RomeChapter 1 section 3

September 9, 2010

Patricians Wealthy upper class

may hold public office

Plebeians Craftsmen, Merchants

may merely vote

Slaves: no rights

Social Order

Vote only

Participate

CitizensCitizensPlebeiansPlebeians

RepresentativesRepresentativesPatriciansPatricians

ConsulConsul

Roman Greek

Government

The Republic: Ruled by elected representatives, patricians only

Vote: slaves and women were not allowed to vote

Structure• Senate – elected officials

• 2 consuls ran the government and army

• 2 praetors dealt with law and justice

Roman Law – Justice for all

Twelve Tables - laws only for Romans

Law of Nations (Republic)New territories with different cultures required new codes based on Natural Law (universal law based on reason)

Examples of Roman Law

An accused person was presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.

The accused was permitted to face the accuser and offer a defense.

Guilt had to be established through evidence.

Judges were expected to interpret the laws and make fair decisions.

The Roman EmpireExpansion: Rome controlled all of the Mediterranean by 0AD

Needed strict control for the harmony of the state Pax Romana 14 – 180 AD

End of Republic

Senator Julius Caesar forces Roman senate to make him dictator.

Caesar is murdered by his friend, Brutus.

Eventually, Senate crowns Julius Augustus King (14 AD)

Roman Republic becomes Roman Empire – Tyrants rule like Nero and Caligula

Empire falls in 476 AD.

Europe enters the Dark Ages

Spread of Christianity 325-600 AD

Consequences

Christian Church organized in similar manner to Roman Empire – Pope, Cardinals, etc.

Emphasis on virtue & duty to one’s community/state

Importance of law and ethics to ensure a stable society.

Value of the individual. (Humanism)

Quiz