The Roman Republic The Roman Republic After Tarquin
The Roman Republic
The Roman Republic • After Tarquin the Proud was expelled from Rome, the people formed a new government called a Republic • The Roman Republic lasted for almost 500 years, from 509 BC to 27 BC • Republic = Res Publica = “Public Matter” or “People’s Thing” • To the people of that time, a Republic was a Representative Government meaning you elected people to represent you… • In their mind, this was different from the Greek idea of Democracy.
Republican Government q The main idea was that no one should become too powerful q There should be separation of powers into different branches of government… q in order to have checks and balances q But that didn’t mean all people were equal !!
Consuls q Played the role of kings q They ran the government and army and were in charge of the auspices (augury) q But their power was limited in 3 ways 1. There were always two consuls 2. Each had veto power over the other 3. They held office for only one year q In times of crisis, a DICTATOR was appointed for a six month term q In early years, they were models of good leadership and civic virtue
Lucius Junius Brutus
Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus
Senate q Ex-consuls and other patrician (nobles) – represented only about 12 families q They held their positions for life q They proposed laws but couldn’t actually pass them q They were in charge of the treasury (money) and foreign policy (wars) q There were 300 Senators in total
Assembly q Made up of all citizens* – direct democracy q They approved or rejected laws, but couldn’t propose laws q They elected the Consuls… q But couldn’t be Consul unless they were Patricians (that changed later on) q In theory, the Assemblies had ultimate power; in practice, they were weak
Mixed Government Consuls (Monarchy) Senate (Oligarchy) Assemblies (Democracy)
Conflict of the Orders
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