Roman RepublicRoman Republic

The History of Rome

• Roman history in three major political phases:

The Kingdom (753-507)- Traditionally, rule by seven kings

The Republic (507-31)- Rule by Senate, Consuls, Assemblies, and dictators

The Empire (31 BCE – 476 CE)- Rule by emperors

The Etruscans

• Who were the Etruscans?• They greatly influenced

Rome.

• Little is known• Art has given us the most

clues – Wall paintings– Sculpture

• Society – Wealthy overlords– Aristocratic priests– Slave labor

• Lower classes revolted– Formed Rome

• The Tarquins

Romans rebel against cruel king in 509 B.C.E.Etruscan kings were accused of crimes and expelled. Law allowing anyone plotting to be king to be killed on the spot.

Created a Republic Republic = form of government where the citizens have the power

Start of a new Roman GovernmentStart of a new Roman Government

509 B.C.E. Rome = small city Slowly expands.338 B.C.E. defeat the other Latins284 B.C.E. defeat Etruscans267 B.C.E. defeat the GreeksThe Republic is growing

ROMAN REPUBLIC 509 BCE – 46 BCE (approx 500 years)

What was life like in the Republic?What was life like in the Republic?

• ROME BECAME A LARGE CITY ROME BECAME A LARGE CITY THAT WAS ABOUT 500 MILES THAT WAS ABOUT 500 MILES AROUNDAROUND

• OUSTED KING AND INVENTED OUSTED KING AND INVENTED REPUBLICAN FORM OF REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

• ONLY FREE-BORN MALES COULD ONLY FREE-BORN MALES COULD VOTE (ROMAN MEN’S CLUB)VOTE (ROMAN MEN’S CLUB)

• PATRICIANS WERE WEALTHY PATRICIANS WERE WEALTHY LANDOWNERS-MOST CONTROLLANDOWNERS-MOST CONTROL

• PLEBEIANS WERE FARMERS, PLEBEIANS WERE FARMERS, MERCHANTS AND ARTISANSMERCHANTS AND ARTISANS

• PATRICIANS INHERITED POWER AND PATRICIANS INHERITED POWER AND SOCIAL STATUSSOCIAL STATUS

• PLEBEIANS COULD NOT HOLD PLEBEIANS COULD NOT HOLD IMPORTANT POSITIONS IN IMPORTANT POSITIONS IN GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

What was life like in the Republic?What was life like in the Republic?

Rome’s republic was shaped by a struggle between wealthy nobles and regular citizens.

PlebeiansPlebeians

PatriciansPatricians

Plebeians1.Majority of the population 2.Artisans, shopkeepers, small farm owners 3. Citizens (male)– could vote, pay taxes, serve in army4.Could not marry a Patrician 5.Could not serve in government

Patricians1.Wealthy land owners 2.Nobles that made up the ruling class 3.Citizens (male)– could vote, had to pay taxes and serve in the army 4.Could not marry a Plebian 5.Could serve in government

Patricians

Plebeians

Slaves

Power in the Roman RepublicPower in the Roman Republic

How the Roman How the Roman

Republic worksRepublic works

SenateSenate

AssemblyAssembly

ConsulsConsuls

Dictator Dictator

..How the Republic WorksHow the Republic WorksDivision of PowerDivision of Power 1 person

1 person

2 men2 men

300 members

300 members

Rest ofRest of population

population

1.1. Top government officialTop government official2.2. Two chosen every year Two chosen every year 3.3. Headed the army and ran the Headed the army and ran the

governmentgovernment4.4. Served short term….avoided risk of Served short term….avoided risk of

abusing powerabusing power5.5. Veto Veto The right of the consul to reject the The right of the consul to reject the

other’s decision. Latin for “I forbid”other’s decision. Latin for “I forbid”

ConsulsConsuls

1.1. 300 men300 men

2.2. Chosen for lifeChosen for life

3.3. Advise ConsulAdvise Consul

4.4. Deal with other countriesDeal with other countries

5.5. Proposes lawsProposes laws

6.6. Approve public worksApprove public works

7.7. Deal with daily government Deal with daily government problemsproblems

SenateSenateLatin for “old men”Latin for “old men”

AssemblyAssembly1.1. Citizen soldiers – a voting assemblyCitizen soldiers – a voting assembly

2.2. Power comes Power comes slowlyslowly

3. First step 3. First step towards towards democracydemocracy

Where are the Plebeians?

• Plebeians Had No Representation.

• How do you get what you want?

• GO ON STRIKE!!!

• Why would the Plebeians refusing to fight in the army be a problem?

• Why would the Plebeians leaving the city be a problem?

TWELVE TABLESTWELVE TABLES Plebeians go on strike for Plebeians go on strike for more say in the government. more say in the government.

Leave the farms and the army Leave the farms and the army to go sit on the Palatine Hill to go sit on the Palatine Hill (Forum)(Forum)

Patricians compromise- Pass Patricians compromise- Pass a written code of law called a written code of law called the the TWELVE TABLESTWELVE TABLES..

•Plebeian representativePlebeian representative•Power to vetoPower to veto•Could not be arrestedCould not be arrested•Chosen by the Assembly of Chosen by the Assembly of Tribes Tribes

Laws were harsh, but equalLaws were harsh, but equal