. Elected for 1 year
4. Both consuls had to agree before the
government could take action….each
consul could VETO or reject, the decisions
of the other.
5. In an emergency, consuls could choose
a “dictator” to make quick decisions
6. They choose the senators
Senate – “Seniors” = 300 Men
1. Most Powerful!!
2. Only Patricians
2. Held office for life
3.W ere advisors to the consuls/
government officials
4. Could approve/ disapprove (veto, or
I reject it) laws passed by the assembly
5. Decided how money should be
spent
6. Made decisions concerning relations
with foreign countries
7. Had influence over the Consuls and
the army
“Assembly” of Tribunes of
1,000 men each – 35 tribes
• Plebeians and can have some
Patricians = Council of Plebs…could
elect ten officials, called tribunes, or
tribunes of the plebs.
1. Protected the rights of Plebeians
2. Voted on laws
3. Could declare war or make peace
treaties
4. Elected the 2 consuls
5. Elected government officials
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.
1 = Basilica Julia
2 = Temple of Saturn
3 = Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus (on Capitoline hill)
4 = Tabularium (Archive Building)
5 = Temple of Vespasian
6 = Rostra
7 = Temple of Concord
8 = Triumphal Arch of Septimius Severus
Please Answer.
1. What are some Similarities
and Differences with Roman
Republic and Athenian
Democracy.
2.How did the Roman Republic
impact the U.S. government?
Was the Roman Republic
democratic? (How much of a
democracy was the Roman
Republic? Use the facts on
the Republic to determine
your answer.)