the roman republic
509 BC
The Hierarchy of Ancient Rome
Patricians and Plebeians in Ancient Rome
Roman citizens were divided into two classes, Patricians and Plebeians.
Patricians were the wealthy and powerful citizens and nobles of Ancient Rome. They were the lawmakers and government leaders. Patricians were rich landowners.
Plebeians made up the majority of the Roman people but were the lower class. They were common people who were the workers. Plebeians were craftsmen and traders.
Roman citizens were divided into two classes, Patricians and Plebeians.
Patricians were the wealthy and powerful citizens and nobles of Ancient Rome. They were the lawmakers and government leaders. Patricians were rich landowners.
Plebeians made up the majority of the Roman people but were the lower class. They were common people who were the workers. Plebeians were craftsmen and traders.
The Twelve Tables of Ancient Rome
The twelve tables were created by the Romans to document their laws to protect the Plebeians and the Patricians. Before the laws were written down, the laws were only known by the Patricians and benefited the Patricians. Plebeians could break the laws without even knowing what they were. Patricians could change the laws to benefit themselves. Once the laws were written down, they couldn't be changed to benefit the Patricians and the Plebeians knew what they were. By writing down the laws, they were fair to everyone.
The twelve tables were created by the Romans to document their laws to protect the Plebeians and the Patricians. Before the laws were written down, the laws were only known by the Patricians and benefited the Patricians. Plebeians could break the laws without even knowing what they were. Patricians could change the laws to benefit themselves. Once the laws were written down, they couldn't be changed to benefit the Patricians and the Plebeians knew what they were. By writing down the laws, they were fair to everyone.
Ancient Rome Monarchy vs. Repubic
Checks and Balances of Ancient Rome
In the beginning, Ancient Rome was ruled by monarchies who abused their power and treated their people badly. The Romans got tired of this and eventually overthrew the monarchies and formed a new government called a Republic. The republic divided the different powers into sections so that one section would not have any more power than another. Each section only had some control and the other sections had a say.
Ancient Romans were afraid that politicians would get too powerful if not controlled so they created checks and balances in their government to keep that from happening. They enforced term limits for people with high authority like limiting consuls to only hold office for a year. This gave other leaders a chance to hold office. They could also veto each other. They also kept balance by letting government officials to restrict the powers of other officials. Laws were proposed by Senate members but had to be approved by Magistrates and then by the assemblies. No one group had the power to make all the decisions.
Checks and Balances of Ancient Rome
In the beginning, Ancient Rome was ruled by monarchies who abused their power and treated their people badly. The Romans got tired of this and eventually overthrew the monarchies and formed a new government called a Republic. The republic divided the different powers into sections so that one section would not have any more power than another. Each section only had some control and the other sections had a say.
Ancient Romans were afraid that politicians would get too powerful if not controlled so they created checks and balances in their government to keep that from happening. They enforced term limits for people with high authority like limiting consuls to only hold office for a year. This gave other leaders a chance to hold office. They could also veto each other. They also kept balance by letting government officials to restrict the powers of other officials. Laws were proposed by Senate members but had to be approved by Magistrates and then by the assemblies. No one group had the power to make all the decisions.
The Roman Republic vs. The United States Government
The Roman Republic was formed by using different groups to control the government. The United States government is formed in a similar way. Both have Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government.
Both the Roman and the United States governments have an elected leader in the Executive branch who is the commander and chief of the army. The elected leader in Rome was called a consul and two were elected. The consuls could only serve for one year and couldn't be elected again until ten years later. In the United States we elect a President and Vice President for four-year terms and they can be re-elected for four more years after that.
The Legislative branch in both governments make the laws. The Romans had the Senate and the Assembly. The United States has the Senate and the House of Representatives. Representatives for both governments were elected by their citizens.
The Judicial branch of both governments are made up of judges who oversee the courts. Judges in Rome could only serve for one year, but in the United States, Supreme Court judges can serve as long as they want to or until they retire.
In Ancient Rome their laws were documented on the twelve tables. In the United States we have the Constitution. In Ancient Rome citizenship was given to adult male landowners but in the United States men and women are equal citizens.
The Roman Republic was formed by using different groups to control the government. The United States government is formed in a similar way. Both have Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government.
Both the Roman and the United States governments have an elected leader in the Executive branch who is the commander and chief of the army. The elected leader in Rome was called a consul and two were elected. The consuls could only serve for one year and couldn't be elected again until ten years later. In the United States we elect a President and Vice President for four-year terms and they can be re-elected for four more years after that.
The Legislative branch in both governments make the laws. The Romans had the Senate and the Assembly. The United States has the Senate and the House of Representatives. Representatives for both governments were elected by their citizens.
The Judicial branch of both governments are made up of judges who oversee the courts. Judges in Rome could only serve for one year, but in the United States, Supreme Court judges can serve as long as they want to or until they retire.
In Ancient Rome their laws were documented on the twelve tables. In the United States we have the Constitution. In Ancient Rome citizenship was given to adult male landowners but in the United States men and women are equal citizens.