The Roman Republic

1. The Roman Republic

2. Rome’s Government • Main Idea: • Rome’s Republic was shaped by a struggle between wealthy landowners and regular citizens as it gradually expanded the right to vote for leaders.

3. Dans quelle mesure il est juste de dire que la Rome était une démocratie ?

4. Rome’s Government • Do you know where the word Republiccomes from? • Its made up of two Latin words meaning “Thing of the People”…now lets see how the Romans created their Republic.

5. La monarchie étrusque • Les étrusques ont pris contrôle des Romains • Le dernier roi étrusque était Tarquin le Fier= il a perdu le pouvoir en 509 av. JC à cause que le peuple était fatigué de son règne de terreur • Les Romains ne voulaient plus être dominés par des rois, menant à la fondation de la république démocratique • L’influence étrusque: alphabet, arches, numeraux, sports sanglants, politiques, etc.

6. Classes sociales : • Patriciens – les riches, les aristocrates • Plèbe – fonctionnaires, les pauvres, les gens ordinaires • Patron - Client-relation • Femmes : femmes étaient nées des citoyennes, mais elles ne pouvaient pas voter ni participer dans les fonctions politiques -divorce était légal -sous le contrôle de son père / mari elles pouvaient posséder des biens -l’obligation principale fut d’ être une mère et une femme

7. Rome’s Government • Early Romans were divided into two classes: • Patricians (Pa-Tri-Cian) and Plebeians ( Ple-Be-ians).

8. Rome’s Government • Patricians were wealthy landowners. • These nobles made up most of Rome’s ruling class or people that were in charge of the country.

9. Rome’s Government • Most of Rome’s people, however, were called Plebeians. • This group of people included artisans, shopkeepers and owners of small farms…everyday average people.

10. Rome’s Government • Marriage between members of the two social classes were forbidden. • Plebeians also lacked an important political right…they could not hold public office…they could not be involved in politics…do you think this matters?

11. How did Rome’s government work? • Rome had a Tripartite (Tri-Part-itr), which is basically a three part government… • One group of people ran the government, another group made the laws and a third group acted as judges.

12. How did Rome’s government work? • It had checks and balances so that one group could not become too strong…sounds familiar right.

13. How did Rome’s government work? • In the Roman Republic, the top government officials were the consuls…they headed the Army and ran the Government • Consul – One of the two top government officials in Rome.

14. How did Rome’s government work? • Consuls served very short terms in office, that way there was little risk that they would abuse their powers. • The Consuls also kept each other in line because they could Veto or reject each others decisions.

15. To Remember • First King was Romulus = based on ancient myth (raised at Palatine aka Seven Hills of Rome and future residence of emperors)-high magistrates of Roman Republic used purple robes and ivory thrones of Etruscan kings (lucumones) -symbol of authority over life and death called fasces (axe bound into a bundle of wooden rods; when magistrates were present, it was carried by an escort of officials known as lictors • -Tarquin the Proud= expelled by a popular rebellion in 509 BCE • -rebellion had been sparked bc the king’s son Sextus raped a virtuous aristocratic woman named Lucretia, who consequently committed suicide.-

16. « Si nous fixons notre attention sur le pouvoir des consuls, le gouvernement apparaît tout à fait monarchique…Si nous considérons le pouvoir du Sénat, il paraît être aristocratique, et enfin si l’on observe le pouvoir du peuple, il semble être nettement une démocratie » Polybe. 

17. Rome…une République C’était les fils des riches familles romaines qui ont échoué Tarquin. Ces hommes sont connus comme les Patriciens. L’objectif des ces Patriciens: • De diviser et équilibrer le pouvoir entre les citoyens de Rome. • Sous la République, les citoyens sont responsables à élire les représentants à gouverner…mais c’était, au début, seulement les patriciens qui pouvaient s’asseoir dans une position d’authorités dans le gouvernement (la République).

