The Roman Republic Libertyville High School

Government: Aristocratic Republic (Oligarchy) Two consuls Elected by Curia for a 1 year term Elected by Curia for a 1 year term Acted as check / balance against each other Acted as check / balance against each other Two quaestors (financial managers) Dictator In times of great danger, temporary king appointed In times of great danger, temporary king appointed Held power for 6 months Held power for 6 months Given life / death power Given life / death power

Republic’s Government New Senate 300 senators 300 senators All patricians All patricians Hereditary position Hereditary position Advised consuls Advised consuls New popular assembly Elected all office holders Elected all office holders All male citizens were members All male citizens were members Only patricians could hold office Only patricians could hold office Main way to express will of people Main way to express will of people

Problems of Republic: Class Warfare Patricians vs. plebeians – why? Patricians Lived in cities whose walls protected their property Bought their way out of military service Patrician status inherited

Problems: Class warfare Plebeians Lived outside cities When in army, lands neglected During war, farms devastated by enemy, families driven away Army conscription increased from years; thus, plebeians away for a long time

Problems: Class warfare Law of debt If plebeians owned land, they generally needed to borrow money to start farm If they couldn’t pay debt, they were arrested, made slave of creditor Creditor usually a patrician Effect: keep poor in poverty

Problems: Class warfare Unequal division of land All land acquired through war belonged to all people But government in hands of patricians who used public lands for their own benefit Allowed it to be used by other patricians Patricians thought of public land as theirs!

Problem: Class Warfare Plebeians revolted, threatened to start their own city near Rome Patricians, seeing loss of their army, made legal changes

Table of Laws (450 BC) Legal changes Cancel all debts and release all debtors from prison Cancel all debts and release all debtors from prison Create new public office: Tribune Create new public office: Tribune 2 appointed from Plebian class Given power to veto any patrician office holder who acted unjustly Tribunes could not be arrested Put on bronze tablets near forum

Roman Citizenship, post 450 BC Rights Hold office, if patrician Vote Social intermarriage (Patrician, plebian) Own property Enter into legal contracts (become merchant)Demands Service in army Pay taxes