1. Cicero’s Speech

2. Q: What kind of government did they have in the era of the Roman Republic? A: A Republic (Res Publica) ---The people have a role in the government ---Based on Checks and Balances ---Model for many modern countries today

3. Big Unit Question: How did Rome rise to greatness and fall so quickly
Big Unit Question: How did Rome rise to greatness and fall so quickly? Think: Did this government structure make Rome strong or weak? How would you (as your character) feel about this structure?

4. PATRICIANS
PLEBIANS
SENATE
ASSEMBLY
MAGISTRATES
2 CONSULS
TRIBUNES
EMERGENCY
DICTATOR

5. PLEBIANS ASSEMBLY Role of Assembly
PATRICIANS
PLEBIANS
PLEBIANS:
MAJORITY OF POPULATION
SOME WEALTHY, SOME NOT
PATRICIANS:
WEALTHY
10% OF POPULATION
ASSEMBLY
Who voted in the ASSEMBLY:
All male citizens of military age (15) could participate
Announcement posted about a vote
Met outside in the Forum
Speeches were given, debates held
Voting was public
Role of Assembly
Elected Government Officials
Voted on laws suggested by Senators
Declared War or Peace

6. Analyze: How might public voting affect the results
Analyze: How might public voting affect the results? Who had the most power in the Assembly? If you wanted to be elected to government office, who would you have to please?

7. PATRICIANS
PLEBIANS
SENATE
ASSEMBLY
MAGISTRATES
2 CONSULS
TRIBUNES
EMERGENCY
DICTATOR

8. 2 Consuls
Ran the Government, had to agree on all decisions
Served 1 year, then not again for at least 10
Had to be Patricians (this changes)
Controlled the army
Acted as judges in disputes
Magistrates
Government officials: judges, organized festivals, collected taxes, supervised building projects etc.
Usually elected for 1 year
Could be either patrician or plebian
10 Tribunes
Elected by Plebians only
Could attend the Senate
Could veto (forbid) debated laws
ASSEMBLY
MAGISTRATES
2 CONSULS
TRIBUNES

9. Analyze: How were the rights of the lower classes represented
Analyze: How were the rights of the lower classes represented? How were the rights of the upper class represented? How did the Romans make sure the Consuls didn’t have too much power? If the Assembly wanted to declare war, who’s support would they need? How would people holding office for only 1 year affect the running of the government?

10. PATRICIANS
PLEBIANS
SENATE
ASSEMBLY
MAGISTRATES
2 CONSULS
TRIBUNES
EMERGENCY
DICTATOR

11. Senate
300 members
Served for Life
Had to be Patricians
Usually were retired magistrates
Chosen by the Consuls
Advised the Consuls and the Tribunes
Controlled the money, determined taxes
Could veto laws accepted by the Assembly
Made all decisions regarding foreign powers (treaties, trade etc.)
SENATE
MAGISTRATES

12. Analyze: How could the Senate limit the power of the Assembly
Analyze: How could the Senate limit the power of the Assembly? Could the Assembly limit the power of the Senate? If the Assembly wanted to declare war and the Consuls agreed, how could the Senate keep it from happening? How would the fact that Senators served for life affect the decision making process? Why is the Senate often considered the most powerful part of the Roman government?

13. PATRICIANS
PLEBIANS
SENATE
ASSEMBLY
MAGISTRATES
2 CONSULS
TRIBUNES
EMERGENCY
DICTATOR

14. Emergency Dictator
In times of emergency, consuls could appoint a ‘temporary’ dictator
This person would serve for as long as the Consuls and Senate decided (ex: 15 days, 6 months)
Dictators did not need approval for decisions
Still ‘guided’ by Senate and Consuls and Assembly
When the time of crisis was over, things returned to normal
2 CONSULS
EMERGENCY
DICTATOR

15. Analyze: How could the ‘emergency dictator’ rule help Rome
Analyze: How could the ‘emergency dictator’ rule help Rome? How could the ‘emergency dictator rule’ hurt Rome?

16. To Do: 1. Download your journal assignment sheet 2
To Do: 1. Download your journal assignment sheet 2. Download the ‘better vocabulary’ document 3. With your table, discuss the important facts of the class, type them in the fact box 4. With your group, discuss the way your characters may feel about the government structure. Try to use ‘better vocabulary’ to discuss. 5. Write your paragraph diary entry. Make references to the facts (explain them) and explain how your character feels.