The Roman Republic
509-27 BCE
What is the first thing
that comes to mind
when you hear Roman
Republic?
What do you think after
the video?
Brief History
• 509 BC – 27 BC
• Started with the overthrowing of
Lucius Tarquinius
• Rome expanded
• Became a major power
• Ended with when Augustus
(Octavian) Caesar became a
permanent imperial dictator
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Tarquin
• Lucius Tarquinius
Superbus
• King from 534-509 BC
• Many were put to death
• Group of senators raised a
revolt
• The Tarquin family was
expelled from Rome
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Augustus Caesar
• Original name was Gaius
Octavius
• Great uncle was Julius Caesar
• First roman emperor following
the republic
• Restored peace
• Created a sound currency
system
• Extended highways
• Etc.
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Roman Republic
• Based on balance of interests
(people)
• Three main parts
– Monarchical
– Aristocratic
– Democratic
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What is the
Monarchical branch?
Monarchical
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•
•
•
2 consuls
Directed government
Acted as judges and chief priest
Basis of Power:
– Possess imperium
– Needed for leadership
• Limits on Power:
– One year term
– Each could veto
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What is the Aristocratic
branch?
Aristocratic
•
•
•
•
Senate
Controlled state budget
Could pass laws
Basis of Power:
– Richest
• Limits on Power:
– Couldn’t control army
– Needed majority as soldiers
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What is the Democratic
branch?
Democratic
•
•
•
•
•
•
Assembly of Tribes/Tribune
Approved/rejected laws
Decided on war
Acted as final court
Tribune could veto
Basis of Power:
– Provided most of the soldiers
• Limits on Power:
– Couldn’t suggest laws
– Often paid as clients
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What about the United
States?
United States Government
• Based on balance of
powers/functions
• Executive-President
• Legislative-Congress
• Judicial-Supreme Court
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Compare and contrast
the Roman Republic to
the United States
government!
Other similarities and differences
Similarities
Differences
Both had to throw off a foreign
power to establish a nation.
The US holds elections to find
leaders, while the Romans used
military power to bring in a new
Caesar.
Controlled land outside of their
borders and a large land mass.
In the US every citizen has born
natural rights such as the right to
life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness.
Any law that seemed
unreasonable or grossly unfair
could be set aside. In the US this
is similar to declaring something
unconstitutional.
No real system to control the
emperors existed except to
overthrow them.
It was common for emperors to
have enemies killed.
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Democracy, what is it?
democracy:
1. government by the people; a form of government in
which the supreme power is vested in the people and
exercised directly by them or by their elected agents
under a free electoral system.
1. a state having such a form of government: The United
States and Canada are democracies
1. a state of society characterized by formal equality of
rights and privileges
1. political or social equality; democratic spirit.
1. the common people of a community as distinguished
from any privileged class; the common people with
respect to their political power.
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The Roman Republic
The Roman Forum in 2004
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Civil Unrest
An 1849 engraving depicting the Secession of the Plebs in 494 BCE
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How democratic was
the Roman Republic?