1. Evolution of Republican Government
CHW 3M

2. Like their military, Roman government was based not on theory (like the Greeks) but on what would be effective.
Rulers of Rome
After Superbus was banished:
Two consuls (chief judge/magistrate) ruled
Checks and Balances – both consuls had veto power
No one man held all the power
Alternated rule monthly, except during battle (daily)
Consuls also governed the Senate
If conflict between consuls, Senate could name a man dictator for six months
TOTAL POWER

3. Two Assemblies
The rulers of Rome were chosen by two different assemblies:
Centuriate Assembly
Dominated by the Patricians (wealthy people, ancestors of the patriarchs)
Based on idea that voting power should match military power (and the wealthy had the best arms)
In charge of electing the consuls and powerful judges
Tribal Assembly
Dominated by Plebians (common people and tradesmen)
Based on where one lived (“tribe” = electoral district)
In charge of electing lesser magistrates and later, powerful tribunes of the people

4. Democracy? Not so much.
Rome was a republic, but not a democracy. What’s the difference?
Democracy = government by the people for the people
Republic = elected officials, but don’t necessarily represent the common people
Example:
The Consuls
Patricians chosen by the Centuriate Assembly – common people have almost no voice
The Senate
Chosen by the consuls – could suspend civil liberties
Magistrates – Had to be Patricians
The Roman insignia refers to the phrase “The Senate and the People,” and emphasizes the Senate over the people.

5. Change Over Time
Life for the poor plebeians was difficult, and eventually they refused to fight for Rome unless reforms were made.
Major changes occurred over time:
494 BC - Creation of the Tribunes of the People – ten plebeians protected common people from exploitation
Each could veto any action of the government
367 BC - Plebians could become magistrates
287 BC - One of two consuls had to be a plebeian
Tribal Assembly becomes more powerful.
By 287 BC, Rome was, in theory, a democracy.

6. Problems Was this real democracy?
Certainly nothing like Greek democracy
Tribal Assembly votes required people to be in Rome
Most people couldn’t do this!
Centuriate Assembly votes still favoured the wealthy
Checks and Balances – a strength or weakness?
Vetos meant to prevent one group from gaining too much power
However, Tribunes used this often – sometimes without good reason
Difficult to accomplish anything
Inefficient system contributed to creation of the Roman Empire – definitely not a democracy