18. Ligne du temps de Rome Rome founded in 753 BCE-first ruled by kings -Became a republic in 509 BCE -by 275 BCE Rome controlled the entire Italian Penninsulasula

20. Rome…Une république Sous la république, c’était une lutte constante entre ces patriciens, qui ont eu tout le pouvoir, et les plébéiens (les artisans, les marchands) qui ont été dominés par les patriciens. Les plébéiens ont reçu, en ~493, le droit d’un voix dans le gouvernement: Les 10 Tribuns. Ces 10 plébéiens choisi parmi les plébéiens ont protégé les droits des plébéiens et ont eu le droit de veto des lois (ils pouvaient arrêter un nouveau loi qui ne profiterait pas les plébéiens)

21. Forum romain Le Forum romain était le centre politique et économique de Rome pendant la République. Est devenu le coeur de Rome où les gens parlaient, commercaient et gouvernaient.

22. To Remember • The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) was the political and economical centre of Rome during the Republic. • It emerged as such in the 7th century BCE and maintained this position well into the Imperial period, when it was reduced to a monumental area. It was mostly abandoned at the end of the 4th century. • The Forum Romanum is located in a valley between the Capitoline Hill on the west, the Palatine Hill on the south, the Velia on the east and Quirinal Hill and the Esquiline Hill to the north. The Velia was leveled in Antiquity.

23. République romaine (509 av. JC) • Dans une république, les citoyens élisent leur chef pour mener le gouvernement • Résultat du mécontentement de la monarchie tyrannique des Étrusques • Une combinaison d’aristocracie, d’oligarchie and de démocracie

24. Interesting • When the last Etruscan king was thrown out of Rome in 509 B.C., Roman leaders decided to begin a very new form of government - a republic.  • In a republic, citizens elect leaders to run their government.  In Rome, the leaders chosen to replace the king were called consuls.  These consuls were elected by a group of ordinary citizens known as an assembly, and the consuls were given advice by a group of rich people known as the Senate. 

25. Interesting • Although the citizens elected their own representatives, the Roman Republic was not a democracy because not every citizen had equal power. Citizens were divided into two classes, patricians and plebeians.A Roman was born into their class. • As citizens, both patricians and plebeians had the right to vote.  However, only patricians had the right to hold any political, military or religious offices.  All power was in the hands of the patricians. • Senate: latin for ‘old men’. • Early kings took advice from Senate (latin for ‘old men’ or council of elders

26. Patriciens Aristocratie qui est propriétaire de terres Du latin ‘patres’ qui veut dire père Plébiens Peuple Pauvre sans terres Du mot latin ‘plèbes’ qui veut dire peuple commun/ plusieurs Sénat et le peuple de Romwe L’histoire interne de la République en est une de tension constante entre les particiens et les plébiens.

27. Rome’s republic was shaped by a struggle between wealthy nobles and regular citizens. VS Patricians Plebeians

28. Plebeians • Majority of the population • Artisans, shopkeepers, small farm owners • Citizens (male)– could vote, pay taxes, serve in army • Could not marry a Patrician • Could not serve in government • Patricians • Wealthy land owners • Nobles that made up the ruling class • Citizens (male)– could vote, had to pay taxes and serve in the army • Could not marry a Plebian • Could serve in government

29. Power in the Roman Republic Patricians Plebeians Slaves

30. How the Roman Republic works

31. Dictator How the Republic Works Division of Power 1 person . 2 men Consuls 300 members Senate Rest of population Assembly

32. Consuls • Top government official • Two chosen every year • Headed the army and ran the government • Served short term….avoided risk of abusing power • Veto • The right of the consul to reject the other’s decision. Latin for “I forbid”

33. Senate Latin for “old men” 300 men Chosen for life Advise Consul Deal with other countries Proposes laws Approve public works Deal with daily government problems

34. Rôles dans la république • Magistrats: les deux magistrats les plus puissants étaient les consuls; les deux avaient le droit de véto (Latin pour “je l’interdis”) sur l’autre dans les décisions importantes (élus par les patriciens) • Assemblées :quatre assemblées (organisées par la richesse) de citoyens mâles élus comme magistrats annuellement pour voter et appliquer les lois • Sénat: conseil d’hommes qui ont controlé Rome (budget et affaires étrangères) ; controllaient la majorité des terres et étaient nommés pour la vie • Tribunes: Seulement les mâles qui n’étaient pas dans le sénat pouvaient participer; 2 tribunes élues et avaient le droit de véto sur les décisions des consuls; a éventuellement augmenté à 10 tribunes

