1. The Early Roman Republic

2. Phases of Roman Government Roman MonarchyRoman Monarchy –753 – 509 BCE Roman RepublicRoman Republic –509 – 31 BCE Roman EmpireRoman Empire –31 BCE – 476 CE

3. Rome’s Early Republican Government Consuls 2 leaders of Rome2 leaders of Rome Military command of the armies (imperium)Military command of the armies (imperium) Judges and legislatorsJudges and legislators Did not have religious functionDid not have religious function Elected annuallyElected annually Resembled kings, but WERE NOT KINGSResembled kings, but WERE NOT KINGS

4. Rome’s Early Republican Government The Senate Existed under the kingsExisted under the kings –Advisors only Controlled Rome’s financesControlled Rome’s finances Created and passed lawsCreated and passed laws Elected for a lifetime of serviceElected for a lifetime of service All elected officials became members of the SenateAll elected officials became members of the Senate Must have a certain income and backgroundMust have a certain income and background

5. Rome’s Early Republican Government Comitia Centuriata All citizens belongedAll citizens belonged Categorized by wealthCategorized by wealth –Some citizens were more equal than others Elected all officials (consuls)Elected all officials (consuls) Declared war, ratified treaties and lawsDeclared war, ratified treaties and laws

6. Rome has 2 classes of citizens Patricians Rome’s aristocratsRome’s aristocrats CitizensCitizens Claimed divine heritageClaimed divine heritage Consisted of the Famous FamiliesConsisted of the Famous Families Controlled the political, social, religious, and economic life of RomeControlled the political, social, religious, and economic life of Rome Could sit in the SenateCould sit in the SenatePlebeians Non-aristocratsNon-aristocrats Citizens of RomeCitizens of Rome –Non-slaves Range from middle to lower classesRange from middle to lower classes May be wealthy from tradeMay be wealthy from trade –Rural farmers –Artisans May not sit in the Senate or serve as a religious leaderMay not sit in the Senate or serve as a religious leader

7. Struggle of the Orders Plebeian Grievances Upper class plebeians barred from serving in the government Middle and lower classes overtaxed Rural farmers forced to serve in Army Harsh debtor laws Patricians had control of the legal system CorruptCorrupt Patricians had control of higher army offices Not always good generalsNot always good generals Patricians made economic laws Not allowed to do business – did not always create good economic policyNot allowed to do business – did not always create good economic policy

8. Results of Plebeian Complaints 1.Twelve Tables (450ish BCE) Law Code for everyoneLaw Code for everyone 2.Licinian-Sextian Law (367 BCE) 1 patrician, 1 plebeian consul elected each year1 patrician, 1 plebeian consul elected each year Wealthy plebeians could enter SenateWealthy plebeians could enter Senate 3.Publilian Law (339 BCE) New plebeian assembly could pass laws independent of the SenateNew plebeian assembly could pass laws independent of the Senate 4.Hortensian Law (287 BCE) Laws passed by plebeian assembly applied to plebeians and patriciansLaws passed by plebeian assembly applied to plebeians and patricians

9. The Twelve Tables, 450 BCE Provided political and social rights for the plebeians.

10. The Twelve Tables TABLE I Procedure: for courts and trials TABLE II Trials, continued. TABLE III Debt TABLE IV Rights of fathers (paterfamilias) TABLE V Legal guardianship and inheritance laws TABLE VI Acquisition and possession TABLE VII Land rights TABLE VIII Torts and delicts (Laws of injury) TABLE IX Public law TABLE X Sacred law TABLE XI Supplement I TABLE XII Supplement II

11. Sample Laws IV. 1 "A dreadfully deformed child shall be killed.“ XI. 1 "Marriage shall not take place between a patrician and a plebeian.“ VIII. 1 "If any person has sung or composed against another person a SONG (carmen) such as was causing slander or insult.... he shall be clubbed to death.“ ? "There are eight kinds of punishment: fine, fetters, flogging, retaliation in kind, civil disgrace, banishment, slavery, death."

12. Republican Government by 4 c BCE 2 Consuls (Rulers of Rome) Senate (Representative body for patricians and plebeians) Plebeian Assembly (Representative body for plebeians)

13. The Roman Forum