Rome

What to Know About Rome Standard: 6-2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of life in ancient civilizations and contributions to the modern world. Indicator: 6-2.3 Describe the development of Roman civilization, including language, government, architecture, and engineering.

You should be able to… Today Describe the development of Rome’s early government and its contributions to the modern world

Government It is said that the United States of America is a democracy, but technically it isn't.

Government In a democracy, all people vote on all the laws. America is actually a republic: We vote for people (senators and representatives) and they vote on the laws. This means we have more time to work, take naps and chat online. But where did this amazing idea of a republic come from?

Roman Government It came from the Romans (who adapted it from the Greeks). Life in the Roman Republic wasn't all good, though. Like many other civilizations at the time, the Romans had slaves - lots of them. One slave, a man named Spartacus, led one of the largest slave uprisings in the history of the world. It was so big, the Romans called it a war. And indeed, that's what it was. Cicero addresses the Roman Senate

Think, Turn and talk, share How could the republican set-up of the Roman government have influenced the governments in the world today, especially the United States government?

You should be able to… Today Describe the development of early Roman government as a “republic” and its contributions to the modern world

Your notes about rome as a republic

Rome as a republic Notes Government republic (representative) created offices that represented various people gave people voices (directly and indirectly) tribunes (represented plebeians) plebeians (common people) assemblies senate consuls served 1 year-term as civil and military authority used checks and balances no one person has too much power

How does this compare to U.S. government? rome as a republic So…what do we know: How does this compare to U.S. government? At the top of the republic were two consuls - sort of like co-presidents. They both had to agree on which course of action to take - one could veto (the Latin word for "I forbid it,") the idea of the other. Beneath them was the Senate, a group of elected men from the ranks of the wealthy, (and they were all men - women weren't allowed to be in the Senate or be consuls). Senators served for life, and they helped the consuls decide what was best for Rome. Sometimes they took advice from the tribunes, who were men elected to speak for the poorer classes. The tribunes got their power from the Assembly, which was a huge body designed to represent the regular people and working classes. Tribunes could veto laws in the Senate, so they were positions of some note.

Think, turn and talk, share Describe the development of early Roman government as a “republic” and its contributions to the modern world tribunes assemblies consuls