STUDY GUIDE
GRADE 10
ENGLISH SOCIAL STUDIES
Chapter 12: The Roman Republic
Section One:
Forum: An open area in a city filled with public buildings, temples, and markets.
Republic: A government in which citizens have the right to vote and
elect officials.
Legion: The basic unit of the Roman army that consisted of 4,500 to
5,000 heavily armed soldiers.
Maniple: A unit of between 60 and 160 soldiers.
Know the
difference
between
Legion and
Greek
Phalyx.
Rome’s Earliest Days:

Legend of how Rome was founded: Twins born to a Latin princess, and
their father Mars, the god of war. Out of jealousy, the king threw the
babies in a basket down the Tiber river. Romulus and Remus were said to
have been saved by a she-wolf and raised by a shepherd. Upon growing,
they found a new city and argued about who would rule it. Romulus killed
his brother Remus and gave the city the name “ROME”.

First settlement in Rome was around 800 B.C. and they built villages on
the tops of seven hills overlooking the Tiber River.
o They drained a swampy area between the two hills and created the
forum.

It was the center of Rome’s government, religion and
economy.


The forum was always at the center of every city in Rome.
Factors that helped Rome grow and prosper:
o The city’s hills gave the Romans a natural defense against attack.
o Rome’s location gave access to a nearby port from the Tiber river.
o The river was shallow but small boats could pass from the city out
to sea but larger boats were at high risk therefore seagoing ships
could never attack Rome.

From Monarchy to Republic:
o Rome began as an independent city-state.
o 1st government was a monarchy.
o Kings: served as head of the army, chief priest, and supreme judge.

Helped the city grow and built the first buildings in the
Forum and led Romans into war against small neighboring
villages.

Ruled with consent of wealthy aristocrats.

The senate advised the king.

7th king of Rome, King Tarquin the Proud, mistreated his
people which led to the overthrow of the king in 509 B.C.
and they formed a REPUBLIC.
Section Two: The Government of the Republic
Constitution: A system of rules by which a government is organized.
Veto: to stop or cancel the action of a government body or official.
Magistrate: elected officials who enforce the law.
Toga: a garment that adult men wore wrapped around their bodies. (Only
citizens could wear togas)
Consul: top officials in the Roman Republic.
Principles of Roman Government:

It was difficult to determine whether the government system of the
Roman Republic was aristocratic, democratic, or monarchial. (As it was a
discreet mixture of all three)

Strong leaders, wealthy aristocrats & average citizens all had a role in the
government.

A constitution was structured and based on tradition and custom.

Main idea of the new form of government was the separation and division
of power. (Making sure not one person can be too powerful)

The Romans elected TWO top leaders (consuls) to head the government,
each could veto the other. This also somewhat followed the system of the
oligarchy where they had two kings.
o Consuls could only stay in office for one year.

Power was divided among three BRANCHES: (Tripartite Government)
o Magistrates
o Senate
o Assemblies
The Roles of the Romans in the Roman Republic:
The People that make up the Roman Population:
Division of the Particians and Plebeians in the Roman Republics:
Members of the Government bodies in ROME:
OVERVIEW:

Assembly:
o Democratic part of Roman government where all adult male
citizens could participate in assemblies.
o Roman citizens elected officials and passed laws.
o Direct democracy.
o The power of the assemblies was checked by the powers of the
senate and of elected officials.

Senate:
o Worked like an oligarchy
o Made up of the wealthiest and best-known older Roman men,
often former magistrates.
o Chosen by officials called the censor.
o Did not represent the people.
o They guided the state. (Advising the assemblies and the
magistrates)
o Ran foreign policy and decided how to spend the state’s money.
o Most powerful part of the Roman government.

Magistrates:
o Power of these high officials made them almost like monarchs.
o Composed of wealthy men
o Politicians moved from lower offices to higher offices.

Race of Honors:

Started with the lowest office, QUAESTORS: accountants
who kept track of the state’s money.

Served as assistants to higher officials. If does well,
can be promoted to AEDILES
o which were in charge of holding festivals and
maintaining public buildings.

Plebeians could run for the powerful office of
TRIBUNE of the plebs before moving on to higher
offices. (Had rights to veto any law, or action of a
magistrate).

After serving as an AEDILE or TRIBUNE, you could
be elected to become a PRAETOR.
o They judge cases, managed the city of Rome
and led armies in times of war.

After serving as a praetor, a politician could be
elected as a CONSUL.
o These were the top officials in the Roman
republic. They led the army and controlled
the senate and assemblies as the highest
judge.

DICTATOR: the senate could vote to name a dictator
in times of great emergency where they held
complete power for a limited time.
o (Maximum of 6 months)
Section 3: Roman Society:
Patriarchal Society: Men ruled their families, and that people traced their origins
through male ancestors.
Paterfamilias: The oldest man in a Roman family.
Villa: Large country homes.
Established Religion: An official religion supported by the government.
Who were the Romans’ Gods and Goddesses in comparison to the Greeks’?
END OF CONTENT, CANCEL SECTION 4 – This will be included in the
Semester 1 Exam, not Quarter 1.