1. Rome develops a Republic

2. From Kingdom to Republic 509 B.C.E. Overthrew Etruscan king Set up Republic: A form of government which power rests with citizens who have the right to elect the leaders, no monarch.

3. Early Republic: battle for power Patricians Aristocratic landowners who held most of the power. Plebeians Common people at the beginning of the Republic they were denied the power to elect officials.

4. Republican Government Separate branches: Legislative, Executive and Judicial Two Consuls- Executive Officials who commanded the army and directed the government. Term of office one year, elected by the Patricians Senate- legislative Aristocratic (Patricians) branch of Rome’s government Controlled foreign and financial policies and advised consuls.

5. Tribunes (legislative) Elected by the plebeians to represent their interests in government They had the power to veto measures they judged unfair

6. Roman Law “Believed that laws should be based on principles of reason and justice and should protect citizens and their property. This idea applied to all people regardless of their nationality.” This idea had a great influence on the development of democracy in western world.

7. A Written Legal Code 450 B.C.E. Twelve tables Assured that all citizens had a right to the protection of the law. These laws or versions of these laws have been assimilated into modern democracies. Such as innocent until proven guilty and the right to face your accuser before a judge in a court of law.