The Romans Create a Republic
1.
Etruscan kings ruled and expanded
Rome- agriculture, temples
2.
Last king of Rome was a tyrant –
Tarquin the Proud who was
overthrown by aristocrats
1.
3. Established a Republic –
definition: form of government in
which power rests with citizens who
vote for their leaders (freeborn
males only in Rome)
List
similarities between Rome
and Greece about how their
government evolved to reach
democracy/republic
1. Patricians – aristocratic
landowners who controlled
most of the power
Inherited
power and social
status, allowed to make laws
2. Plebians- common farmers,
artisans, merchants who made
up a majority of the population
 citizens
with the right to vote,
but could not hold government
position
Tribunes
– elected
representatives for Plebeians
that served in the Senate
3. Foreigners- could be citizens
4. Slaves- no power, NOT based on
race –prisoners of war
1.
Consuls - two officials who
commanded army and directed
government
- limited power: term length –
one year, power to veto each
other
2.
Senate - aristocratic branch
of government, 300 men from
the upper class
- term length – life membership,
which provided continuity and
stability
-powers – influence over foreign
affairs and domestic policy
3.
Assemblies – more democratic side
of the government, two types
- Centuriate Assembly – all citizensoldiers for life
- powers – 1. Selected consuls
2. made laws
- Tribal Assembly – made up of
plebeians
- powers – 1. Elected Tribunes
2. made laws for commoners
4.
Dictator – served only in times
of crisis for six months
- chosen by consuls and elected by
the Senate
- powers – hard absolute power to
make laws and command the
army
- EX: Cincinnatus
1.
right to vote
2. Pay taxes
3. Serve in the military
First
written code of Rome,
serves as basis of Roman law –
Twelve Tables
 “Innocent
until proven guilty”