150 likes | 258 Views
Roman Republic. Warm-Up. Directions. Republic. A government in which power belongs to citizens, who govern themselves through elected representatives . This government was formed in 509 BCE. SPQR.
E N D
Republic • A government in which power belongs to citizens, who govern themselves through elected representatives. • This government was formed in 509 BCE.
SPQR SPQR is an initial for the Latin phrase, Senātus Populusque Rōmānus, meaning "The Senate and the People of Rome."
Republic – CitizensAll free male citizens could vote. Patricians Plebeians An ordinary, working citizen of ancient Rome – such as a farmer or craftsperson. Between 494 and 287 BCE, the plebeians struggled to gain equality with the patricians. • A wealthy, landowning family who claimed to be able to trace its roots back to the founding of Rome.
A Constitution • Only Patrician Judges new and made up the laws. • Plebeians revolted and demanded reforms. • First written code of laws, The Law of the Twelve Tables, in 451 BCE. • Applied to BOTH Patricians and Plebeians • Dealt with legal procedures, building codes, punishment and granted citizens INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS (trial by jury, witnesses at trial, and innocent until proven guilty
Balanced Branches of Power • There were 3 branches that divided up the power : The CONSULS The SENATE The ASSEMBLY
Consuls • Oversaw the work of the government • Acted as judges • Directed the army • Elected for 1 year • Both consuls had to agree before the government could take action • In an emergency, consuls could choose a “dictator” to make quick decisions • They choose the senators
Senate – “Seniors” = 300 Men • Most Powerful!! • Held office for life • Were advisors to the consuls/ government officials • Could approve/ disapprove (veto, or I reject it) laws passed by the assembly • Decided how money should be spent • Made decisions concerning relations with foreign countries • Had influence over the Consuls and the army
“Assembly” of Tribunes of 1,000 men each – 35 tribes • Voted on laws • Could declare war or make peace treaties • Elected the 2 consuls • Elected government officials
Roman Forum The forum was the center of political, commercial and judicial life in ancient Rome. The largest buildings were the basilicas, where legal cases were heard.
1 = Basilica Julia 2 = Temple of Saturn 3 = Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus (on Capitoline hill) 4 = Tabularium (Archive Building) 5 = Temple of Vespasian 6 = Rostra 7 = Temple of Concord 8 = Triumphal Arch of Septimius Severus
Independent Practice • 1. Before 509 BCE, Rome was ruled by a king. Then the city established the Roman Republic with power divided among three branches of government. Why do you think the Romans wanted to govern themselves in this way? • 2. Which branch of government – consuls, Senate, or Assemble – had the most power? Explain your answer. • 3. In what two ways was the power of the two consuls limited? Why do you think this is? • 4. Why was a dictator chosen to head the government in times of emergency? • 5. The government of the United States has a President, Congress, and Supreme Court. Explain one way that the American government is like the ancient Roman government, and one way that it is different. • 6. Why do you think the Patricians finally gave Plebeians the rights they demanded? Hint: it deals with the military and fighting!