THE ROMAN REPUBLIC http://safeshare.tv/w/IgNEVwotXx http://safeshare.tv/w/xoZEUWlOXW

ROMAN SOCIETY http://safeshare.tv/v/clmPMqeQs_I As Rome developed into a complex civilization, two classes arose. Inequalities between them would lead to conflict. This conflict would eventually define Roman citizenship and the rights of citizens under Roman law. LOWER CLASS PLEBEIANS Mostly common farmers Male citizens could vote Couldn’t hold government office. UPPER CLASS PATRICIANS Wealthy Landowners Held all the highest government positions. Resentment over the patricians’ power caused tension and the plebeians rebelled. Finally, the patricians passed a written constitution, called the Twelve Tables, around 450 B.C. The Twelve Tables established the basic rights and duties for Roman citizens.

Senatus Populusque Romanus The Senate and the People of Rome

REPUBLICAN GOVNERMNENT The leaders of the Roman Republic established a tripartite government. This type had three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. EXECUTIVE: Enforces the country’s laws. LEGISLATIVE: Makes the laws. JUDICIAL: Interprets the laws in court. SOUND FAMILIAR?

Included the Senate and the assemblies. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Included the Senate and the assemblies. Senate: powerful body of 300 members that advised Roman leaders. Most were Patricians Assemblies: mainly made of plebeians. JUDICIAL BRANCH 8 judges Each serve for 1 year Oversaw courts Governed provinces. EXECUTIVE BRANCH Two CONSULS led the executive branch They commanded the army and directed the government. Each consul had the power to veto the other. In times of crisis (war for example) the consuls could choose a dictator (a leader with absolute power). WHAT PROBLEMS COULD THIS TYPE OF THINKING WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH LEAD TO? In 460 B.C., Cincinnatus was made a dictator to defend Rome from attack. After Rome defeated the enemy, he returned power to the consuls in 16 days. http://safeshare.tv/v/ss56f2a2b403a2f

LEGACY OF ROMAN LAW The U.S government adopted several features of the Roman Republic. Like the Roman government, the United States has a tripartite system. The U.S. system of checks and balances makes sure that one branch of the government doesn’t have too much power. This system is like the veto, which limited the power of Roman consuls. In addition, like Rome, the United States has a written constitution on which its government is based. Citizenship is also an important part of a republican government. In the Roman Republic, only free adult males were citizens and could vote. Only these citizens enjoyed the protection of Roman law. They were also expected to perform civic duties. That means that they were expected to serve their nation. Cincinnatus showed civic duty by defeating the enemy and stepping down from power. What types of civic duties do American citizens show?

GROUP ASSIGNMENT: You will be split into 12 different groups. Each group will focus on 1 of the Twelve Tables of Roman law. Each group must condense the information into 1 sentence that gives a basic description of the laws. Generalize the information. Each group will present their sentence to the class for all students to take notes on.