2. Resulted from discontent of
tyrannical Etruscan monarchy
In a republic, citizens elect leaders to
run their government.
SPQR = Senatus Populusque
Romanus or the Senate and the
People of Rome
A combination of aristocracy,
oligarchy and democracy
3. 753 to 509 BCE = Roman Monarchy
244 years
509 to 27 BCE = Roman Republic
536 years
27 BCE to 476 CE = Roman Empire
449 years
4. New Organization
Consuls = Leaders chosen to replace kings
Assembly = Ordinary citizens who elected the consuls
Senate = Rich men who advised the consuls
Although citizens elected their own representatives,
the Republic was NOT a democracy… every citizen
did not have equal power
Divided into 2 classes: patricians and plebians
6. The internal history of the Roman Republic
consisted of constant tension and feuds between
the patricians and the plebeians
Patricians Plebeians
Senatorial People
aristocracy Landless poor
Landowning From Latin word
aristocracy ‘plebs’ which
From Latin word means common
‘patres’ which people
means father
7. Patrician Order
Wealthiest 10% of Rome’s population
Only ones who could run for political office
(magistrates)
Served as priests, lawyers and judges
Granted financial and legal protection to their clients
Plebians, newcomers to Rome, ex-slaves, people who
had left their families
Held the Roman imperium (power of law and military
command)
8. Plebians
The other 90% who did the “heavy lifting” in society
Till the land, herd livestock, work as craftsmen,
tradesmen, and labourers
No right of appeal against decision of Patrician
government since no laws were codified or published
Relied upon the Patricians exclusively for
expertise/leadership
Defended Rome as soldiers
9. The Plebians’ Trump Card
Could engage in secession to get what they wanted
Go on strike and refuse to defend Rome
The Plebians went on strike 5 different times
10. 1. Read Polybius' description of the
Roman constitution to learn more
about the government of the republic
Note the powers and limitations of the
three divisions of government
Include one direct quote for each
11. Co-Consuls Senate Tribunes
(Plebian
Council)
Power
Limitations
Quote
12. The Roman Senate
council of most powerful men in Rome
controlled the state budget and foreign affairs
owned most of the land
chosen for life
13. Consul
most powerful magistrates were the two consuls, or Chief
Magistrates of State
both had the power to veto (Latin for “I forbid”) each other
in important decisions
elected by the patricians for a term of one year
extensive legislative, judicial power
usually commanded the army
Scipio Africanus the Elder Lucius Junius Brutus
Cicero
14. membership restricted to non-senatorial males
2 plebeian tribunes elected and could veto decisions made
by consuls
eventually increased to 10 tribunes
the establishment of Tribunes became powerful
interpreters of the peoples’ wishes
Notas del editor
When the last Etruscan king was thrown out of Rome in 509 B.C., Roman leaders decided to begin a very new form of government - a republic . In a republic, citizens elect leaders to run their government. In Rome, the leaders chosen to replace the king were called consuls . These consuls were elected by a group of ordinary citizens known as an assembly , and the consuls were given advice by a group of rich people known as the Senate . Although the citizens elected their own representatives, the Roman Republic was not a democracy because not every citizen had equal power. Citizens were divided into two classes, patricians and plebeians . A Roman was born into their class. As citizens, both patricians and plebeians had the right to vote. However, only patricians had the right to hold any political, military or religious offices. All power was in the hands of the patricians. Senate: latin for ‘old men’. Early kings took advice from Senate (latin for ‘old men’ or council of elders
As citizens, both patricians and plebeians had the right to vote. However, only patricians had the right to hold any political, military or religious offices. All power was in the hands of the patricians. Patres= father; from the days before the Etruscans, each village chief had been advised by the heads of the families in the village The common people of Rome were very angry over harsh treatment by the rich and powerful people of Rome, so they had moved out of the city. The leaders knew that their city was in serious danger unless the common people returned. So they agreed to give the people more rights. This struggle between the Roman leaders and the common people continued for 200 years as the common people of Rome tried to gain equal rights.
In Rome, the leaders chosen to replace the king were called consuls . These consuls were elected by a group of ordinary citizens known as an assembly , and the consuls were given advice by a group of rich people known as the Senate . Although the citizens elected their own representatives, the Roman Republic was not a democracy because not every citizen had equal power. Citizens were divided into two classes, patricians and plebeians . A Roman was born into their class. Consuls= two elected rulers (they were elected by the patricians for a one year term; with each consul ruling for a month at a time at home; at war they commanded the army on alternative days -consuls appointed assistants (qoaestors) and they were later elected by the patricians. They looked after finances of RR -early on, patricians hled almost all the power in Rome as they could only vote for consuls and their assembly (Senate) could decide on laws. The Senate also advised the consuls. -pleibians were not pleased and demanded they were represented; eventually got a council of their own (concilium plebs)
Cicero was elected Consul for the year 63 BC. His co-consul for the year, Gaius Antonius Hybrida , played a minor role. During his year in office he thwarted a conspiracy centred on assassinating him and overthrowing the Roman Republic with the help of foreign armed forces. Cicero procured a Senatus Consultum de Re Publica Defendenda (a declaration of martial law ), and he drove Catiline from the city with four vehement speeches (the Catiline Orations ), which to this day remain outstanding examples of his rhetorical style. Cicero received the honorific " Pater Patriae " for his efforts to suppress the conspiracy, but lived thereafter in fear of trial or exile for having put Roman citizens to death without trial (because during a time of martial law) Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (235–183 BC), also known as Scipio Africanus and Scipio the Elder , was a general in the Second Punic War and statesman of the Roman Republic . He was best known for defeating Hannibal at the final battle of the Second Punic War at Zama, a feat that earned him the agnomen Africanus , the nickname "the Roman Hannibal", as well as recognition as one of the finest commanders in military history. Brutus. Prior to the establishment of the Roman Republic, Rome had been ruled by kings. Brutus led the revolt that overthrew the last king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, after the rape of the noblewoman (and kinswoman of Brutus) Lucretia at the hands of Tarquin's son Sextus Tarquinius. According to Livy, Brutus had a number of grievances against the king, amongst them was the fact that Tarquin had orchestrated the murder of his brother. Brutus gained the trust of Tarquin's family by feigning slow-wittedness (in Latin brutus translates to dullard), thereby allowing the Tarquins to underestimate him as a potential threat