 Objective:
I can operate a Roman
Republic and fix the problems
the Romans couldn’t.
Homework:
– List 5 different ways to be a
good citizen. Example: Voting!
PDN:
What are two major differences between a
plebeian and a patrician? Make sure one of
them includes something about the
government.
Main Idea # 3
How the Roman
Republic works
In your passport…
 If this was a pop quiz… and I asked you to
in detail describe the difference between a
republic and a democracy to me….what
would you write?
Main Idea # 3
Consul
Praetors
Senate
Tribunes
Main Idea # 3
Consuls
1. Top government official
(Like our President)
2. Two chosen every year
3. Headed the army and ran the government
4. Served short term….avoided risk of
abusing power
5. Veto
 The right of the consul to reject the
other’s decision. Latin for “I forbid”
Main Idea # 3
Senate
1. 300 men
2. Chosen for life
3. Advise Consul
4. Deal with other countries
5. Proposes laws
6. Approve public works
7. Deal with daily government problems
(Congress)
Main Idea # 3
Praetors
1. Government officials
2. Interpreted law and judged court cases
(Supreme Court & IRS)
3. Kept tax records
4. Handled public finances
5. Supervised public festivals
Main Idea # 3
Tribunes
1. Elected by all citizens (Plebeians have a
large majority so they really elect the
official)
2. Bring Plebeian concerns to the
government (Lobbiest)
3. Right to veto actions taken by the
government
First steps towards democracy in Rome!
Warm Up: (in your passport)
The plebeians/patricians (pick one) control
the majority of the government (who
controlled the pop quiz yesterday).
The commoners are the plebeian/patrician
(pick one), they are not allowed to take
part in the ______________________.
What is the difference between a republic
and democracy?
Main Idea # 3
Keeping it Fair!
 How do you know what a law says?
How do you know how someone should
be punished if they do something wrong?
Draco of Greece was the first person to
do this!
Write the laws down so the patricians
couldn’t be unfair to the plebeians!!!!
Main Idea # 3
Keeping it Fair!
451 BCE The Twelve Tablets were made on
bronze tablets
 Where would you put them in Rome so
everyone (both rich and poor) could see
them?
The forum (marketplace)
Main Idea # 3
Keeping it Fair!
 Finish these sentences….
 Innocent
until______________________.
 You have the right to _____________ in
court.
1. Laws of Nations – laws to settle disputes
between all people
 Do we still use this today???
Main Idea # 3
Keeping it Fair!
 Is it fair to punish one person for stealing
but not another person? Why or why not?
1. Rule of Law – the idea that all laws
should apply to every person equally and
all people should be treated the same by
the legal system
2. We base all our laws today off of this
idea made by the Romans!
DBQ