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...and to the republic
RomanGovernment
Out with the King!
In 509 B.C. Romans threw out last Etruscan king. Vowed never
again to be ruled by kings
If you just threw out a king, what
would you be afraid of in a government?
Romans were worried about 1 man being in
power
Formed their government with checks on power
2 types of Roman citizensPatricians (Aristocrats)- wealthy landowners
Plebians (commoners)- merchants,
artisans, farmers
• At first, all elected officials had to be Patricians. Slowly, Plebians gained more power, though.
Date Event Effect
494 BC
Plebians withdraw from city.
Tribunes elected
Tribunes can veto laws of
Senate if affect Plebians
450 BC
Law of 12 TablesLaw same for
both Patricians & Plebians
367 BC
1st Plebian elected Consul
Patrician hold on high offices
broken
“Conflict of the Orders”
3 branches of government
AssembliesOfficials Senate
(...little bit of Monarchy...)
(...little bit of Oligarchy...)
(...little bit of Democracy...)
Created
+ +
...mix them together & it’s called...-- a ‘Republic’
• Three branches were a check on each other’s power so no group would grow too powerful
What makes a ‘Republic?’
Voters in a republic elect
officials to make most of their
decisions for them
Is the United States more of a democracy or a republic?
What is a Consul’s job?
• Command army• Propose laws
What is a the sourceof a Consul’spower?
• Held imperium (right to command troops)
What are thelimits on aConsul’s power?
• 1 year terms of office• Each Consul could veto other
Balance of power2 Consulshighest officials
What is the Senate’s job?
• Set Rome’s budget • Foreign relations• Pass laws
What is the source of Senate’s power?
• Richest men in Rome• Term was for life
What are thelimits on Senate’s power?
• New senators appointed by Consuls• No control over army
Balance of powerRoman Senate
(300 members)
What is the Assembly’s job?
• Elected leaders• Passed laws
What is source ofAssembly’s power?
• Provided most of soldiers
What are thelimits on Asembly’s power?
• Could not propose laws• Often ‘clients’ of rich
Balance of powerRoman
Assembly(35 tribes)
Other Roman elected officials:PRAETOR = GovernorQUAESTOR = Financial officersAEDILE = Religious or city duties
TRIBUNE = Could ‘veto’ laws or actions if they negatively affected Plebians
Dictator
Appointed in times of emergency
• 6 month term of office (appointed by consuls)• Had powers of a king (in charge of military, could decree laws)• Decisons not subject to ‘veto’
comparing elections: Leaders
Greek democracy vs. Roman republic
Most Greek officials chosen randomly by lot
Roman officials voted on by Assembly
“Caesar!”
“Pompey!”
comparing elections: LawsGreek democracy vs. Roman republic
1. Council of 500proposed the laws2. Assembly discussed the laws3. Assembly voted on the laws
1. Consulsproposed the laws2. Senatediscussed the laws3. Senate/Assembly voted on the laws
“Direct democracy”“Representative
democracy”