35. Clarifications • Consuls= two elected rulers (they were elected by the patricians for a one year term; with each consul ruling for a month at a time at home; at war they commanded the army on alternative days • -

36. Clarifications • consuls appointed assistants (qoaestors) and they were later elected by the patricians. They looked after finances of RR-early on, patricians held almost all the power in Rome as they could only vote for consuls and their assembly (Senate) could decide on laws. The Senate also advised the consuls. • -plebeians were not pleased and demanded they were represented; eventually got a council of their own (concilium plebs)

37. L’organisation politique de la République romaine

38. Le Sénat 10 tribuns de la plèbe Les magistrats Recrutent 2 censeurs Élisent tous les 5 ans Élisent tous les ans Les comices: assemblées de citoyens Votent les lois, élisent les magistrats forment Les citoyens: hommes libres de Rome (et du Latium) Les non citoyens: femmes, enfants, esclaves, étrangers

39. La république romaine s'organise autour de 3 groupes: nomment 2 censeurs Le Sénat Anciens magistrats contrôle 2 consuls: - dirigent l'armée - dirigent la cité au nom du peuple proposent La loi Les prêteurs rendent la justice Carrière des honneurs votent Les édiles s'occupent de la police et de la voirie Les questeurs s'occupent des finances élisent Les magistrats (élus pour 1 an) Les comices sont des assemblées des citoyens.

40. 2 censeurs: anciens consuls Fonction: dénombrent les citoyens Sénat: 300 anciens magistrats nommés à vie Fonction: dirige la politique étrangère, surveille le trésor public et la religion 2 Consuls: âge minimum 37 ans Fonctions: dirigent l’armée et la cité 8 Préteurs: âge minimum 34 ans Fonction : justice 2 Ediles de la plèbe 2 Édiles: âge minimum 31 ans Fonctions: police, ravitaillement, voierie 20 Questeurs: âge minimum 28 ans Fonctions: impôts et finances 10 tribuns de la plèbe Fonctions: peuvent s’opposer au décisions des magistrats Plébéiens Patriciens: le Cursus Honorum

41. How did Rome’s government work? • Rome had other important officials called Praetors. • Praetors – Main job was to interpret the law and act as judges in court.

42. How did Rome’s government work? • Various other officials preformed specialized duties such as keeping tax records, handling public finances, supervising public festivals and so forth.

43. How did Rome’s government work? • Rome’s most important legislative (Law making body) was known as the Senate. • This was a select group of 300 patrician men who served in the Roman Government for their entire life's.

44. How did Rome’s government work? • In the beginning, the Senate only gave advice to the Consuls…however over time, the power of the Senate grew. • By the 200 B.C.E., the Senate could propose laws, hold debates and approve building programs.

45. How did Rome’s government work? • The Curia Julia in the Roman Forum, the seat of the imperial Senate.

46. How did Rome’s government work? • Another important law making body was the Assembly of Centuries. • The Assembly of Centuries elected Consuls, Praetors and passed laws…it was under control of the wealthy Patricians…

47. Plebeians against Patricians • As you might expect, Plebeians complained about having so little power in the Roman Republic. • After all, they fought along side the rich Patricians in the army and their tax payments helped the Republic thrive.

48. Plebeians against Patricians • Eventually, the Plebeians took action to bring about change…in 494 B.C.E. many Plebeians went on strike. • They refused to serve in the army and left the city to set up their own Republic…these moves frightened the Patricians into agreeing to share more power equally.

49. Plebeians against Patricians • In 471 B.C.E. the Plebeians were allowed to set up their own body of representatives called the Council of Plebs. • This assembly elected Tribunes who brought Plebeian concerns to the government attention.

50. Plebeians against Patricians • The Tribunes also won the right to veto government decisions that were harmful to their people. • In 455 B.C.E. Plebeians and Patricians were allowed to marry and in 300 B.C.E. Plebeians were allowed to become Consuls.