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?