1. ROMAN REPUBLIC
Was not a static institution but rather a continually evolving structure
Political participation and eligibility to run for office widened over time
Powers of various assemblies and elected officials also changed with time
But it also became increasingly corrupt

2. 35 Tribes
“each (Tribe) was headed by a tribune, and these tribunes represented their respective tribes in all civil, religious, and military affairs” A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, 1875.
People of the city of Rome itself, typically belonged to the four urban tribes, which were the largest and had the least political power. These tribes were named for districts of the city.
Landowners and aristocracy traditionally belonged to the 31 smaller rural tribes.
Because each tribe had 1 vote, the less people in your tribe, the more power your voice had.

3. The Patricians Original aristocracy of Rome
Had been distinguished citizens who advised Latin kings
Played leading role in overthrowing Etruscans
Once the Etruscans were driven out the patricians declared Rome a republic. They served in the Senate and were very privileged.
Wealth based primarily on ownership of farmland and/or urban real estate
Originally possessed monopoly on membership in Senate and various elected offices

4. The Plebeians
Free men who could not trace their ancestry back to advisors of Latin kings
Plebeians were a class of citizens who were usually non aristocratic farmers, artisans and shopkeepers, and some were wealthy.
They had served in the army under Etruscans
Etruscans had promoted their interests and protected their civil status
With overthrow of Etruscans they lost power
Patricians would not let them share in government
They did have rights
such as the right to serve in the Assembly
and the right to vote, trade, hold property, and administer judicial self defense.

5. The Clients and the Slaves
The Clients were peasant farmers who rented land. They would follow a certain patron and perform political duties, including assassinations, and lying in court, if it would help further his patron's political career.
In return, the client often received money, a job, or an invitation to dinner at the patron's house. A dinner invitation may not seem like much to us today, but in Roman times it could mean a great place in society if he appeared at the right dinner parties.
His prestige in society would be much more enhanced if he were seen by the rich and famous at only one dinner party hosted by a powerful patron.
This patron-client relationship led to many interesting situations in ancient Rome. Sometimes candidates for various government magistracies would travel around Rome with several hundred or even a few thousand of their clients.
Lastly were the Slaves, who had no freedom or rights whatsoever unless it was bestowed upon them by their master.

7. Patricians versus Plebeians
A series of protests by the plebeians forced the patricians to give rights to the assembly.
Originally the plebeians were authorized two tribunes to serve in the senate, but that number eventually rose to ten
Tribunes had the power to intervene in all political matters and to veto measures they thought were unfair

8. Increased Representation for Plebeians
During the 4th Century, plebeians became eligible to be elected senators and gained the right to have one of the consuls come from their ranks (Tribune)
By the early 3rd Century, plebeian-dominated assemblies won the power to make decisions binding on all of Rome
Republican Rome was gradually broadening the base of political participation

9. The Twelve Tables Written Laws – victory for plebeians
Said that all free citizens had equal protection under the law.
(They weren’t really tables, but 12 tablets with written laws.)

10. Roman Law All citizens had the right to equal treatment under the law.
A person was considered innocent until proven guilty.
The burden of proof rested with the accuser rather than the accused person.
Any law that seemed unreasonable or grossly unfair could be set aside.

11. Roman Republic

12. Senate The Senate was a select counsel of 300 men who served for life.
Aristocrat branch of Rome
Chosen as members because of how important their family was.
They were mainly very conservative, very privileged, very wealthy, and owned lots of land.
They chose the consuls who ruled Rome.
Plebeians will later be able to be elected to the senate
The senate's principal role was as an advisory council to the two Roman consuls on matters of foreign and military policy,
exercised a great deal of influence over the two consuls.
The senate also managed civil administration within the city.
only the senate could authorize the appropriation of public monies from the treasury
In addition, the senate would try individuals accused of political crimes (such as treason).

13. Consulship Consuls Modern day examples
Like Kings commanded the army and government
Limits on power
1 year term
Must return to the senate after term is up
Could not be reelected for 10 years
Veto power over other consul
Modern day examples

14. TRIBAL ASSEMBLY 35 in all; each having one vote
Primary function was to pass laws
Laws were binding to all in Rome
Voting also not done on an individual basis
Done according to tribe
35 in all; each having one vote
Rich and poor fairly equally distributed in each tribe
Two stumbling blocks
Many members of Head Count did not attend meetings because that meant taking off work
Attendance at Assembly therefore tended to be dominated by the wealthy and their clients
Assembly could not do anything without the collaboration of a tribune
Who only could introduce legislation
Any tribune of the ten could veto legislative proposal
All ten had to agree before a bill became law
Not hard for wealthy to find one tribune to do their dirty work for them

15. Rome The United States Executive
2 consuls, elected by assembly for one year. Chief executives of the government and commanders in chief of the army (patrician class)
* A dictator could be appointed in time of crisis!
A president elected by the people for 4 years. Chief executive of the government and commander in chief of the army
Legislative
Senate of 300 members, chosen from patrician class (wealthy class) for life. Controls foreign and financial policies.
Centuriate Assembly—all citizen soldiers are members for life, selects consuls and makes laws
Tribal Assembly—citizens grouped according to where they live for life, elects tribunes and makes laws.
Senate of 100 members, elected by people for 6 year terms, make laws, advise president on foreign policy.
House of Representatives 435 members, elected by people for 2 yrs, makes laws
Judicial
8 judges chosen for one year by Centuriate Assembly. 2 oversee and civil and criminal courts
Supreme Court, 9 justices appointed for life, highest court, hears civil and criminal appeals cases.
Legal Code
12 Tables—list of rules that were the basis of Roman legal System
U.S Constitution – Basic law of US
Citizenship
Patritians - All land owning adult males
*Plebeians (working class, poor Romans) were considered citizens but did not have much influence in government.
All natural born or naturalized persons.

16. Close: Describe 3 ways in which the government of the Roman Republic was similar to our own. Describe 2 ways in which it differed.

17. How was the government of Rome similar to the government of the United States?
1 paragraph summary of Roman Republic. Include comparison to U.S. government