Roman Republic (509 BCE) 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 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

Patricians vs. Plebians The internal history of the Roman Republic consisted of constant tension and feuds between the patricians and the plebeians Patricians Senatorial aristocracy Landowning aristocracy From Latin word ‘patres’ which means father Plebeians People Landless poor From Latin word ‘plebs’ which means common people 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.

Government in The Roman Republic 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 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)

Magistrates 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

Plebian Tribal Council and Tribunes 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