The Rise of the Roman Republic

1
The Rise of the Roman Republic

• Patricians versus Plebians

2
Republic

• A republic is a form of government in which
  leaders are elected
• Under the Etruscans, Rome was a monarchy
• What year did Rome become a Republic?

3
S.P.Q.R.

• Motto of Rome
• Means Senatus Populusque Romanus or the Senate
  and People of Rome
• SPQR was put on everything owned by the
  government coins, monuments, battle flags,
  documents
• Meant to symbolize that all things were made up
  of the government and the people

4
Patricians

• Small group
• Wealthy land owners
• From patres father Fathers of the state
• Ruling class, made all decisions
• Controlled land and military and religious offices

5
Plebians

• 95 of Romes population
• Artisans
• Shopkeepers
• Farmers
• From plebs many
• Little say in government, forced into military

6
Early Republic

• Republic rule of the people
• Early republic, people patricians
• Senate 300 men chosen by patricians, served for
  life
• Senate appointed other government officials and
  praetors
• Praetors Roman judges, interpreted the law

7
Consuls

• 2 patricians chosen by Senate
• Advised by Senate
• Commanded the army
• Ran day-to-day affairs of Rome
• What features are democratic? What features are
  not?
• What problems do you see? Who would be upset?

8
Seeds of Rebellion

• Only patricians able to be senators and consuls
• Plebians not much say
• No laws written down, patricians could make
  changes whenever desired
• Plebians angered

9
Conflict of the Orders

• Conflict of the Orders began (Conflict of the
  Classes) Plebian fight for rights
• Plebians angered over lack of rights and forcing
  into army
• Rome population 25,000 40,000, mostly Plebians
• 494 B.C.E. Plebians staged revolt by walking out
  of city

10
Result for Plebians

• Council of Plebians created Able to bring
  Plebian concerns to the government and eventually
  able to pass laws for Rome
• Veto (I forbid) Plebian right to strike
  Patrician law
• 1 of 2 Consuls had to be Plebian
• Twelve Tables Laws written down (why is this
  important?)

11
12 Tables

• Laws of Rome, organized into 12 sections
• Engraved on tablets of metal and placed in the
  Forum for all to read
• Does not matter what they said, what matters is
  that they were written down and that they were an
  attempt at equality for all citizens
• Citizens Adult free males

12
The Role of Dictator

• Dictator Appointed by the Senate in times of
  danger
• Temporary appointment
• Famous example Cincinnatus (460 B.C.)
• Ruled and defeated enemy in 15-16 days, retired
  back to farm