Roman Republic: Their Government

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Roman Republic Their Government

• The Great-Great Granddaddy of U.S. Government!!

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When you complete this lesson. . .

• You should be able to correctly identify the
  following terms
• Republic
• Patrician
• Plebeian
• Consul

• Tribune
• Senate
• Veto
• Assemblies
• Judges
• Twelve Tables

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And. . .

• You should be able to explain how government of
  the Roman Republic was organized.

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Pattern for the United States

• When our founding fathers created the
  government of the U.S., they used ideas that
  started long ago in Ancient Rome!
• Lets see what those ideas were.

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Background Information

• Rome had been under the rule of Etruscan kings
  for many years.
• In 508 B.C., the Romans overthrew the Etruscans
  (i.e., tossed them out on their ears) and set up
  a Republic
• Roman society consisted of three main groups
  patricians, plebeians, and slaves.

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Roman Senate

• Most basic part of the government of Roman
  Republic.
• Made up of patricians who served as senators for
  life
• Proposed laws which were then voted on by citizen
  assemblies
• Advised the consuls (who became senators when
  their terms as consul were over, so they tried to
  work with the Senate as much as possible.)

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Two Consuls (served at one time)

• Elected by assemblies of citizens (at first only
  by patricians).
• Only men from wealthy families could become
  consul
• Each consul could veto (say NO to) the actions
  of other consul.
• One year term of office

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Citizen Assemblies

• Some assemblies made up of patricians who elected
  the senators
• Other assemblies made up of wealthy plebeians.
  Their leaders were the TRIBUNES.
• Some tribunes eventually became powerful enough
  to be elected consulmaking them senators for
  life.

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Judges

• Decided legal cases
• Roman citizens were given the right to a trial
  before being convicted of crimes
• Roman laws were written on the Twelve Tables and
  hung in the Roman Forum (place where government
  buildings were located) so people could read them
• Laws applied to patricians and plebeians

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Democratic changes

• At first, only patricians could take part in the
  government of the Roman Republic
• As time went on, however, some plebeians became
  wealthy and powerful enough to be elected to high
  offices, and the republic became more democratic
  (based on the will of all the people)

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Activity (5 minutes on the timer)

• List two ways that the United States government
  is like the government of the Roman Republic.
• List two ways that the United States government
  is different from the government of the Roman
  Republic

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Give One-Get One (7 minutes)

• Share your answers with a classmate.
• Write down any answer they have that you dont.
• If you have the same two answers, brainstorm a
  third answer.
• After you have consulted two classmates, or when
  the timer rings, have a seat.

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Whole class discussion

• Like the US government

• Different from US gov.

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Open Response Question

• Compare the government of the Roman Republic and
  the United States of America. Remember to use
  specific examples and vocabulary terms from this
  lesson.