Veni, Vidi, Imperavi: The foundations of Roman Government Written and Directed by Mr Drake

Foundations Before Rome was an Empire, it was merely a city; a city ruled by a foreign King. After getting fed up with their tyrannical rule, the Romans fired ‘the stab heard round the world,’ and threw off their oppressors.

Foundations The Romans were stuck! How were they to govern themselves? Having decided that Kings were right out, they needed to come up with a system of rule that depended on more than one person They looked to Greece to find inspiration

Greek Inspiration In Greece they found three forms of government to choose from Monarchy, which is a rule by one person (In Greek mono=one and archein=to rule) Monarchy, which is a rule by one person (In Greek mono=one and archein=to rule) Oligarchy, which is rule by an elite few (olig meaning few in Greek) Oligarchy, which is rule by an elite few (olig meaning few in Greek) Democracy, which is rule by the people (demos=people, kratos=strength) Democracy, which is rule by the people (demos=people, kratos=strength)

Modifying What they Saw However, none of these would work. Instead the Romans took the best features of all governments and made their own

Democracy From Democracy they took the idea of public offices voted on by the people. However, they split their citizens into two groups: Patricians- Rich property owners who could hold high office Patricians- Rich property owners who could hold high office Plebeians- Lower class who could vote in elections but not hold high office Plebeians- Lower class who could vote in elections but not hold high office

Democratic Offices There were several different offices offices The Consul: Convened and presided over the Senate. Led the Legions (Army) in times of war The Consul: Convened and presided over the Senate. Led the Legions (Army) in times of war Praetors: Served as judges. Acted as Consul in their absence Praetors: Served as judges. Acted as Consul in their absence Quaestor: Supervised the actual city and grain supply Quaestor: Supervised the actual city and grain supply Tribunes: The voice of the Plebs Tribunes: The voice of the Plebs Aediles: Ran the treasury Aediles: Ran the treasury

Oligarchy/Aristocracy The Senate comprised the Oligarchy part of the Roman system. The Senate ratified treaties and assigned military command. Even though it was technically supposed to be an advisory body, its control over finances and foreign affairs made it the most important body in Rome The Senate ratified treaties and assigned military command. Even though it was technically supposed to be an advisory body, its control over finances and foreign affairs made it the most important body in Rome

A Touch of Monarchy The final governmental idea the Romans stole from the Greeks was a small bit of monarchy. Even though the Romans were distrustful of Kings, they recognized that there needed to be strong central power. This was held by the Consuls. Also, in times of crisis a Dictator could be appointed, who would rule as a King for six months

The Republic The Romans combined these three systems of Government into their own unique Republic. A republic is a government run by elected officials. As the Romans took from the Greeks, do you see any ideas that our framers may have taken from the Romans?

Resources: The Corsus Honorum: ngvt.html The Corsus Honorum: ngvt.html ngvt.html ngvt.html