1. Ch14 The Romans 14.1 The Government

2. 1. Romans -overthrew Etruscans -set-up Republic -lasted about 500 yrs

3. 2. Roman Republic -headed by 2 consuls -chosen each yr. -administrators -military leaders -commanders-in-chief during war -veto each others actions -both had to agree before a law was passed

4. -senate -300 men (senators) patricians -chosen for life -handled daily problems -advised consuls -discussed ways to deal w/other countries -proposed laws -approved public contracts -roads -temples

5. 3. other officials -judges -assemblies -all Roman citizens -declare war or peace -tribunes -protect rights of plebeians

6. 4. Roman law -450BC written record of laws -foundation for all future Roman law -12 Tables -carved on bronze tablets -located in Forum -applied to patricians & plebeians

7. -patricians -oldest -wealthiest -could hold public office -plebeians -poor -farmers -merchants -traders -could own land -could not hold public office

8. -could not marry patrician -wills, property rights, court actions -plebeians demanded more rights -elected 10 tribunes -veto power -250 BC no more debt slavery -could hold public office and marry patrician -moving toward democratic government