Unit 3 Part 2

Roman Republican Government Overview

• Understanding the connection between the following terms is essential for discussing how the Roman Republican government operated.

Key Terms

Hortexian Law

• Ended the Conflict of Orders in Rome.

• Stated that laws could be passed even if a person was a "new man" (someone from outside the elite classes).

• New men were rare, indicating the dominance of elite families in Roman politics.

Consuls

• The highest elected officials in the Roman Republic, akin to a president or prime minister.

• There were two consuls who served as executive leaders.

  • Each term lasted one year.

  • They could be reelected, but there were limits in place at various times.

• Example of Gaius Marius, who served as consul seven times (six times legally).

Proletarians

• The lowest class in Roman society, individuals who were poor and landless.

• They held one collective vote in the Centurion Assembly, which greatly limited their influence.

Sacrosanctity

• The sacred quality bestowed upon tribunes and other officials during their term.

• Killing a tribune was considered a religious offense leading to severe consequences for the perpetrator.

Assemblies and Decision-Making

• The Centurion Assembly held ultimate power in decisions like declaring war.

• In theory, all major decisions (elections, laws) went through assemblies, but practical politics meant that consuls often consulted the Senate before presenting decisions to the assembly.

Veto Powers

• Consuls do not have veto powers over assembly decisions.

• Similarly, tribunes could not veto decisions made by the Centurion Assembly due to separate jurisdictions.

Historical Context and Republic Development

• The Roman Republic evolved to prevent monarchical rule after a historical aversion to kings.

• Established around the sixth to fifth centuries BCE, transitioning from a monarchy to a republic.

Key Events and Factors in Expansion

• Early Rome was a small town with about 30,000 residents, involved in minor conflicts.

• Significant events leading to expansion:

  • Conquest of neighbors like an Etruscan town.

  • Integration of new citizens post-conquest, strengthening the army by including landless poor.

The Gauls

• A traumatic defeat by the Gallic tribe instilled a defensive paranoia in Romans, prompting them to expand for security against future invasions.

Military Structure and Tactics

Manipular Legions

• Manipular formations were a key Roman military innovation.

• Comprised of three lines, allowing for efficient battle strategies.

• Soldiers maintained a cycle of fresh troops by rotating who fought at the front.

Tactical Evolution

• Roman battles featured unique formations and strategies, adapting over time.

• Shield Types: Such as scutum for defense.

• Use of pila (javelins) designed to disrupt enemy formations before hand-to-hand combat.

Implications of Expansion

• Expansion brought challenges, including the need for increased labor and military support, further complicating internal Roman politics.

• Creation of alliances with conquered Italian tribes instead of complete subjugation helped consolidate power.

Summary

• The Roman Republic was characterized by the balance of power among elected officials, assemblies, and the Senate, ensuring a system that, while leaning toward oligarchy, allowed for some level of public input and civic engagement.

• Key laws, social classes, military formations, and historical experiences shaped their governmental structure and expansionist policies.