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The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic. Libertyville High School. Government: Aristocratic Republic (Oligarchy). Two consuls Elected by Curia for a 1 year term Acted as check / balance against each other Two quaestors (financial managers) Dictator In times of great danger, temporary king appointed

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The Roman Republic

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  1. The Roman Republic Libertyville High School

  2. Government: Aristocratic Republic (Oligarchy) • Two consuls • Elected by Curia for a 1 year term • Acted as check / balance against each other • Two quaestors(financial managers) • Dictator • In times of great danger, temporary king appointed • Held power for 6 months • Given life / death power

  3. Republic’s Government • New Senate • 300 senators • All patricians • Hereditary position • Advised consuls • New popular assembly • Elected all office holders • All male citizens were members • Only patricians could hold office • Main way to express will of people

  4. Problems of Republic: Class Warfare • Patricians vs. plebeians – why? • Patricians • Lived in cities whose walls protected their property • Bought their way out of military service • Patrician status inherited

  5. Problems: Class warfare • Plebeians • Lived outside cities • When in army, lands neglected • During war, farms devastated by enemy, families driven away • Army conscription increased from 10-16 years; thus, plebeians away for a long time

  6. Problems: Class warfare • Law of debt • If plebeians owned land, they generally needed to borrow money to start farm • If they couldn’t pay debt, they were arrested, made slave of creditor • Creditor usually a patrician • Effect: keep poor in poverty

  7. Problems: Class warfare • Unequal division of land • All land acquired through war belonged to all people • But government in hands of patricians who used public lands for their own benefit • Allowed it to be used by other patricians • Patricians thought of public land as theirs!

  8. Problem: Class Warfare Plebeians revolted, threatened to start their own city near Rome Patricians, seeing loss of their army, made legal changes

  9. Table of Laws (450 BC) • Legal changes • Cancel all debts and release all debtors from prison • Create new public office: Tribune • 2 appointed from Plebian class • Given power to veto any patrician office holder who acted unjustly • Tribunes could not be arrested • Put on bronze tablets near forum

  10. Roman Citizenship, post 450 BC • Rights • Hold office, if patrician • Vote • Social intermarriage (Patrician, plebian) • Own property • Enter into legal contracts (become merchant) • Demands • Service in army • Pay taxes

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