Ancient Roman Government

Roman Republic

Government

3 time periods of
Roman History

Key Terms – GOV’T

•Republic: Form of government

where citizens have the right to elect their leaders

•Also has a

constitution or set
of laws for the
civilization

Multiple Choice

What is a republic?

• A form of government where citizens have the right to elect their leaders

• A government that has a king or queen

Multiple Choice

What is a constitution?

• A set of laws for the civilization

• A set of laws for a classroom

• A set of laws for the world

• A set of suggestions

Key Terms – Social

Classes

• Roman Republic had 2 main social classes:

• Patricians:

• 1) Wealthy land-owners
• 2) Had most power
• 3) Could influence the government

• Plebeians:

• 1) 95% of the population
• 2) Ordinary citizens, some lower class
• 3) Could not influence government

Multiple Choice

How many social classes did Ancient Rome have?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

Patricians were ________.

• Ordinary citizens

• Wealthy landowners

Multiple Choice

Plebeians were _______.

• Ordinary citizens

• Wealthy landowners

Creating the Republic

• At first, Rome was ruled by Etruscan kings

from 650-509 B.C.

• The patricians did not like the rule of the

Etruscans, so they rebelled!

In 509 B.C., the Roman
Republic began after

patricians overthrew the

last Etruscan king.

Government Structure

CITIZENS

PATRICIANS

PLEBEIANS

SLAVES
No rights

WOMEN

Could not own
property or

vote

Multiple Choice

True or False: Women could vote and own property.

• True

• False

CITIZENS

PATRICIANS

SENATE

1) 300 Patricians, held position
for life to make laws
2) Controlled finances ($)
3) Involved with foreign and
some military matters

SENATE

1)
2)
3)

2 CONSULS

1) Elected by Senate,
position for 1 year
2) Declare war,
Commander in chief
3) Judges when needed
in major cases

DICTATOR
chosen in an
EMERGENCY

Multiple Choice

In Ancient Rome, who controlled the finances?

• The Senate

• Consuls

Multiple Choice

In Ancient Rome, who could make decisions about war?

• The Senate

• Consuls

Multiple Choice

In Ancient Rome, who held positions for life to make laws?

• The Senate

• Consuls

Multiple Choice

In Ancient Rome, who held their position for only one year?

• The Senate

• Consuls

Plebeians get Reforms

• Early on, plebeians had

to obey laws, but had no
say or influence.

• The plebeians rebelled

and made the patricians
compromise

• Plebeians are allowed to

elect: People’s Assembly
and 10 Tribunes

• 451 B.C. – Laws were

written down, called
the Twelve Tables

• 367 B.C. – One of the

consuls had to be a
plebeian

• 287 B.C. – Plebeians

gain right to pass laws
for all Roman citizens
(men)

Multiple Choice

How did the plebeians get reforms?

• They asked the patricians politely

• They rebelled and made the patricians compromise

PLEBEIANS

PEOPLES’ ASSEMBLY

1) Make laws for Plebeians
(eventually for all citizens)
2) Elect 10 Tribunes members
3) Tried legal cases (court)

10 TRIBUNES

1) Speak for Plebeians to the
Senate
2) Could veto* laws they felt
were unfair to Plebeians
3) Elected by Peoples’ Assembly

PEOPLES’ ASSEMBLY
1)
2)
3)
*Veto = reject,
“I forbid it”

Multiple Choice

Who were the 10 Tribunes?

• Men elected to speak for and protect the plebeians from the patricians

• Men elected by patricians

Multiple Choice

What does the word "veto" mean?

• To accept

• To plead

• To reject

• To write

Roman Republic

is one of the

main influences

for U.S.

government

Multiple Choice

The _____ ________ is one of the main influences for the U.S. government.

• Greek Monarchy

• Greek Democracy

• Roman Democracy

• Roman Republic