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Rise of the Roman Republic. Mr. Bowling. Classes of Rome. Patricians. Plebeians. Lower-class citizens Peasants, laborers, craftspeople, and shopkeepers 95% of Rome’s population Little say in the g’ment Forced to be in the military. Upper-class citizens Wealthy landowners
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Rise of the Roman Republic Mr. Bowling
Classes of Rome Patricians Plebeians Lower-class citizens Peasants, laborers, craftspeople, and shopkeepers 95% of Rome’s population Little say in the g’ment Forced to be in the military • Upper-class citizens • Wealthy landowners • Chose the men who advised the Etruscan king. • Controlled the most valuable land • Held the important military and religious offices.
Creating a Republic • 509 B.C.E. • Patricians rebelled against the Etruscans • They established a republic • Elected officials who work for the interests of the people • People=Patricians, but not the Plebeians
Patricians Choose the Leaders • 300 men elected by the patricians • Called the Senate • Served for life • Had most of the power • Appointed other g’ment officials and served as judges. • 2 consuls shared command of the army. • The Senate was supposed to advise the consuls. • Decisions made by the Senate were treated as law.
Plebeians Rebel • Patricians would often change rules and laws to benefit themselves • This was easy because they weren’t written down. • Only they could become consuls and senators. • Plebeians had to fight to get what they wanted • Conflict of the Orders • Conflict b/w the patricians and plebeians • Very heated during times of war • Plebs were forced to fight in the army even though it was the patricians decision to go to war.
Plebeians and the 1st Protest • 491 B.C.E. • Population of Rome was b/w 25,000-40,000. • Most were plebeians • Plebeians walked out of the city due to a lack of power • Camped out on a hill outside of the city. • Refused to come back into the city until the patricians met their demands • Patricians panicked • The city depended on the plebeians (Farming and work stopped) • They feared attack from outsiders
Equality is Coming • The plebeian revolt led to major changes in Rome • Plebeians could now elect officials Tribunes of Plebs • The tribunes spoke to the Senate and consuls on behalf of the plebs. • Started out as 2 but grew to 10. • Eventually, the power to veto came into play. • Overruled actions of the Senate and g’ment that were unfair • The plebeians used protests for over 200 years to finally gain equality.
Equality Arrives • 451 B.C.E Laws had to be written down • First laws were written on tablets Twelve Tables • 367 B.C.E. 1 of the consuls had to be a plebeian • This allowed for plebeians to become Senators • Former consuls would become Senators • 287 B.C.E. Plebeians gained the right to pass laws for all Roman citizens
Influences Seen Today • Rome was ruled by a written constitution (set of basic laws) • Elected assemblies, citizenship, and civic duty • Checks and balances of power. • Having the good of the people as the highest priority.