1. Roman Government
Ms. Barker
6 Gr SS

2. SPQR SPQR- The Senate and the People of Rome
A republic- a type of government where people elect officials to represent them
A reminder Rome would never allow a king to rule again

3. The Etruscans Arrived on Italian Peninsula around 900 BCE
Their alphabet was based off the Greek alphabet
Treated women as equals
Developed city states who worked together
Their trade route included Rome
Romans were not Etruscans
As Rome grew stronger, Etruscans grew weaker

4. Roman Republic- The Senate
Ran by the senate
The senate passes all laws and taxes
All members were patricians or wealthy landowners
Two consuls were the head of the senate
Senate members served for life

5. Roman Republic - Consuls
Ran the senate
Controlled legions of Rome
Selected The senator
Elected by majority vote by citizens of Rome
Served for one year

6. Roman Republic - Assemblies
Elected by citizens from the Plebian class
Had no real power in government social structure
Had the power of most citizens behind them

7. Government Structure

8. Citizens Patricians- were the upper class and wealthy land owners
Plebeians were the lower class. Included anyone who was not a patrician
In both classes-
All free adult males were citizens
(women and slaves had no rights)
Oldest male was head of the family
Houses designed the same
Everyone spoke Latin worshipped the same gods

9. 12 Tables The patricians and plebeians met to develop the 12 tables
Engraved on metal and hung in the forum so all could read and understand the laws
Remained on display during the republic
Laws applied to everyone.

10. 12 Tables Examples
Here are a few of the laws of the Roman Republic from the Twelve Tables
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.

11. If fruit falls from your trees it is yours no matter where it falls.
If you lied in court you would be thrown off of the Tarpeian Rock.
You could not hold a political or business meeting at night. Dinner parties and religious festivals at night were ok.
Everyone who died had to buried or burned outside the city.
Rich people could not marry poor people and vice versa (plebeians and patricians). This law did get changed later.

12. Julius Ceaser Was an able administrator and famous army general
Wrote new laws and changed the way provinces were ruled
Citizens believed he could fix the problems of Rome
Used his own army to conquer the senate and save Rome
Named Dictator for life
Murdered by Cassius and Brutus which brought an end to the roman republic

13. Augustus
Octavian known as Augustus Ceaser, the first emperor was heir and nephew of Julius Ceaser
Kept the assemblies of the republic
Asked advice from senators
Showed other politicians respect
All soldiers were loyal to Augustus not Rome
Brought about the Pax Romana (Roman Peace)– a period of peace and prosperity

14. Women IN rome During the Republic women had no rights
They stayed home and taught young girls how to cook, sow, be good wives and run a household.
Once Rome became an empire women gained rights
Right to conduct business
Some freedom
Gained paid jobs, able to free slaves and own land
Still under guardianship of a father or husband