The Roman Republic Rome Frees itself from the Tyranny of Kings And Establishes a Republic

The Republic is Founded 753 BC Rome was founded, traditionally ca.620 BC it came under the domination of their neighbors the Etruscans. 509 BC The last Etruscan King Tarquin is thrown out of Rome The aristocratic class or “Patricians” established a “Republic” ruled by a “Senate” that represented their families Rome would have no more Kings!

Two Branches of Government Executive Two Consuls…who could “veto” each other. They ran the Government In times of crisis the Senate elected a temporary Dictator who could overrule the consuls Legislative The Senate made: Foreign Policy, Laws, & Contracts for public works The Assembly of the common people or “plebeians” who elected officials But only Patricians could hold office.

The 12 Tables and Other Reforms The Plebeians wanted more power… 494 BC they refuse to fight in the army Until… The patricians allow them to elect two Tribunes who can “veto” the Senate. Debt Slavery is ended 451 BC the plebeians force the Patricians to make a law code, engraved in bronze on The Twelve Tables

S. P. Q. R. The Roman Republic embodied two important political ideas… Rule of Law: the idea that all people are subject to the law without exception. Popular Sovereignty: That the right to rule flows from the consent of the people. Everything the Republic did was signed S.P.Q.R. SENATATUS POPULUSQUE ROMAE “by the Senate and People of Rome”