The Republic of Rome Tarquin the Proud Tarquin

The Republic of Rome • Tarquin the Proud (Tarquin I) was removed as King in 509 BCE after the people got fed up with the ‘tyrannical’ and domineering attitudes of the Etruscan kings • A republic (res public = public matter) was established • A republic is a state in which the supreme power is held by the people through their elected representatives and or president (no monarch)

• 509 -27 BCE – The Roman Republic • Rome faced external pressure from the Greeks, Etruscans and Carthaginians and was victorious against them, expanding her power and influence constantly as a citystate • Still a power struggle between the land-owning aristocracy (Patricians) and the landless poor (Plebians) • A system of government was established to curb and check the power and abuse of power yet still left a clear division between the rich and the poor

Conflicts for the Republic 1. Invading Gauls from the north of the Alps were finally defeated after they initially destroyed Rome 2. A struggle for sea power became greater as the interest in trade grew 3. War with the Carthaginians in competition for naval superiority • Phoenician origins, around Lebanon, Latin word – Punic • The Punic Wars (264 -146) were a series of 3 bloody battles, showed Rome's great military prowess and lead to the eventual obliteration of Carthage 4. The expansion of the Roman dominion into the eastern Mediterranean (146 BCE – Corinth was the last independent city state to be taken by Rome)

Roman Republican Government

The Senate, Consuls The Senate A group of the largest landowners in Rome; a very powerful group Consuls • Two men elected from the Senate annually by the members of the Comitia Centuriata • Chief magistrates of the Roman state • Could veto each other, so had to work together in order to get anything done

Praetors • elected annually by the Comitia Centuriata • (second most powerful elected position after Consuls) • Originally one (a patrician) who was responsible for justice in Rome • Another one was added to focus on relations between Roman citizens and non-Romans • Gradually increased in numbers as Rome took over more land • Eventually became so numerous that the position was no longer prestigious or powerful

Censors • Two elected annually from the Comitia Centuriata for 5 year terms • As their name suggests, they were census keepers

Curulian Aediles • Elected by the Comitia Tributa to assist the Consuls • Responsible for public services like water supply, road maintenance and public executions • Increased in numbers from two to several in order to look after the above responsibilities

Quaestors • • Elected annually by the Comitia Tributa In charge of administering all financial matters (accountants or bean counters) At first, only two were elected, but increased in number as Rome expanded

The Committees (Comitia) Comitia Curiata • Assembly of citizens from 3 Roman classes (Ramnes, Luceres and Tities); confirmed a magistrates right to exercise the authority already granted to him- aka- they had no real power Comitia Tributa • All enfranchised people (those who could vote) who belonged to the tribes; they could pass laws on behalf of the people Comitia Centuriata • An assembly of male citizens divided into 5 electoral classes according to wealth; passed laws & elected Praetors & Censors Concilium Plebis • Tribal assembly with no aristocrats (no wealthy landowners); passed laws early on but became more powerful when it gained the power to veto the consuls decisions • Became a powerful body to represent the people