Early Roman Republic Note Entry #24

Etruscans From BC they ruled northern Italy –No one knows where they came from –They borrowed the alphabet from the Greeks but they didn’t speak Greek –They had a hierarchical social structure –They were eventually over thrown by the lower classes (including the Latins)

Rise of Rome 753 BCRomulus and Remus start to build Rome 620 BC the Tarquins provided kings to rule Rome –They taught the Romans to Build houses--build the Forum Drain wetlands--lay streets 509 BC the Roman patricians in Rome drove off the tarquins.

The social classes of Rome were set up under the Etruscans –Patrician: nobles, ruling class were those who held priesthoods before the Republic was set up –Plebeians: other citizens, could not hold public office plebeians were excluded from religious colleges and being judges the law of the Twelve Tables did not allow intermarriage They served in the army and could become military tribunes

When the patricians drove out the Etruscans and set up a republic that had 2 branches –Executive—consuls ran the daily business of Rome These were 2 men elected to a one year term and they had to reach consensus for any decisions for the city The primary criteria for consul was military skill and reputation

Legislative  orginally made-up of the Assembly of Centuries and the Senate –Assembly of Centuries Elected officials to the executive branch 193 men representing all of Rome –Senate 300 men who served for life Had more power than the Assembly Both classes were made up of only patricians

The plebeians disliked their lack of power –In 449 BC they went on strike The patricians agreed to recognize the tribunes –Plebeians got the right of veto –The Assembly of Tribes was recognized –In 441 BC the plebeians forced the patricians to display the Twelve Tables at the Forum –In 257BC plebeians won the right to make laws for the republic Debt slavery was ended and marriage between classes was also allowed.