Ancient Rome

Roman Republic 509 B.C. – Rome develops a government called a republic Indirect democracy: citizens elect leaders who make government decisions Only free-born males can vote

Roman Republic Two groups competed for power Patricians: rich landowners who held most of the power Plebeians: common farmers, artisans, and merchants. They forced the patricians to give them more power

Republican Government Separate branches of government Two consuls commanded the army and led the gov’t Roman Senate: aristocrats who advised the consuls and controlled the money

Republican Government Two assemblies included other classes of people In times of crisis, a dictator was appointed for a 6 month term Expansion creates problems for the Roman republic

Republican Government Rome ends democracy and becomes an empire under Augustus in 27 B.C.

Roman Law Rome’s legal principles influence the growth of democracy throughout the Western world Rome establishes a written legal code

Written Legal Code Twelve Tablets (451 B.C.): assured citizens protection under the law Justinian’s Code (528 A.D.): compiled all laws made since the earlier code

Written Legal Code Written laws establish the idea of “a government of laws, not of men” (Aristotle)