Rome as a Republic

Rome as a Republic

Government and Classes

Early Romans were divided into two classes

Patricians

Plebeians

Patricians

• The ruling class

• Wealthy landowners

• Higher social position

Plebeians

• Ordinary citizen and most of the Roman people

• Included artisans, shopkeepers, and owners of small farms

Multiple Select

Which two groups were considered citizens?

• Women

• Patricians

• Plebeians

• Slaves

Multiple Choice

Which group was of a higher social status?

• Plebeians

• Patricians

• Slaves

• Women

Multiple Select

Which groups were not considered citizens?

• Women

• Patricians

• Plebeians

• Slaves

Roman Government

Republic (elected officials represented the people)

Separated into three branches

• Consuls

• Senate

• Assembly of Centuries

Consuls

• There were two consuls who were administrators and military commanders.  

• They served one year terms so they did not become too powerful in government.

• They could VETO laws from other groups. The word veto is Latin for “I forbid”.

Multiple Choice

How many consuls were there?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

How long were their terms?

• 1 year

• 2 year

• 3 year

• 4 year

Multiple Choice

Could the consuls veto laws?

• Yes

• No

Roman Senate

• The Senate was a group of 300 men (originally). 

• They proposed laws, debated policy with other empires (Foreign Policy) and controlled Rome’s finances for projects that included roads, public buildings, etc.

Multiple Choice

How many men made up the Senate?

• 100

• 200

• 300

• 400

Multiple Select

What was the Senate responsible for?

• Proposed laws

• Foreign policy

• Controlled finances

• Vetoed laws

Assembly of Centuries

• Elected consuls and praetors

• They also would accept or reject laws from the Senate

• They served as courts and judges for all matters in Rome.

Multiple Choice

Did the Assembly elect consuls and praetors?

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

Who served as judges in Rome?

• Senate

• Assembly

• Consuls

But the Plebeians grew frustrated

• They had to serve in the army and pay taxes

• But had no power in government

494 B.C.E.

• Plebeians went on strike refusing to serve in the army

• Some even left Rome

• Patricians feared the republic was in danger of collapsing

The Council of Plebs

• Plebeians own body of representatives

• Elected officials called tribunes who voiced concerns to the government

• Tribunes could veto

• In 287 B.C.E. given the right to pass laws

Multiple Choice

Do you think women had any political power?

• Yes

• No

Civic Duty

• Created an office of dictator for when the Republic needed a strong leader

• After the crisis the dictator was expected to give up his power