Social Studies Roman Republic Vocabulary

Patricians

-Wealthiest group of Roman citizens

-10% of the population

-Owned majority of the land

-Wore light colors and “fancy“ clothes

Plebeians

-90% of the population

-Included artisans (makers), shopkeepers, and owners of small farms

-Wore darker colors

-Couldn’t afford nicer clothes

Plebeians and Patricians

-Males of both classes were Roman citizens

-Both have the right to vote

-Both pay taxes

-Both serve in the army

-Plebeians have less social status

-No marriages between the two were allowed

-Plebeians can not hold office

Consuls

-Two individuals from the Patrician class were chosen

-Served a 1 year term

-Headed the army

-Ran the government

-Did not have as much power as the Senate

Veto

-“I forbid”

-Latin word

-Power granted to consuls

Praetors

-Judges of Rome

-Interpreted the laws

-Known from the Patrician class

Tribunes

-10 Plebeians

-Chosen by the assembly (council of plebs)

-Power increased overtime

-Eventually were able to forbid (veto) laws

Dictator

Cincinnatus

Forum

Twelve Tables

Fasces

Carthage

Punic Wars

Hannibal

Cannae

Scipio

Zama