Chapter 11, Lesson 2

 Rome’s government reflected division within social classes.  Patricians: Rome’s ruling class made up of wealthy landowners that came from Rome’s oldest and most prominent families.  Plebeians: Rome’s majority. Not as wealthy or even poor artisans, shopkeepers and small farm owners.  Men from both groups: a.) Were citizens c.) had to pay taxes b.) Could vote d.) had to serve in the army

 Plebeians’ could not: a.) marry a patrician b.) hold public office c.) lead public ceremonies that honored Roman gods.  These social inequalities would create struggles over the right to rule.

 The government of Rome was divided into 3 branches.  There was a system of checks and balances to make sure no branch gained too much power. Legislative Made Laws Executive Ran daily government affairs. Could also make laws. Judicial Judges Helped run the government. Could lead armies.

 Two patrician consuls headed the government. Consuls Served one year in office. Had short terms so they could not be too powerful. They could veto each others’ decisions. Administrators and Army Leaders

 Praetors: Interpreted the law, served as judges and could lead armies.  The Senate was Rome’s legislature. Senate Debated foreign policy Proposed laws Approved the construction of roads and temples Made up of 300 Patrician men.

Assembly of Centuries: Elected consuls and praetors Passed Laws Controlled by patricians Another legislative body

 The plebeians grew tired of paying taxes and serving in the army with no political power.  494 B.C.: plebeians went on strike, refused to fight in the army and even left Rome to create their own government.  The patricians feared the collapse of their republic and gave the plebeians their own body of representatives called the Council of Plebs.

 The Council of Plebs elected officials called tribunes, who voiced plebeian concerns to the government and could veto government decisions.  Eventually, plebeians were allowed to become consuls and marriages between plebeians and patricians became legal.  287 B.C.: Councils of Plebs was given the right to pass laws for all Romans- meaning all males were equal, though women continued to have no rights.  Rome was more representative, but still not democratic.

 To lead Rome, the Romans created the office of dictator.  During a time of crisis, the senate appointed a dictator to lead until the crisis was over at which point the regular governmental powers would be restored.  458 B.C.- a powerful Roman enemy threatened Rome and the once Roman consul, Cincinnatus, was appointed as dictator by the senate.

 Cincinnatus created and led the Roman army to victory, resigned as dictator, and was back to plowing his farm just 16 days after taking control of the government.  He was an example of how to fulfill one’s civic duty.

 One of Rome’s greatest contributions was its system of law.  At first, Roman laws were not written down but the plebeians felt that would allow judges to be biased.  451 B.C.- Rome adopted the first written code of laws known as the Twelve Tables because they were carved on 12 bronze tablets and places in Rome’s Forum.  These laws were the foundation for all Roman Laws and supported the ideal that ALL free citizens had the right to equal treatment under the law.  The Law of Nations: An expansion on the system of laws to include those who were not Roman citizens but lived anywhere in Roman land.

 The ideas found in Roman laws are woven throughout the American legal system including: A.) A person is assumed innocent until proven guilty. B.) People accused of crimes have the right to defend themselves before a judge. C.) Judges must consider all of the evidence before reaching a decision.  Rule of Law: laws apply to everyone equally and the legal system should treat everyone the same.  Today, the Rule of Law is the guiding principle in the American Legal System.