Everyday Statesman: Exploring Roman Citizens and the Path to Political Success

1. Chapter 13 Everyday Statesman

2. Focus • In this presentation you will learn about the types of citizens, the path for a successful political career and the role of the Senate. • Key Terms • Patrician, Plebeian, Equites • CursusHonorum: Quaestor, Aedile, Praetor, Consul

3. SPQR Citizens Non Citizens Women Slaves Foreigners • Patricians • Plebeians • Nobles • Equites(Knights) Citizens were given the right to vote and the duty of military service.

4. Citizens Patricians Plebeians Everyone else! • The wealthiest class from established families EQUITES NOBLES • Wealthy plebeians • Originated from the cavalry • businessmen • Must have property worth 400,000 sesterces • A Later title used to distinguish the rich from the poor • Included the Patricians and the Equites

5. CursusHonorum • Questor • **Aedile • *Praetor • *Consul Curule *curule magistrates which meant they were able to sit in a special chair sellacurulis which was an ivory folding stool **Only the 2 patrician aediles were curule

6. Quaestor • sought at the ages of 27-30 • Term = 1 year • There were several Quaestors with the number increasing along with the size of the empire • Usually sought often 10 years in the military and having been a military or plebeian tribune • Was the “Treasurer” • Collected the taxes and oversaw expenditures

7. Aedile • sought 2 years after Questor • Term = 1 year • Originally were 2 plebeians but 2 patricians were added • Oversaw public works including public buildings(like temples), roads, markets, the grain dole and games • An optional but favorable office since it allowed the person to win support through providing lavish games.

8. Praetor • sought 2 years after Aedile • were in their 30’s • Term = 1 year • Had ‘imperium’ or supreme authority, including the ability to apply/execute the death penalty • 2 types: praetor urbanus; praetor peregrinus • Number of Praetors grew along with empire • Were the supreme civil judges • Urbanus: oversaw suits between citizens • Peregrinus: oversaw suits involving foreigners • Propraetor served in a province ‘in place of' the praetor

9. Consul • sought 2 years after Praetor • were at least 42 • Term = 1 year • Had ‘imperium’ or supreme authority, including the ability to apply/execute the death penalty • Re-election only after 10 years • There were 2 so that no one man could have all the power • Were military commanders • Presided over the senate • Proconsul served in a province ‘in place of' the consul Lucius Junius Brutus the 1st consul

10. Tribunes • Military Tribune • Elected by his legion • Sought after a minimum of 5 years of service • Plebeian Tribune aka: Tribune of the plebs • Elected by the Concilium Plebis • Protected the plebeians • Held the power of veto and could stop legislation or the games or anything else that might oppress a plebeian.

11. Dictator • was appointed only in time of emergency • had supreme control and imperium • was a 6 month term • the other magistrates remained in office but the dictator had the ultimate power to lead the army and decide judicial matters • Cincinnatus was an ideal dictator who called upon in a time of crisis, lead Rome to safety and then willingly gave up the power to go back to work on his farm Statue of Cincinatus in Ohio

12. Censors • Censor • Only used in times of the census (every 5 years) • Appointed by comitia centuriata from former consuls • determined a citizen’s status (patrician, pleb, etc)

13. Roman Assemblies • Senate • Comitia Curiata • Comitia Centuriata • Comitia Tributa • Concilium Plebis

14. Senate • Members: 100, 300, 600 (80BC), 900 (reform of Julius Caesar) • Not elected; entry was given for holding a high office (one on the cursus honorm) or birth and for having property worth 1,000,000 sesterces • Served as advisors to magistrates • Made decrees not laws • Sent “bills” to various comitia for voting • Expelled only for misconduct

15. Comitia Curiata • Based on the Curiae which was the organization of the original 3 tribes • Important earlier on in Rome’s History • Met only formally on occasion to bestow imperium on consuls and praetors

16. Comitia Centuriata • Based on the centuries (voting units) • Admission to unit was based on your ability to provide equipment for military service • The wealthier centuries had more votes • Decided on military matters (war and peace) • Elected Praetors and Consul • Heard appeals of capital cases (death penalty) • Met on the Campus Martius

17. Comitia Tributa • Based on 35 tribes • Decided on bills sent by magistrates • Elected Quaestors and Aediles • Heard appeals of non-capital cases • Met in the Roman Forum (pictured below)

18. ConciliumPlebis • Based on 35 tribes • Plebeians Only! • Elected Plebeian Tribunes and Aediles • after 287BC its resolutions became laws for all known as plebiscita • Met in the Roman forum (pictured below)

19. Assignment Now you will need to give a campaign speech of your own. You will need to give a speech in the voice board. This is like a discussion board but it allows you the record your post and response. You can also type your post. Your speech should include: • An introduction of your self • What office you are seeking • What experience/previous positions held • What you will do for Rome, given the parameters of the office you are seeking • Don’t forget “vote” by responding to a classmate’s post. You would want to state why you are voting (or not) for the person...based on their speech.