Rome & the Rise of Christianity

1. Rome & the Rise of Christianity Ch. 1.3A

2. I. Roman citizens in Early Roman Republic 2 grps Patricians Plebians A. Landowners who formed the ruling class B. Can vote C. Can hold office A. Small landowners, merchants, and farmers B. Can vote

3. II. Roman Republic • B. The Senate had about 300 patricians who served for life. At first only as advisors, but by the 3rd century had the power to execute law • C. Centuriate assembly – most imp. people’s assembly. Elected consuls, praetors, and passed laws. Org. by classes based on $, so the rich were always “the majority”

4. D. Conflict btwn patricians & pleb. 1. Plebians – wanted political & soc. equality. 2. Council of the Plebs – 471 BC E. By 287 BC, all male Roman cit. were = under the law. But, there was a new senatorial ruling class that came to dominate politics, so truly it was NOT a democ.

5. III. Roman Contributions A. system of law 1. (12 Tables, 450 BC) 2. dev. sophist. system of law later on B. As Rome dev., a body of law called the Law of Nations (natural/universal law) based on reason. 1. innocent until proven guilty 2. the accused were allowed to defend themselves 3. judges looked at evidence carefully before making a decision