1. Mr. Stagnaro Los Banos High School
The Roman Republic
Mr. Stagnaro
Los Banos High School

2. Objectives
To learn about the significance of the Republic in Rome and later democracies.
California Content Standards
Analyze the views of law, reason and faith, and duties of the individual.
Development of Western political thought

3. Content Definition Brief History of the Republic
Republican Government (not GOP)
The Assembly
The Senate
The Consuls
Roman Law

4. Definition
Republic: power rests with the citizens who have the right to elect the leaders who make government decisions (p.8).
Since the Roman world was larger than one city, it became important to include people via representation instead of direct votes.
Also known as an indirect democracy.
The United States government is a republic.

5. Brief History of the Republic
From 753 to 509BC, Rome was ruled by Kings.
It then became a Republic because the people of Rome didn't like the way that King Tarquinius had ruled.
The REPUBLIC was set up to make sure that there weren't any more Tyrants in charge of Rome.
In the Republic there were different parts of the Government. The Three main parts of the government were the Senate, the consuls and the Assemblies.

6. The Republican Government: The Assembly
An Assembly was a gathering of Roman citizens.
Discussed new Laws
Voted on Laws.
The citizens also elected new senators and consuls.
The rich had more votes than the other citizens so power was not shared equally.
The Assembly was composed of all the plebian, the common man.
The Assembly did not have a building. It was the right of the common man to assemble in the Forum and vote.
Chose the 2 Consuls
An Assembly was a gathering of Roman citizens. At these gatherings the citizens discussed new Laws and voted on them to decide whether or not they should become Law. The citizens also elected new senators and consuls at these meetings. The rich had more votes than the other citizens so power was not shared equally. Rich citizens had more political power. Those without vote- women, slaves and those people born in the provinces- had the least power.

7. The Republican Government: The Senate
The Senate was a bit like our Congress.
People were elected by citizens and they had a discussion then voted to decide what should and should not happen.
The Senate was composed of leaders from the patricians, the noble and wealthy families of ancient Rome.
They controlled spending.
Members of the Senate were not elected.
They were chosen by the Consuls.
Once chosen, they served for life. There were 300 seats in the Senate.
The Senate was a bit like our Congress. People were elected by citizens and they had a discussion then voted to decide what should and should not happen. The Senators (people in the senate) elected two consuls to act as leaders. These men decided what would be discussed and had a lot of extra powers. The people though had a lot of power as they could vote to say yes or no to decisions at an Assembly

8. The Republican Government: The Consuls – The highest position
Two (2) elected consuls shared the head of government.
Consuls were members of the Senate, who had been elected to serve for a one year term in the position of Consul
The consuls most important power was that they controlled the army. 
Selected by the Assembly

9. Structure of Government Under the Republic
2 Consuls Head of Government
Senate (300 members)  
Assembly  
PATRICIANS
PLEBEIANS
1 year term
Life 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 army
Directed spending, including tax dollars
Acted as judges
Approved 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.”

10. Roman Laws
Principles
All citizens had the right to equal treatment under the law
A person was considered innocent until proven guilty
The burden of proof rested with the accuser rather than the accused.
Any law that seemed unreasonable or unfair could be set aside.
The Twelve Tables: 451 BC – The rights to protection of the laws
The Justinian Code: AD 528 – Collection of 5,000 laws
Guide on legal matters in Western Europe
Rulers and powerful people are held accountable to the law.