Rome- Government P. 302-307
Changes New offices could only be held by plebeians Protected plebian rights and interest
Government Tripartite- government with 3 parts
1. Magistrates Elected officials Consuls- elected every year Run city Lead army 2 so one person would not be too powerful Other magistrates Elected for one year Judges Organized games and festivals Took care of city finances
2. Senate Council/assembly of nobles Advise leaders Held office for life Most magistrates became Senators so didn’t anger Senate By 200 BC, took control of government
3. Assemblies and Tribunes Assemblies- elect magistrates Made up of patricians and plebeians Tribunes- elected by plebeians Elected for one year Power of veto-(“I forbid” in Latin)
Citizens Duty to participate in government Attend assembly meetings and vote Hold public office
Checks and Balances Make sure one group doesn’t become too powerful 1. one consul could block the action of another 2. laws proposed by the Senate must be approved by magistrate and ratified by the assemblies
Roman Laws 1st laws weren’t written down Only patricians knew laws People upset because they didn’t know about laws until they broke them 450BC- 1st law code written on bronze tablets Law of the 12 Tables Displayed in the Forum
Forum Heart of the city Site of government building and important temples Meeting place for citizens Place to shop Center of Rome on two hills Palatine Hill- rich lived Capitoline Hill- temples stood Leaders used Forum as speaking area to common people