The Roman Republic Senatus Populusque Romanus= Senate and People of Rome

TIME PERIODS Roman Origins: Legend states 753 BCE settlements on Palatine Hill along the Tiber River ( Romans dated events from this starting point (A.U.C- “Ab Urbe Condita”=from the founding of the city) Taken over by the ETRUSCANS to the North Roman Republic BCE Etruscan kings overthrown ; Rome wants to no more KINGS. A political system called a REPUBLIC is established with power in the hands of elected officials as well as an elite group of men from the founding aristocracy: THE SENATE Ended with Battle of Actium in 31 BCE Roman Empire 31 BCE- 476 CE A series of EMPERORS (some effective, many ineffective, self-serving and dangerous) End of Western Roman Empire traditionally dated to 476 CE, when last emperor, Romulus Augustus, deposed by invading BARBARIANS.

Summary of WHO held the power in the Early Republic The ruling aristocracy were called the Patricians: Patres=Father Originally, only men from these historically "great" families could hold political or religious office: i.e. Julii, Claudii, Cornelii All Roman citizens who were NOT patricians were classed as PLEBEIANS (it is inaccurate to called this division a rich vs. poor one since MANY plebeians were quite wealthy. The wealthy Plebeians would soon take on a leadership role by rallying their class to seek more political equality in Rome.

Early Government of the Republic: Patricians and Plebeians Patricians Land holding aristocracy Controlled the government of the Republic Two consuls elected for a one-year One could be given title of dictator in times of crisis(but only for 6 months) Senate About 300 patricians Served for life Controlled by about 12 Patrician families Plebeians Middle and Lower class of people Some owned land, owned businesses or worked farms as tenant farmers- thus, all levels of wealth Forced to serve in the military if they met the requirements (had to own land and provide own weapons) Few rights and little power Could not run for public office, but could vote (often bribed) Could not marry into the nobility (the patrician class) Little say in the creation of laws Continuously threatened to break away from Rome and create their own city.

Other Elected Roman Officials (Public Offices) Aediles ran city (“local”) government: maintained roads, water supply, roads and games Censors kept track of citizen property lists, and in later years took charge of public morality. Could appoint new senators and remove any for impropriety. MOST famous was CATO the Elder Dictators, with absolute power, were elected by the Senate in times of emergency to rule for six months. Praetors were in charge of administering justice, could command armies Quaesters were in charge of Roman finances.

The Plebeian struggle for Social and Political rights is called the Conflict of Orders The Issues: 1.Plebeians are spending a lot of time serving the army during the many wars of the republic. RESULT: Plebeians are going into debt because they cannot work their farms 2.There is no uniform system of laws. RESULT: The Plebeians are being taken advantage of by the Patricians who control the law courts. 3.Political offices are not open to the Plebeians RESULT: They cannot pass or influence laws that would benefit them and help them remedy the above ***They also WENT ON STRIKE and refused to serve in the Roman military. (this made the Patricians listen…. SEE NEXT SLIDE)

Plebeians finally start to earn greater political rights in Rome. After over 100 years of protests and conflicts, This is what they got…. ASSEMBLY: Plebeians got their own assembly. (Concilium Plebis) INTERMARRIAGE: Plebeians were given the right to marry patricians. PUBLIC OFFICES: These were opened to Plebeians. Even election to be a consul TRIBUNES: Plebeians got to elect 10 tribunes. These were officials with veto (“I forbid”) power. Their role was to watch for abuses against the Plebeians in any of the Public Offices and intervene on the behalf of the Plebeians. (could veto unjust laws for instance) They could also propose NEW LAWS in the assembly) TWELVE TABLES: Laws were written down. This protected plebeians from biased patrician judges. 450 B.C.E.

To Summarize… Rome was governed by the SENATE and PEOPLE of Rome….very much in that order. Even though public office was open to all male citizens of Rome (democratic), the SENATE still held the most power as they influenced policy and made the military decisions.

Typical Roman “Career” Path Start off as Quaestor at age 28 (min. age) Next, become an Aedile or Tribune of the People Seek election as Praetor If you are VERY popular, you could now seek election to become a consul After your term, you could end your career as a Censor Competition amongst the ELITE for these positions was INTENSE.

The Roman Ideal… Being part of the Senatorial Elite was the ultimate in social and political status in Rome. There was a pecking order in the Senate determined by each man’s “Dignitas” (based on your ancestor’s reputation and the honourable deeds of your family) A man could “add” to his family’s dignitas by increasing his own through “Gloria”. The highest form of gloria was achieved through war, through leading armies to victory Every Roman noble sought gloria to increase his dignitas and surpass his rivals within the senatorial elite.

Why the Punic Wars are Important… Yes, Rome gains its first provinces and begins to build an Empire. But also, the “model” of the Roman Ideal emerged in Scipio Africanus. Men who sought to outdo to prestige of this man, would soon threaten the very system that gave them power….THE REPUBLIC

SCIPIO AFRICANUS Scipio, was the incredibly successful Roman General during the Second Punic War. In him we see for the first time a man whose personal authority and gloria threatened the collective rule of the senate. When Scipio became consul in 205 before the ZAMA campaign, he had only just reached 30 ears of age. He had never held any of the junior offices usually required before the consulship and was given command ahead of older men of his time. Scipio’s unprecedented career, raised the bar of competition for all of the senatorial elite. We can see now, that Scipio was the first of the Republican Warlords. Men whose charisma, wealth and gloria gave them the status to rival the senate. It was inevitable that others would seek to rival Scipio’s achievement. The long line of warlords to emerge after him, culminated in Julius Caesar…. ~Paraphrased from The Roman Republic By David M Gwynn~

WHAT PROBLEMS DO WE SEE IN ROME’S FUTURE?