1. Aim: What can we learn about the type of government used during the Ancient Roman Republic?
Do Now: How did the Ancient Roman monarchy end? HW: Latin 2- Stage 18 Vocabulary Quiz Tomorrow Latin 3- Quiz on Vocabulary List 2 Tomorrow National Latin Exam on 3/12 in Cafeteria Periods 2 and 3

2. In 509 B.C., after the expulsion of Tarquinius Superbus and his family…
…the Romans adopted a different form of government known as the Roman Republic The republic endured for 5 centuries

3. 3 Branches of Government
Consuls
Senate
Assembly of the people

4. Consuls (the monarchical branch)
2 magistrates called consuls carried on the functions of the former kings
They held supreme civil and military authority in the Roman Republic
Consuls held office for one year
At the end of their term, unless they were ousted by censors, ex- consuls became senators for life
Consuls had the right to 12 lictors each

5. Ms. Kass, what’s a lictor?
Well, kids, lictores served as attendants and bodyguards to the magistrates
Lictors carried the fasces for the consuls

6. The Fasces
The insignia of official authority in Rome Characterized by an ax head projecting from a bundle of elm or birch rods about 5 ft. long and tied together with a red strap Could be used to inflict punishment

7. Consuls continued Each consul could veto the other They led the army
They served as judges
They represented Rome in foreign affairs
They presided over the comitia centuriata (popular assembly)
In times of war, a single dictator could be appointed for a 6-month term

8. Senate (the aristocratic branch)
The advisory branch of the Roman government
Comprised of 300 citizens who served for life
They were chosen by the kings during the monarchy and by consuls during the republic
At first, senators were only patricians but, in time, plebeians joined too

9. Assembly (the democratic branch)
Assembly of Centuries (comitia centuriata)- composed of all members of the army, elected consuls annually
Assembly of Tribes (comitia tributa)- composed of all citizens, approved or rejected laws, decided issues of war and peace

10. More about dictators
Dictators served for 6 months and acted with the consent of the senate
Appointed by the consul or a military tribune with consular powers
Occasions of appointment included war, sedition, pestilence, and sometimes religious reasons
Two dictators who got around the 6 month rule
1)- Sulla- appointed dictator for an undefined period and was dictator until he stepped down
2) Julius Caesar was appointed dictator in perpetuo i.e. forever. There was no set end point to his dominance

11. Cursus Honorum
Aristocratic men couldn’t just decide they wanted to run for consul. They were first expected to follow a series of steps in the political sphere

12. Step 1: Quaestor You needed to be at least 28 to be quaestor
Term lasted a year
Elected by the Comitia Tributa (assembly of the tribes)
Lowest ranking magistrate
Traditional responsibility was the treasury

13. Step 2: Praetor
Elected by the Comitia Centuriata (assembly of the centuries)
Held office for a year
Accompanied by two lictores within the confines of the city
Commanded armies in the absence of consuls
Served as the judges of the Roman Republic

14. Step 3: Consul

15. Two offices were optional i.e. not part of the cursus honorum

16. 1) Tribune of the Plebs
Representative of the plebeians- elected by the plebeian section of the comitia tributa every year
Held great power
Had veto power over everyone except a dictator
His physical body was sacrosanct

17. 2) Aedile
Responsible for the maintenance of public buildings and regulation of public festivals
Had the power to enforce public order