Forget Hump Day…How about a Snow Day?

Roman Republic

“Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day”

Roman Republic Begins

• Founded as the “City on Seven Hills” in present day Italy

• Drove out the hated Etruscan king in 509 BCE• Set up a new government called a republic– “Thing of the people”– Roman citizens chose officials to represent them– Goal to keep any individual from gaining too much

power

Senate

• Originally, the Senate was the most powerful governing body (300 members) who debated and voted on foreign affairs, laws, and finances.

• Senators served for life and were initially just made up of wealthy, upper class men.

Patricians vs. Plebeians

• Patricians = members of the landholding upper class

• Plebeians = the farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders who made up the bulk of the population and had little influence in government

• If there is a split between the patricians and plebeians, what could possibly go wrong in Rome?

Power of the Patricians

• Consuls = Elected leader of the Roman Republic from the patrician class. Could only serve one term. Expected to consult with the Senate.

• Elected two consuls every year to supervise the business of government and command the armies

• What are the benefits of having two consuls?

• What could possibly go wrong?

Plebeians Demand Equality

• Laws of the 12 Tables set up in the Forum (marketplace) in 450 BCE

• Tribunes = Elected officials from the Plebeian class.

• In the senate, tribunes could veto, or block, laws they felt were harmful to the Plebeians

• If the Roman Republic is a “thing of the people,” why would the Plebeians demand equality?

• Once they achieved these reforms, what could possibly go wrong?

Dictators

• In the event of war or emergency, the Senate might choose a dictator for Rome

• Dictator = granted emergency powers to rule for 6 months and then gave up power.

Cincinnatus

• Considering the job of the dictator and the story of Cincinnatus, what could possibly go wrong with the Roman Republic?