The Roman Republic: 509 BCE - 27 BCE

Early Roman Government Patricians Senate Foreign and Domestic Policies Led by 2 consuls Had Veto Power Served 1 year total Enforced the laws of Rome Controlled the Army

Class System = = = = = = Patricians A group of wealthy land owners Plebeians = = Common people. Farmers, artisans, small merchants Prisoners of war, plebeians in too much debt. Not Citizens and could not vote! = = Slaves

PATRICIANS Claimed to be descendants of the original senators appointed by the kings Aristocratic, governing class Only they could be Consuls, other magistrates and senators

PLEBEIANS Were non-Patrician large landowners Were less wealthy landowners Were artisans, merchants and small farmers

Social and Political Order Although both Patricians and Plebeians were Roman citizens, their rights were different. Both Patricians and Plebeians could vote. Both had the right to make legal contracts, and marry, but intermarriage between the classes was not allowed. Patricians were the only ones allowed to hold office.

The Twelve Tables, 450 BCE Providing political and social rights for the plebeians.

Social and Political Order In the later years of the Republic the Plebeians became more powerful – Tribute had the power of VETO They created a new assembly (Council of Plebs) in 471. New leaders called Tribunes protected the Plebeians. A new law allowed intermarriage. In 278 B.C.E. the Council received the right to pass laws for all Romans.

Roman Women Later: Rights Rights Social Roles They were citizens They could testify in court They could not vote or hold office Later: They could own property They could create their own will Shared in household decisions Supervised children and slaves - Could attend public festivals and the theater

The Apian Way

Roman Aqueducts

The Colosseum

ROMAN NAMES FOR THE GREEK PANTHEON THEY BORROWED! Religion Polytheistic – worshipped many gods Vesta Goddess of hearth Prayed to daily Jupiter Ruler of the Universe Venus Mars Goddess of love God of war ROMAN NAMES FOR THE GREEK PANTHEON THEY BORROWED!