The Roman Republic

What do you see?

Rome’s Government

• Rome had a tripartite.- One group ran the government.- Another group made the laws.- The last group acted as judges.

Each group had checks and balances over the other. Does this remind you of anything?

However, they did not separate powers!

Consuls

• This group ran the government.

2 were chosen every year. They would lead the army as well as the government.

- Little risk of abusing powers among consuls.

Each consul had the power of veto over the other one.

Latin for “I Forbid!”

Praetors

Senate

• This group made the laws of Rome.

• The Senate was made up of 300 Patrician men who served for life.

- In the beginning, the Senate only gave advice to the consuls, but they slowly grew in power over time.

Assembly of Centuries

• This group was another form of Legislative Body.- Elected Praetors

- Elected Consuls- Passed laws.

- Controlled by Patricians.

Plebeians and Patricians

• BOTH male plebeians and patricians were considered citizens of Rome.

• ONLY patricians could serve in the Senate.

• This FURIATED the plebeians.

People never change over time, so what do you think happens now?

Plebeians Fight For Their Rights!

• 494 BC – Plebeians go on strike, refuse to work, refuse to enter the army, and want to create a republic of their own.

• 471 BC – Plebeians allowed to set up their own body of representatives. The Council of the Plebs.

• 455 BC – Patricians and plebeians allowed to marry.

• 300 BC – Plebeians allowed to become consuls.

• 287 BC – Plebeians allowed to pass laws for ALL Romans.

This results in an equal political standing for ALL Roman men.

Dictator

Not your common dictator!!

In Rome, a dictator had complete control…but they served the people and ruled on a temporary basis during national emergencies.

Dictators were appointed by the Senate, but gave up their power as soon as the emergency was over.

Civic Duty

All Romans strongly believed in civic duty, but what is that?

One of our former Presidents sums it best…

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy

Roman Law

• The Twelve Tables- Laws written down for all Romans to see and abide by.- Applied only to Roman citizens.

• To address the problems of laws in foreign lands, Rome created the Law of Nations.

- This stated principles of justice that apply to everyone no matter where they may be.

- This is the basis of the laws that we use today.

Rule of Law – the idea that the law should apply to everyone equally and all should be treated fairly by the same legal system.