Chapter 14 section 1 The Government

509 B.C.- Romans overthrow Tarquin the Proud (Etruscan king) and set up a republic 509 B.C.- Romans overthrow Tarquin the Proud (Etruscan king) and set up a republic Not everyone has an equal say in government- Patricians can hold public office Not everyone has an equal say in government- Patricians can hold public office Plebeians- poorer citizens who can’t hold political office (at this time in the history of the republic) Plebeians- poorer citizens who can’t hold political office (at this time in the history of the republic)

This model of government serves as the foundation of modern governments today including the United States This model of government serves as the foundation of modern governments today including the United States

Head of Government: Head of Government: 2 Consuls- veto power and shared equal power. 2 Consuls- veto power and shared equal power. Both had to agree before a law passed Both had to agree before a law passed

Roman Senate: Roman Senate: Made up of 300 men who were chosen for life Made up of 300 men who were chosen for life Called Senators Called Senators Handled daily problems of government Handled daily problems of government Advised the consuls Advised the consuls

Tribunes Were government officials who were elected to protect the lower classes (Plebeians) rights Were government officials who were elected to protect the lower classes (Plebeians) rights

Judges, assemblies, and tribunes were part of the Roman government Judges, assemblies, and tribunes were part of the Roman government All citizens belonged to the assemblies All citizens belonged to the assemblies

How it was organized (visual)

Until about 450 B.C. Roman laws were not written down. Until about 450 B.C. Roman laws were not written down. Laws were carved down on 12 bronze tablets called the 12 Tables- these were placed in the Forum. Laws were carved down on 12 bronze tablets called the 12 Tables- these were placed in the Forum.

These laws applied to all Romans- patricians and plebeians These laws applied to all Romans- patricians and plebeians These laws became the foundation of all later Roman laws These laws became the foundation of all later Roman laws The main benefit of having laws written down was that the lawmakers and law- enforcers couldn't change them to suit their whims The main benefit of having laws written down was that the lawmakers and law- enforcers couldn't change them to suit their whims

Once a law was made public (and carving it into stone was about as public as it got), the law was known to everyone. This also had the benefit for the lawmakers and law-enforcers of ruling out a lawbreaker's protestation that he or she didn't know that what he or she was doing was against the law. If a law was made public, then it was everyone's responsibility to know and obey. Once a law was made public (and carving it into stone was about as public as it got), the law was known to everyone. This also had the benefit for the lawmakers and law-enforcers of ruling out a lawbreaker's protestation that he or she didn't know that what he or she was doing was against the law. If a law was made public, then it was everyone's responsibility to know and obey.

12 Tables Table I mandates that when a person is accused of something, both accused and accuser must be present at a hearing or trial on the matter. Also, if both parties don't show up for a court date, the judge is free to rule in favor of the party that did show up. Table I mandates that when a person is accused of something, both accused and accuser must be present at a hearing or trial on the matter. Also, if both parties don't show up for a court date, the judge is free to rule in favor of the party that did show up. Table III gives debtors 30 days to pay off a debt. After that, a creditor is free to seize the debtor and make him or her a prisoner. Table III gives debtors 30 days to pay off a debt. After that, a creditor is free to seize the debtor and make him or her a prisoner. Table IV makes a man's will binding. Table IV makes a man's will binding.

12 Tables Table VIII lists specific punishments for certain crimes. It also says that if a person fails to show up as a trial witness, then that person will never again be allowed to be a witness. Most importantly, it says that a person shown to have lied in court will be put to death. Table VIII lists specific punishments for certain crimes. It also says that if a person fails to show up as a trial witness, then that person will never again be allowed to be a witness. Most importantly, it says that a person shown to have lied in court will be put to death. Table IX specifies capital punishment for judges who have taken bribes and for people who have committed treason. Table IX specifies capital punishment for judges who have taken bribes and for people who have committed treason. It's also interesting to note that Table XI prohibits marriages between plebeians and patricians. So, even though the plebeians got some very important rights through the Twelve Tables, they couldn't marry into the upper class. The ruling class had to keep the other hand, after all It's also interesting to note that Table XI prohibits marriages between plebeians and patricians. So, even though the plebeians got some very important rights through the Twelve Tables, they couldn't marry into the upper class. The ruling class had to keep the other hand, after all

Elections of tribunes and recording laws were the first steps toward a more democratic government Elections of tribunes and recording laws were the first steps toward a more democratic government By 250 B.C.- no one sold into slavery because of debt and plebeians could hold office By 250 B.C.- no one sold into slavery because of debt and plebeians could hold office