Lesson 5: Citizens of Rome

Plebeian Unrest 450 B.C. – barbarian raids on Roman territory Patricians needed an army 449 B.C. – Plebeians left in the second “Secessio plebis” or Secession of the Plebs, refusing to serve Patricians gave in

Twelve Tables First written code of laws, making the laws clear to all Table One – Plaintiff (person making a complaint against another in court) must summon defendant (person being accused) to court Table Eleven – Forbade marriage between plebeians and patricians

Laws Law of Citizens – applied to just citizens Foreigners could become citizens (unlike in Greece) Women not full citizens; under guardianship of their fathers and then their husbands Law of Peoples – applied to non-citizens Used in Roman provinces Slaves had few rights, but could be freed by their masters

SPQR Senatus Populusque Romanus – The Senate and the People of Rome Romans proud of their republican government

Roman Heritage Later legal systems influenced by Rome Terminology still used: government, legal, constitution, court, judge, senate, president, council, and citizen U.S. government = a republic, influenced by ancient Rome Cincinnatus – Roman farmer who became dictator during a war but gave up his power when the war was over Similarly, President George Washington refused to run for president again after serving two terms

p. 181, Refocus-Comprehension Questions, #s1-2 1) Why were the Twelve Tables important? - They are the first written laws of the Roman Republic. 2) What rights did women have? - A woman could own property but her father or husband took care of it.