Download The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic
What legacies were left to Western Society by the Romans?
• 509BC: a group of rich nobles (Patricians) overthrow Rome’s king
• Patricians form a republic, in which “citizens” can vote for
representatives in the Senate (only Patricians)
• The Senate would propose and vote on laws
• Most citizens are Plebeians (farmers & merchants)
• The Plebeians want more say in the government
• Plebeians force the writing down of Roman laws (12 tables)
•
All citizens would have the right to equal protection under the law
• Except slaves who had no citizenship rights
Patricians
Plebeians
•
Next, Plebeians are allowed to serve in the government
• Senate = Patricians
• Two Assemblies = Plebeians
• However, Senate had more power
Legal Legacies of Rome
1) All citizens are equal under the law
2) People are innocent until proven guilty
3) The accuser must prove their case, not the accused
4) Unreasonable or unfair laws would be set aside
• Romans believed in a government of laws and not of men
• 1000 years later Emperor Justinian ordered the writing down of all laws
• The Justinian Code contained 5,000 Roman Laws
• The code was used in all
legal matters - similar to
the legal code be use today
Other Roman Legacies
1. Romans = Republic = Representative Government (3 R’s)
2. Stadiums
3. Downtowns
4. Aqueducts
5. Language 6. Religion 7. Calendar 8. Architecture