2 elected Consuls shared the head of government Members of the Senate – serve 1 year term Consul = highest position in government Controlled the army – Military leaders Highest Judges

Composed of leaders from the Patricians Law makers of the Roman Republic Members were not elected – they were chosen by the Consuls and they served for life

Composed of all the plebeian citizens of Rome = common man The assembly did not have a building, instead they met in the Forum It was the right of the common man to assemble here and vote Have very limited power Could vote or suggest laws but the senate can block their decision. Could vote to declare war But the senate could override that decision Had a very high and impressive power: Assembly voted each year on which two members of the Senate would serve as Consuls

It is the center for banking, commerce, and law for all of Rome This is where the Assembly met The 12 tables were displayed here for all to see

In the Roman republic every citizen could vote for their leaders, but who were the citizens? Only adult free men could be citizens. That meant women, children and slaves were not citizens, and could not vote. The people needed to know what the laws were. They also wanted to make sure that the law applied to everyone rich and poor alike. Engraved the law on tablets of metal and put them in the forum Called the Twelve Tables because there were twelve different sections. These laws were about crime and property and family matters like marriage and inheritance.

These have been simplified and reworded but hopefully the meanings have not been changed. If you are called to appear in court you have to go. If you don't you can be arrested and forced to go. If you need a witness in court and they refuse to go you can stand in front of their house and shout out how they are refusing to do their duty as a citizen. You can do this once every three days. Should a tree on a neighbor's farm be bent by the wind and lean over onto your farm, you can go to court and get the tree cut down.

Roman citizens were divided into two classes, Plebeians and Patricians. The plebeians were the lower class. They included everyone who was not a patrician. They were sometimes just called plebs. The patricians were the upper class. They were the wealthy land owners. Plebeians and Patricians rarely mixed socially

2 Consuls Head of Government Senate (300 members)Assembly PATRICIANS PLEBEIANS 1 year termLife term Consuls chose the Senators Elected the 2 Consuls Ran the government, overseeing the work of other government officials. Advised the consuls. Advised the Assembly. Elected government officials including judges. Directed (commanded) the armyDirected spending, including tax dollars Acted as judgesApproved or disapproved laws made by the Assembly Voted on laws suggested by government officials In an emergency, consuls could choose a dictator – a single ruler to make quick decisions. Made decisions concerning relationships with foreign powers Declared war or peace Both consuls had to agree on their decisions. Each had the power to Veto the other. In Latin, veto means “I forbid.”