Roman Republic Notes

Roman Senate

Do Now

  • Complete the assignment on page 320 in the textbook.

Interact with History: What Makes a Successful Leader?

  • The 19th-century painting by Italian artist Cesare Maccari shows Cicero addressing the Roman Senate.

  • Consider the qualities of a successful leader and whether this leader would be effective today.

  • As a senator in ancient Rome, decide whether to support or oppose a powerful leader who has gained territory and wealth for Rome but has also disobeyed orders and is seen as ruthless and devious.

  • Consider whether his ambition would lead to prosperity or injustice.

Examining the Issues

  • Discuss whether results or integrity are more important in measuring leadership.

  • Consider whether a leader needs to be likable to succeed.

  • Reflect on qualities of past leaders like Alexander the Great and Darius of Persia and how those qualities led to success or failure.

  • Analyze how the qualities of Roman leaders helped or hindered Rome's development.

Government under the Republic

  • In the first Century BC, Roman writers boasted of their new government

  • Claimed they achieved a balanced government.

  • Took the best aspects of old governments.

Government under the Republic: Taking the Best from the Rest

  • Best features of a monarchy (governed by a single leader).

  • Best features of an aristocracy (governed by nobles).

  • Best features of a democracy (governed by the people).

Roman Republic Government

  • Led by 2 leaders called consuls.

  • Like Kings, they commanded the army and directed the government.

  • Their power was limited; they could only serve for one year.

  • Could run again, but not until 10 years later.

  • One Consul could overrule their cohort and veto the other's decisions.

Roman Republic: The Senate

  • The aristocratic branch of Rome's government.

  • Held legislative and administrative functions.

  • 300 members, made up of the upper class of Roman society.

  • Later in the time of the Republic, the plebeians were allowed in the Senate.

Roman Republic: The Assembly

  • The Assemblies represented the more democratic side of government.

  • The Tribal Assembly was organized by the plebeians.

  • Elected the tribunes and made the laws for the common people.

Roman Republic: The Dictator

  • In times of crisis, the republic would appoint a Dictator.

  • A leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army.

  • A dictator would only remain in power for 6 months.

  • Dictators were chosen by the consul and elected by the Senate.

Influence from Multiple Types of Government

  • Aristocratic

    • Senate (Different than U.S.)

    • Only patricians; served for life.

    • Advisory branch; still had the force of law.

  • Democratic (all citizens)

    • Centuriated Assembly - Elected executive leaders.

    • Plebeians given the Tribune.

      • Could veto Patricians.

  • Executive

    • Consisted of two consuls.

      • Ran government and led army.

    • Praetors enforced civil law; another added for non-citizens.

Roman Republic Army

  • Rome had a strong love and great value in its military.

  • Anyone who owned land was required by law to serve in the army.

  • To serve in certain public positions, one needed to serve in the army for at least 10 years.

Roman Republic Army

  • Roman soldiers were organized into large units called legions.

  • Each Roman legion consisted of 5000 heavily armed foot soldiers.

  • Each legion was supported by a cavalry.

  • Legions were separated into smaller groups of men, known as centuries.

  • Broken down even further, very regimented.

  • Roman Army Structure

Breakdown of Rome's Army

  • 8 men = A contubernium

  • 10 Contubernium = A century, lead by a centurion

  • 6 centuries make up a cohort

  • 10 Cohorts plus a small calvary make up a legion