1. Chapter 13
Everyday Statesman

2. Focus
In this presentation you will learn about the types of citizens, the path for a successful political career and the role of the Senate.
Key Terms
Patrician, Plebeian, Equites
Cursus Honorum: Quaestor, Aedile, Praetor, Consul

3. SPQR Citizens Non Citizens Patricians Plebeians Nobles
Equites (Knights)
Women
Slaves
Foreigners
Citizens were given the right to vote and the duty of military service.

4. Citizens Patricians Plebeians
The wealthiest class from established families
Everyone else!
EQUITES
NOBLES
Wealthy plebeians
Originated from the cavalry
businessmen
Must have property worth 400,000 sesterces
A Later title used to distinguish the rich from the poor
Included the Patricians and the Equites

5. Cursus Honorum Questor **Aedile *Praetor *Consul
Curule
*curule magistrates which meant they were able to sit in a special chair sella curulis which was an ivory folding stool
**Only the 2 patrician aediles were curule

6. Quaestor sought at the ages of 27-30 Term = 1 year
There were several Quaestors with the number increasing along with the size of the empire
Usually sought often 10 years in the military and having been a military or plebeian tribune
Was the “Treasurer”
Collected the taxes and oversaw expenditures

7. Aedile sought 2 years after Questor Term = 1 year
Originally were 2 plebeians but 2 patricians were added
Oversaw public works including public buildings(like temples), roads, markets, the grain dole and games
An optional but favorable office since it allowed the person to win support through providing lavish games.

8. Praetor sought 2 years after Aedile were in their 30’s Term = 1 year
Had ‘imperium’ or supreme authority, including the ability to apply/execute the death penalty
2 types: praetor urbanus; praetor peregrinus
Number of Praetors grew along with empire
Were the supreme civil judges
Urbanus: oversaw suits between citizens
Peregrinus: oversaw suits involving foreigners
Propraetor served in a province ‘in place of' the praetor

9. Lucius Junius Brutus the 1st consul
sought 2 years after Praetor
were at least 42
Term = 1 year
Had ‘imperium’ or supreme authority, including the ability to apply/execute the death penalty
Re-election only after 10 years
There were 2 so that no one man could have all the power
Were military commanders
Presided over the senate
Proconsul served in a province ‘in place of' the consul
Lucius Junius Brutus the 1st consul

10. Tribunes Military Tribune Plebeian Tribune aka: Tribune of the plebs
Elected by his legion
Sought after a minimum of 5 years of service
Plebeian Tribune aka: Tribune of the plebs
Elected by the Concilium Plebis
Protected the plebeians
Held the power of veto and could stop legislation or the games or anything else that might oppress a plebeian.

11. Dictator was appointed only in time of emergency
had supreme control and imperium
was a 6 month term
the other magistrates remained in office but the dictator had the ultimate power to lead the army and decide judicial matters
Cincinnatus was an ideal dictator who called upon in a time of crisis, lead Rome to safety and then willingly gave up the power to go back to work on his farm
Statue of Cincinatus
in Ohio

12. Censors Censor Only used in times of the census (every 5 years)
Appointed by comitia centuriata from former consuls
determined a citizen’s status (patrician, pleb, etc)

13. Roman Assemblies Senate Comitia Curiata Comitia Centuriata
Comitia Tributa
Concilium Plebis

14. Senate Members: 100, 300, 600 (80BC), 900 (reform of Julius Caesar)
Not elected; entry was given for holding a high office (one on the cursus honorm) or birth and for having property worth 1,000,000 sesterces
Served as advisors to magistrates
Made decrees not laws
Sent “bills” to various comitia for voting
Expelled only for misconduct

15. Comitia Curiata
Based on the Curiae which was the organization of the original 3 tribes
Important earlier on in Rome’s History
Met only formally on occasion to bestow imperium on consuls and praetors

16. Comitia Centuriata Met on the Campus Martius
Based on the centuries (voting units)
Admission to unit was based on your ability to provide equipment for military service
The wealthier centuries had more votes
Decided on military matters (war and peace)
Elected Praetors and Consul
Heard appeals of capital cases (death penalty)
Met on the Campus Martius

17. Comitia Tributa Based on 35 tribes
Decided on bills sent by magistrates
Elected Quaestors and Aediles
Heard appeals of non-capital cases
Met in the Roman Forum (pictured below)

18. Concilium Plebis Based on 35 tribes Plebeians Only!
Elected Plebeian Tribunes and Aediles
after 287BC its resolutions became laws for all known as plebiscita
Met in the Roman forum (pictured below)

19. Assignment
Now you will need to give a campaign speech of your own. You will need to give a speech in the voice board. This is like a discussion board but it allows you the record your post and response. You can also type your post Your speech should include:
An introduction of your self
What office you are seeking
What experience/previous positions held
What you will do for Rome, given the parameters of the office you are seeking
Don’t forget “vote” by responding to a classmate’s post. You would want to state why you are voting (or not) for the person...based on their speech.