1. The Roman Republic

2. Consuls 2 elected Consuls shared the head of government
Members of the Senate – serve 1 year term
Consul = highest position in government
Controlled the army – Military leaders
Highest Judges

3. The Senate Composed of leaders from the Patricians
Law makers of the Roman Republic
Members were not elected – they were chosen by the Consuls and they served for life

4. Assembly Composed of all the plebeian citizens of Rome = common man
The assembly did not have a building, instead they met in the Forum
It was the right of the common man to assemble here and vote
Have very limited power
Could vote or suggest laws but the senate can block their decision.
Could vote to declare war
But the senate could override that decision
Had a very high and impressive power:
Assembly voted each year on which two members of the Senate would serve as Consuls

5. What is the Forum?
It is the center for banking, commerce, and law for all of Rome
This is where the Assembly met
The 12 tables were displayed here for all to see

6. 12 Tables
In the Roman republic every citizen could vote for their leaders, but who were the citizens? 
Only adult free men could be citizens.  That meant women, children and slaves were not  citizens, and could not vote.
The people needed to know what the laws were. 
They also wanted to make sure that the law applied to everyone rich and poor alike. 
Engraved the law on tablets of metal and put them in the forum
Called the Twelve Tables because there were twelve different sections. 
These laws were about crime and property and family matters like marriage and inheritance.  

7. Examples of 12 table laws
These have been simplified and reworded but hopefully the meanings have not been changed. 
If you are called to appear in court you have to go.  If you don't you can be arrested and forced to go.  
If you need a witness in court and they refuse to go you can stand in front of their house and shout out how they are refusing to do their duty as a citizen.  You can do this once every three days.  
Should a tree on a neighbor's farm be bent by the wind and lean over onto your farm, you can go to court and get the tree cut down.

8. Patricians vs Plebeians
Roman citizens were divided into two classes, Plebeians and Patricians. 
The plebeians were the lower class. They included everyone who was not a patrician.  They were sometimes just called plebs. 
The patricians were the upper class. They were the wealthy land owners.  
Plebeians and Patricians rarely mixed socially

9. 2 Consuls Head of Government
Senate (300 members)
Assembly  
PATRICIANS
PLEBEIANS
1 year term
Life term
Consuls chose the Senators
Elected the 2 Consuls
Ran the government, overseeing the work of other government officials.
Advised the consuls. Advised the Assembly.
Elected government officials including judges.
Directed (commanded) the army
Directed spending, including tax dollars
Acted as judges
Approved or disapproved laws made by the Assembly
Voted on laws suggested by government officials
In an emergency, consuls could choose a dictator – a single ruler to make quick decisions.
Made decisions concerning relationships with foreign powers
Declared war or peace
Both consuls had to agree on their decisions. Each had the power to Veto the other. In Latin, veto means “I forbid.”