Political Set-up of Ancient Rome WHI: SOL 6c Political Set-up of Ancient Rome

Birth of a Republic Rome began in 509 b.c.e Established a republic “that which belongs to the people” People chose some of the officials Meant to prevent any individual from gaining too much power

Features of the Roman Republic Representative democracy Assemblies Senate Consuls Tribunes Laws of Rome codified as Twelve Tables

Political Set-up (Senate) Senate made the laws and controlled the government 300 members All patricians (at first)

Political Set-up (Consuls) Each year, senate chose two consuls (patricians) who commanded the armies and supervised the business of the government Could only serve one term Had to approve each other’s decisions

Political Set-up (Assemblies) Assemblies were used to vote on legislative, electoral, and judicial matters. A gathering that was deemed to represent the entire Roman people. Conventions were simply forums where Romans met for unofficial purposes, for example, to hear a political speech. Voters always assembled first into Conventions to hear debates and conduct other business and then into Assemblies to actually vote.

Political Set-up (Tribunes) In time, plebeians gain the right to elect their own officials called tribunes 10 members to evaluate laws passed by the Senate The tribunes could veto, or block laws that they felt were harmful to the plebeian class Eventually the plebeians forced the senate to choose plebeian consuls and admit plebeians to the senate

Emergency Plan (Dictator) In the event of war or crisis, the senate would choose a dictator or ruler who has complete control over the government for 6 months Each dictator had control for 6months than had to give up power Ex. Cincinnatus (organized the army, led them to victory, attended celebrations then returned to his farm all in 15 days)

Law Code (Twelve Tables) 450 b.c. inscription of laws of Rome on 12 tablets Tablets were set-up in the Roman forum (marketplace) Plebeians had protested that citizens could not know what the laws were because they weren’t written down Laws of the Twelve Tables- codified set of laws applied to all citizens Made it possible for the plebeians to appeal a judgment handed down by a patrician judge

Expansion of the Republic Citizen-soldiers made up the army Small stipend, mostly glory and spoils of war Legion-about 5,000 men Roman soldiers valued courage, loyalty, and respect for authority

Expansion of the Republic Rome treats conquered people with justice Had to acknowledge Roman leadership, pay taxes, and supply soldiers Rome let them keep their cultures A few were granted full citizenship Some partial citizenship- ability to marry Romans and participate in Roman trade Built all weather roads, posted military throughout its territory