1. Ancient Rome

2. Roman Republic 509 B.C. – Rome develops a government called a republic
Indirect democracy: citizens elect leaders who make government decisions
Only free-born males can vote

3. Roman Republic Two groups competed for power
Patricians: rich landowners who held most of the power
Plebeians: common farmers, artisans, and merchants. They forced the patricians to give them more power

4. Republican Government
Separate branches of government
Two consuls commanded the army and led the gov’t
Roman Senate: aristocrats who advised the consuls and controlled the money

5. Republican Government
Two assemblies included other classes of people
In times of crisis, a dictator was appointed for a 6 month term
Expansion creates problems for the Roman republic

6. Republican Government
Rome ends democracy and becomes an empire under Augustus in 27 B.C.

7. Roman Law
Rome’s legal principles influence the growth of democracy throughout the Western world
Rome establishes a written legal code

8. Written Legal Code
Twelve Tablets (451 B.C.): assured citizens protection under the law
Justinian’s Code (528 A.D.): compiled all laws made since the earlier code

9. Written Legal Code
Written laws establish the idea of “a government of laws, not of men” (Aristotle)