Start of a new Roman Government Romans rebel against cruel king in 509 B.C.E. Created a Republic Republic = form of government where the citizens have the power to choose representatives

ROMAN REPUBLIC 509 BCE – 46 BCE (approx 500 years) 509 B.C.E. Rome = small city Slowly expands. 338 B.C.E. defeat the other Latins 284 B.C.E. defeat Etruscans 267 B.C.E. defeat the Greeks

What was life like in the Republic? ROME BECAME A LARGE CITY THAT WAS ABOUT 500 MILES AROUND OUSTED KING AND INVENTED REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT ONLY FREE-BORN MALES COULD VOTE (ROMAN MEN’S CLUB)

Rome’s republic was shaped by a struggle between wealthy nobles and regular citizens. VS Patricians Plebeians

Plebeians Patricians Majority of the population Wealthy land owners Artisans, shopkeepers, small farm owners Citizens (male)– could vote, pay taxes, serve in army Could not marry a Patrician Could not serve in government Patricians Wealthy land owners Nobles that made up the ruling class Citizens (male)– could vote, had to pay taxes and serve in the army Could not marry a Plebian Could serve in government

Power in the Roman Republic Patricians Plebeians Slaves

. Dictator Consuls Senate Assembly How the Republic Works Division of Power 1 person . 2 men Consuls 300 members Senate Rest of population Assembly

Consuls Top government official Two chosen every year Headed the army and ran the government Served short term….avoided risk of abusing power Veto The right of the consul to reject the other’s decision. Latin for “I forbid”

Senate 300 men Chosen for life Advise Consul Deal with other countries Latin for “old men” 300 men Chosen for life Advise Consul Deal with other countries Proposes laws Approve public works Deal with daily government problems

Assembly Citizen soldiers – a voting assembly Power comes slowly 3. First step towards democracy

TWELVE TABLES Plebeians go on strike for more say in the government. Leave the farms and the army to go sit on the Palatine Hill (Forum) Patricians compromise- Pass a written code of law called the TWELVE TABLES. First time that patricians and plebeians were treated equally under the law