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ROMAN REPUBLIC

ROMAN REPUBLIC. Was not a static institution but rather a continually evolving structure Political participation and eligibility to run for office widened over time Powers of various assemblies and elected officials also changed with time But it also became increasingly corrupt. 35 Tribes.

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ROMAN REPUBLIC

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  1. ROMAN REPUBLIC • Was not a static institution but rather a continually evolving structure • Political participation and eligibility to run for office widened over time • Powers of various assemblies and elected officials also changed with time • But it also became increasingly corrupt

  2. 35 Tribes • “each (Tribe) was headed by a tribune, and these tribunes represented their respective tribes in all civil, religious, and military affairs”A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, 1875. • People of the city of Rome itself, typically belonged to the four urban tribes, which were the largest and had the least political power. These tribes were named for districts of the city. • Landowners and aristocracy traditionally belonged to the 31 smaller rural tribes. • Because each tribe had 1 vote, the less people in your tribe, the more power your voice had.

  3. The Patricians • Original aristocracy of Rome • Had been distinguished citizens who advised Latin kings • Played leading role in overthrowing Etruscans • Once the Etruscans were driven out the patricians declared Rome a republic. They served in the Senate and were very privileged. • Wealth based primarily on ownership of farmland and/or urban real estate • Originally possessed monopoly on membership in Senate and various elected offices

  4. The Plebeians • Free men who could not trace their ancestry back to advisors of Latin kings • Plebeians were a class of citizens who were usually non aristocratic farmers, artisans and shopkeepers, and some were wealthy. • They had served in the army under Etruscans • Etruscans had promoted their interests and protected their civil status • With overthrow of Etruscans they lost power • Patricians would not let them share in government • They did have rights • such as the right to serve in the Assembly • and the right to vote, trade, hold property, and administer judicial self defense.

  5. The Clients were peasant farmers who rented land. They would follow a certain patron and perform political duties, including assassinations, and lying in court, if it would help further his patron's political career. In return, the client often received money, a job, or an invitation to dinner at the patron's house. A dinner invitation may not seem like much to us today, but in Roman times it could mean a great place in society if he appeared at the right dinner parties. His prestige in society would be much more enhanced if he were seen by the rich and famous at only one dinner party hosted by a powerful patron. This patron-client relationship led to many interesting situations in ancient Rome. Sometimes candidates for various government magistracies would travel around Rome with several hundred or even a few thousand of their clients. Lastly were the Slaves, who had no freedom or rights whatsoever unless it was bestowed upon them by their master. The Clients and the Slaves

  6. Patricians versus Plebeians • A series of protests by the plebeians forced the patricians to give rights to the assembly. • Originally the plebeians were authorized two tribunes to serve in the senate, but that number eventually rose to ten • Tribunes had the power to intervene in all political matters and to veto measures they thought were unfair

  7. Increased Representation for Plebeians • During the 4th Century, plebeians became eligible to be elected senators and gained the right to have one of the consuls come from their ranks (Tribune) • By the early 3rd Century, plebeian-dominated assemblies won the power to make decisions binding on all of Rome • Republican Rome was gradually broadening the base of political participation

  8. The Twelve Tables • Written Laws – victory for plebeians • Said that all free citizens had equal protection under the law. (They weren’t really tables, but 12 tablets with written laws.)

  9. Roman Law • All citizens had the right to equal treatment under the law. • A person was considered innocent until proven guilty. • The burden of proof rested with the accuser rather than the accused person. • Any law that seemed unreasonable or grossly unfair could be set aside.

  10. Roman Republic

  11. Senate • The Senate was a select counsel of 300 men who served for life. • Aristocrat branch of Rome • Chosen as members because of how important their family was. • They were mainly very conservative, very privileged, very wealthy, and owned lots of land. • They chose the consuls who ruled Rome. • Plebeians will later be able to be elected to the senate • The senate's principal role was as an advisory council to the two Roman consuls on matters of foreign and military policy, • exercised a great deal of influence over the two consuls. • The senate also managed civil administration within the city. • only the senate could authorize the appropriation of public monies from the treasury • In addition, the senate would try individuals accused of political crimes (such as treason).

  12. Consulship • Consuls • Like Kings commanded the army and government • Limits on power • 1 year term • Must return to the senate after term is up • Could not be reelected for 10 years • Veto power over other consul • Modern day examples

  13. TRIBAL ASSEMBLY • Primary function was to pass laws • Laws were binding to all in Rome • Voting also not done on an individual basis • Done according to tribe • 35 in all; each having one vote • Rich and poor fairly equally distributed in each tribe • Two stumbling blocks • Many members of Head Count did not attend meetings because that meant taking off work • Attendance at Assembly therefore tended to be dominated by the wealthy and their clients • Assembly could not do anything without the collaboration of a tribune • Who only could introduce legislation • Any tribune of the ten could veto legislative proposal • All ten had to agree before a bill became law • Not hard for wealthy to find one tribune to do their dirty work for them

  14. Close: Describe 3 ways in which the government of the Roman Republic was similar to our own. Describe 2 ways in which it differed.

  15. How was the government of Rome similar to the government of the United States? 1 paragraph summary of Roman Republic. Include comparison to U.S. government

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