Ancient Rome

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Ancient Rome
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Roman Republic

• 509 B.C. Rome develops a government called a
  republic
• Indirect democracy citizens elect leaders who
  make government decisions
• Only free-born males can vote

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Roman Republic

• Two groups competed for power
• Patricians rich landowners who held most of the
  power
• Plebeians common farmers, artisans, and
  merchants. They forced the patricians to give
  them more power

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Republican Government

• Separate branches of government
• Two consuls commanded the army and led the govt
• Roman Senate aristocrats who advised the consuls
  and controlled the money

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Republican Government

• Two assemblies included other classes of people
• In times of crisis, a dictator was appointed for
  a 6 month term
• Expansion creates problems for the Roman republic

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Republican Government

• Rome ends democracy and becomes an empire under
  Augustus in 27 B.C.

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Roman Law

• Romes legal principles influence the growth of
  democracy throughout the Western world
• Rome establishes a written legal code

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Written Legal Code

• Twelve Tablets (451 B.C.) assured citizens
  protection under the law
• Justinians Code (528 A.D.) compiled all laws
  made since the earlier code

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Written Legal Code

• Written laws establish the idea of a government
  of laws, not of men (Aristotle)