Roman Republic Government Overview

Plebeians

Everyday common people, working class

Patricians

Wealthy nobles, aristocrats

Separation of powers

In a democracy, power is divided into different branches. This is done to keep any one branch from gaining too much power.

Checks and balances

Each government branch has power over other branches. Again this is to keep any one part from becoming too powerful.

12 Tables

A set of written laws for Roman citizens. Writing down the laws made the code more fair for all people.

Laws of Nations

Written laws for Roman allies and non-citizens. This allowed the greater fairness to touch all people who lived under Roman rule.

Consuls

2 of them. Powers - head of the Army and the government, with veto power. Like the President and our executive branch.

Senate

Controlled by Patricians, proposes laws and controls money and foreign policy. Like our senate and is part of the legislative branch.

Council of Plebes or Tribunes

Plebeian-dominated, raises plebeian issues in government. Like the House of Representatives and are part of the legislative branch.

Praetors

Judges interpreting laws, similar to our judicial branch. (Supreme Court)

Assembly of Centuries

When citizens met to vote for officials to serve in the government. Basically the people who can vote.

If there was a crisis what would the Republic do?

Appoint a temporary dictator who would give up his power when the crisis was over.

Cincinnatus

Elected dictator, defended Rome, then relinquished power

Scipio

Roman general who defeated Hannibal and attacked Carthage

Hannibal

Carthaginian general defeated by Scipio, known for his many victories in the second Punic War.

Carthage

Located in North Africa, rival to Rome for power in the Mediterranean region.

First Punic War

Started over who owned Sicily. Real reason was who would dominate the Mediterranean region. Rome wins and starts to assert its dominance.

Elephants in Second Punic War

Hannibal used elephants in his campaign against Rome. (Only sometimes but it became a thing.)

Second Punic War

Hannibal seeks revenge, and does much damage to Rome before Scipio defeats Hannibal/Carthage in the end.

Third Punic War

Rome destroys Carthage to enhance (make bigger) its wealth.

Roman Conquests

Rome conquers Greece, Macedonia, and part of Asia around the same time as the Punic wars. They are officially an empire as they have conquered so much land.

What ideas did the USA's government copy from Rome?

Separation of powers/checks and balances and in law the right to defend yourself and being presumed innocent until proven guilty.