Rome as a Republic (v2)

Rome as a

Republic

Patrician vs. Plebeians

Early Rome had two classes of people: the patricians, who
were wealthy landowners, and the plebeians, who were poor.

At first, plebeians did not
share equal rights with
patricians. Eventually, they
won the right to take part in
the Roman government.
Plebeians elected officials,
called tribunes, to represent
them in the government.

Multiple Choice

Which group was rich?

• Plebeians

• Patricians

Multiple Choice

Which group had more power?

• Plebeians

• Patricians

Multiple Choice

Which group had more people?

• Plebeian

• Patrician

Government Branches

The Roman Republic had three branches of government.
One branch, made up of the Senate and an assembly,
made laws. A second branch ran the daily affairs of
government and was led by two consuls, or heads of
government. The third branch served as judges, called
praetors.

Multiple Choice

How many branches did the Roman government have?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

Which branch made laws?

• Senate & Assembly

  (legislative)

• Consuls

  (executive)

• Praetors

  (judicial)

Multiple Choice

Which branch ruled on court cases?

• Senate & Assembly

  (legislative)

• Consuls

  (executive)

• Praetors

  (judicial)

Multiple Choice

Which branch ran the daily affairs of the government?

• Senate & Assembly

  (legislative)

• Consuls

  (executive)

• Praetors

  (judicial)

“Checks and balances”

A system of checks and balances prevented one branch from
getting too powerful. For example, one consul could veto, or
reject, a decision made by the other consul. Also the tribunes could veto any law they felt was unfair to plebeians.

I think we
should do this!

I veto!

Open Ended

The US adopted the Roman system of separation of powers and 3 branches of government. Why?

Jobs in Government

During a crisis, the Senate could appoint a temporary
dictator, or strong leader who was given complete control
of the government. That person was expected to step down
once the trouble had passed.

Rome’s legal system was based on the rule of law, which
meant that everyone was treated the same way under the
law. Roman citizens were also expected to fulfill their civic
duty, or help their country.

Multiple Choice

The "rule of law" means that the same law applies to people _________?

• differently

• based on their status

• equally

• who live within the city's limits.

Cincinnatus and Civic Duty

One of the most famous Roman dictators was Cincinnatus,
known for his loyalty to Rome. In 458 b.c., a powerful enemy
of Rome threatened to destroy the Roman army. The Senate
appointed Cincinnatus as dictator to handle this emergency.
Cincinnatus created an army, attacked the enemy, and just 16
days after becoming dictator, he defeated the enemy and
could return home.

Cincinnatus was widely admired because he fulfilled his civic
duty. Civic duty is the idea that citizens have a responsibility to
help their country. Because Cincinnatus helped Rome, he
fulfilled his civic duty.

Multiple Choice

True or False? A roman dictator was supposed to rule in a time of crisis and then step down when the crisis passed.

• True

• False

Open Ended

Why is Cincinnatus important (to be remembered)?

Multiple Choice

John F. Kennedy once famously said: "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." What government concept was he talking about?

• Monarchy

• Civic Duty

• Rule of Law

• Leadership

Roman Wars

Rome fought three wars with Carthage, Rome’s main rival for control
of the Mediterranean region. These wars were called the Punic Wars.
In 146 b.c., Rome defeated Carthage and made it a province, or
regional district, under Rome’s control.

In the 140s b.c., Rome conquered Greece and began to expand its
territory into Asia.

Multiple Choice

In the Punic Wars, Rome fought with _______ for control of the area.

• Carthage

• Greece

• Persia

• Sicily

Multiple Choice

When Rome ultimately defeated its rival, it spread its empire into __________.

• Australia

• Asia

• Afganistan

• Africa