2. Important Term’s
Tribunes - No military function, powerful political office, had the power to help people, elected by the small
farmers and the aristocrats. Also well protected and held great power of the Plebeians.
Republic - Form of government which affairs of state are public matter.
Senate - Political body that when joined you cannot leave, and requires 10 years of military service.
“Conflict of the orders” - Struggle where Roman citizens struggling against each other for civil right’s, and
government representation.
Patricians - Aristocratic ruling class
Plebeians - Commoners of Rome
Consul - Senates two chief executive’s that also have served as commander-in-chief in the military.
3. Important Terms cont.
Dictator - An absolute ruler
Veto - The ability to cancel or overrule a decision
Assembly of the Plebs - Assembly of commoners
Censor - Helped in the collection of taxes and organizing military duties.
Executive - The consuls
Legislative - The assemblies and Senate
Judiciary - The courts
Praetor - Officer of the law that was put on charge of judiciary and lead armies if needed.
Twelve tables - Law’s written on twelve bronze tablets.
Cursus Honorum - Ladder of executive offices, positions of power in the government
4. Rome’s conversion to Republic
King Servius Tullius was killed by his daughter Tullia, and her lover Lucius Tarquinius Superbus or “Tarquin the
Proud”. The corrupt king and queen had a child named Sextus who was a drunkard, and a rapist because he raped
noble lady Lucretia who out of shock, and disgrace killed herself. She was found by Brutus, Collatinus, and Valerius
who led a charge against the royal family, and won forcing the queen and king to flee and Sextus to die. After the
rule of Superbus Rome decided to convert to a republic.
5. Roman Character
Rome had great strength in traditions which it owes much of it’s success to and lasted well into the imperial period
and gave Rome a distinctive Identity.
The Roman people were strong and powerful both in military might and, depending what class you were in, politics.
the most reviewed people were the people that were on the Senate. they were reviewed to have high character and
great power in decisions for the city in times of emergency
6. Roman Twelve Tablets
Plebeians demanded to have written laws and in 449 B.C. they received the twelve bronze tablets
of laws and if you disobey those laws you get severely punished
7. Branches of Government in Rome
Executive branch: The branch of the government that is responsible for carrying out the laws
Legislative branch: the branch of the government that has the power of legislating
Legislating: To make or enact laws
Judiciary branch: The branch of government that is responsible for the Administration of justice
Praetor: An officer of the law put in charge of the judiciary branch that lead armies as needed too
8. Roman Legislation
Legislative branch: the branch of the government that has the power of legislating
Legislating: To make or enact laws
Roman legislation according to the historian Polybius it was the people and thus the assemblies that
had final say in matters like declaring peace or war, and making alliances. The assemblies had been
presided over one Roman Magistrate, and so he made decision concerning procedure and legality.
9. Judiciary
Judiciary branch: The branch of government that is responsible for the Administration of justice
Praetor: An officer of the law put in charge of the judiciary branch that lead armies as needed too
The Roman Judicial system revolved around the twelve tablets to the Corpus Juris Civilis.
10. Roman Executive Branch
Executive branch: The branch of the government that is responsible for carrying out the laws
Legislative makes.
The Romans had no distinct executive branch they had Roman Senate, and later council of tribunes
and plebes.
