Government and Society The Roman Republic Government and Society

The Roman Republic about

How did Rome start? People had been living on the Italian Peninsula since the ?! Waves of people came from the North through the ? ? – settled in villages along the Tiber River, united the villages to form Rome ? – took over Rome, blended into the population, brought culture ? – brought religion

Early Rome – 600 B.C.E.

Is it a city? Is it a civilization? Both! Rome was a large, powerful city located along the ? on the Italian Peninsula. It became a large civilization that covered the ?

Rome becomes a Republic 509 B.C.E. - Wealthy Roman landowners ? the Etruscan king In place of the monarchy, the Romans established a ?!

So…What is a Republic?

Citizenship Citizens Non-citizens Selected aliens Most aliens Slaves Patricians & Plebeian ? Selected aliens Non-citizens ? Most aliens Slaves

Citizenship Rights and responsibilities Vote Pay ? Serve in the ?

Social Classes ? Powerful nobility (few in number) Majority of the population Not based on race, harsh life

Roman Republic: Structure of Government Consuls Senate Assemblies

Consuls Number of People: 2 Role: chief executives Term: 1 year Class: Patricians

Consuls Responsibilities Commanded the army Run the government Commanded the army Listen to the Senate’s advice Power to veto (refuse to approve) acts of the other consul

Senate Number of People: 300 Role: Make laws Term: Life Class: Patricians

Senate Responsibilities Most influential and powerful Controlled public funds Decided foreign policy

Assemblies Role: Groups of Roman citizens who voted Included Plebeians!

Assemblies Responsibilities Elect officials (including consuls) Vote to make war or peace Serve as courts Elect 10 officials called tribunes, who had some power over actions by the Senate Tribunes had the power to veto actions if they were not in the public interest

In case of emergency… Establish a dictatorship. The ? could propose that a citizen become ? (an absolute ruler) for up to 6 months The ? would then appoint the dictator

The Twelve Tables ? of the Roman Republic engraved on twelve stone tablets The Twelve Tables were placed in the ?, the main public square, for all to view

Court System ? They were elected Oversaw the Roman legal system