Transcript The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic
Roman Society
• Romans forced their last king to leave in 509
BC and formed a republic.
• This meant that leaders would be elected or
appointed.
• At first only the very wealthy men in Rome –
the Patricians – had power or could make
decisions.
• This led to the ordinary people – the
Plebeians – being unhappy and after much
unrest a system was made to give both
groups some power.
Magistrates
• Groups of people called Magistrates were
elected to important positions.
• The Patricians voted for Quaestors who
helped run the government and made less
important decisions.
• The Plebeians voted for Tribunes who did not
make decisions but could stop any decision
by saying “veto” – I forbid!
• Four Magistrates were elected as Aediles
who were in charge of supervising public
places and food supply. By law two of these
had to be Plebeians.
Consuls
• There were also many other important
Magistrates who were in charge of taxes or
served as judges.
• Although all free citizens could vote for
magistrates the more important positions
were voted for by a system that gave more
influence to richer voters – the Patricians.
• The two highest ranking magistrates were
the Consuls. They were elected to govern
Rome making most of the important
decisions.
• Consuls were usually elected for one year like
all the magistrates.
The Senate
• The most important group of people in Roman
society were the 600 men in the Senate who
were called Senators.
• It was made up of men who had served as
magistrates and could then became
members of the Senate for life.
• They discussed and debated issues.
• They made the laws.
• They appointed leaders for the army.
The meetings were
run by the most
senior magistrate
available, usually
one of the consuls.
Senators wore
a coloured
sash to show
their rank.
The Senate
Higher ranking
senators –
usually
Patricians – sat
nearer to the
front and were
allowed to
speak first.
There was no time
limit on speeches!
Dictators
• If it was felt that Rome was in great danger
then one of the consuls could be made a
Dictator for six months.
• This meant that one person could make all
important decisions and control Rome.
• This power was limited to six months
because the Romans feared anyone becoming
too powerful and making themselves a king!