Ancient Rome Government

2013

Systems of Government in Rome

Ancient Romans participated in government as part of their civic duty. They could do anything that they felt would make the city prosper. For example, anyone could attend an assembly meeting, but they had to be in a select group to vote. Rich people could hold a position in office, and were respected and admired for donating their time and commitment.

Checks and balances in Roman Government were a method of balancing power to ensure that one part of the government didn't have more power than another. This made government complicated. Sometimes people who disagreed would argue, but when they were working together, Rome had a strong government.

The Twelve Tables were the first written Roman laws. Romans began writing laws because people didn't like getting punished for things they didn't know were against the law. They were first displayed in 450 B.C. on twelve bronze tablets at the forum, a common meeting place. Some were about the rights of every Roman, while others were about the rights of Patricians.

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Leaders

Cincinnatus was one of the most famous dictators of the Republic. He was considered a good leader because he was not eager to keep his power. People admired him for his ability and loyalty.

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Caesar

Caesar was most remembered for conquering the majority of Gaul in just eight years. He was a good leader and speaker. He had an agreement with two other Roman military leaders named Pompey and Crassus to fight the Senate. Eventually, Caesar became very powerful and his friends became jealous. In 50 B.C., after the Romans had conquered Gaul, Pompey wanted Caesar to leave. Caesar later entered Italy with his army, which at that time meant that he was declaring war. Pompey and his men were outnumbered, so they fled, but were chased by Caesar to Egypt where Pompey met his fate. There, Caesar met Cleopatra and made her the Queen of Rome. He then returned to Rome and forced the Senate to name him dictator for 10 years, but that ended up being until the end of his life. People began thinking that Caesar wanted to be king, and they didn't like that, so he was killed on the Ides of March (March 15), after he was told to beware it. Marc Antony and Octavian, a couple of Ceasar's friends, went after the attackers. They found them in Philippi and killed them. One of the attackers was Brutus, a traitor and former friend of Caesar.

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Octavian/Augustus

Octavian then proceeded to Italy, while Marc Antony went east to fight. Marc Antony met Cleopatra and divorced his wife, Octavian's sister. Octavian saw this as an insult and attacked in 31 B.C. This began a civil war in Rome. After Marc Antony was defeated, he ran to Egypt with Cleopatra. There, they committed suicide so that they do not become Octavian's prisoners. Octavian became the new Roman ruler and in 27 B.C., he decided to give more power to the Senate, but he actually kept most power. He took the title "Princeps" meaning first citizen. The Senate then named him Augustus.

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Roman Branches of Government

There were three branches of government in Roman times of peace, and four branches of government in times of war. During times of war, a dictator was elected to rule Rome and was the fourth branch. A dictator had almost absolute power. They were only in office for six months so that they could not abuse their power. After that, they were forced to give up their power.

In times of peace, a group of magistrates ruled Rome. The two most powerful magistrates were called consuls. Two consuls were elected annually to run the city and lead the army. The Romans used two consuls to maintain the checks and balance system. Magistrates of lower rank worked as judges in finance or as game and festival coordinators. Each magistrate had his own duties and powers.

Senate

The second branch of government during times of peace was the Senate. The Senate was a council of wealthy and powerful Romans who advised city leaders. Once they were elected, they were in office for life. It was comprised of approximately 300 members, mostly patricians, but there were also some plebeians. The Senate became very powerful over time. They greatly influenced the magistrates and by 200 B.C., they also had a big influence on the government as a whole.

Assemblies and Tribunes

The third and least powerful branch of government in times of peace was the assemblies and tribunes. The assemblies were made up of patricians and plebeians who elected the magistrate. The tribunes were elected by plebeians and could veto (prohibit) other officials' actions. Members of the tribune could be in office for only one year.

Changes in Time

In approximately 27 B.C., Cicero, an orator, wanted to limit the power of the generals and give more power to the Senate. An orator was a public speaker. Unfortunately for Cicero, his attempts to change the government from a republic to an empire were unsuccessful.

Social Order

Pleblians were common people like peasants, craftsmen, and traders, while patricians were nobles and wealthy people. At first, only patricians could have a position in office. Some pleblians, like traders, were as rich as the patricians, but they couldn't have an office position. The pleblians easily outnumbered patricians, but they STILL couldn't have an office position. The pleblians decided that they wanted more say in the laws. So in 494 B.C., the pleblians formed their own council and elected their own officials. This scared the patricians; they realized without cooperation, Rome would fall apart, so they decided to change.