Section 3: Roman Republic

Social Structures

Patrician Aristocratic land

holders Held most power Few in number

Plebeian Farmers, artisans,

merchants Majority of population Citizens with right to

vote

Slaves No rights Jobs

• Farming• Artisans• Gladiator

Citizens Patrician and Plebeian men

Rights Patrician

• Authority to make law• Only members of the Senate

Plebeians• Citizens-right to vote for leaders only• Eventually formed assembly (Tribune)

Responsibilities of Citizenship

Vote Pay Taxes Military Service

Family

Paterfamilias Eldest man Property and Family

Women Ran households Could not vote

Boys Rich-attend schools Poor-worked/remained illiterate

Girls Educated at home Married at 12-15 to older man

Features of Democracy

Early Republic Etruscan Influence

• Etruscan Kings governed-600 BC• Constructed temples and public centers

Forum Political center Area for government buildings

Tarquin the Proud Harsh Etruscan Tyrant Last king of Rome Driven from power-509 BC

Republic Power rests with the citizens Res Publica (Public Affairs)

Representative Democracy Citizenship and voting granted to

freeborn males

Twelve Tables Written law code of Rome 451 BC-Carved and hung in the

Forum Formed basis for Roman law

Consuls 2 officials Commanded army

and directed government

Limited power/one year

Consuls could veto each other

Senate

300 Members from Patrician class Administrative and Legislative

functions Great influence over foreign or

domestic policy

Assemblies Centuriate Assembly

• All citizen soldiers were members Tribal Assembly (Tribune)

• Organized by Plebeians• Elected Tribunes• Made laws for common people

Dictator Appointed in time of crisis Leader with absolute power Made law and Commanded army Six month terms Chosen by consul and elected by

senate