Cicero’s Speech

Q: What kind of government did they have in the era of the Roman Republic?

A: A Republic (Res Publica)

---The people have a role in the government---Based on Checks and Balances---Model for many modern countries today

Big Unit Question: How did Rome rise to greatness and fall so

quickly?

Think:Did this government structure make Rome

strong or weak?How would you (as your

character) feel about this structure?

PATRICIANS

ASSEMBLY

PLEBIANS

SENATE

TRIBUNES2 CONSULS

MAGISTRATES

EMERGENCY DICTATOR

PATRICIANS

ASSEMBLY

PLEBIANS

PATRICIANS:WEALTHY

10% OF POPULATION

PLEBIANS:MAJORITY OF POPULATION

SOME WEALTHY, SOME NOT

Who voted in the ASSEMBLY:•All male citizens of military age (15) could participate•Announcement posted about a vote•Met outside in the Forum•Speeches were given, debates held•Voting was public

Role of Assembly•Elected Government Officials•Voted on laws suggested by Senators•Declared War or Peace

Analyze:How might public voting affect the results?

Who had the most power in the Assembly?

If you wanted to be elected to government office, who would you have to please?

PATRICIANS

ASSEMBLY

PLEBIANS

SENATE

TRIBUNES2 CONSULS

MAGISTRATES

EMERGENCY DICTATOR

ASSEMBLY

TRIBUNES2 CONSULS

MAGISTRATES

10 Tribunes

•Elected by Plebians only•Could attend the Senate•Could veto (forbid) debated laws

2 Consuls•Ran the Government, had to agree on all decisions•Served 1 year, then not again for at least 10•Had to be Patricians (this changes)•Controlled the army•Acted as judges in disputes

Magistrates•Government officials: judges, organized festivals, collected taxes, supervised building projects etc.•Usually elected for 1 year•Could be either patrician or plebian

Analyze:How were the rights of the lower classes represented?

How were the rights of the upper class represented?

How did the Romans make sure the Consuls didn’t have too much power?

If the Assembly wanted to declare war, who’s support would they need?

How would people holding office for only 1 year affect the running of the government?

PATRICIANS

ASSEMBLY

PLEBIANS

SENATE

TRIBUNES2 CONSULS

MAGISTRATES

EMERGENCY DICTATOR

SENATE

MAGISTRATES

Senate•300 members•Served for Life•Had to be Patricians•Usually were retired magistrates•Chosen by the Consuls•Advised the Consuls and the Tribunes•Controlled the money, determined taxes•Could veto laws accepted by the Assembly•Made all decisions regarding foreign powers (treaties, trade etc.)

Analyze:

How could the Senate limit the power of the Assembly?

Could the Assembly limit the power of the Senate?

If the Assembly wanted to declare war and the Consuls agreed, how could the Senate keep it from happening?

How would the fact that Senators served for life affect the decision making process?

Why is the Senate often considered the most powerful part of the Roman government?

PATRICIANS

ASSEMBLY

PLEBIANS

SENATE

TRIBUNES2 CONSULS

MAGISTRATES

EMERGENCY DICTATOR

2 CONSULS

EMERGENCY DICTATOR

Emergency Dictator•In times of emergency, consuls could appoint a ‘temporary’ dictator•This person would serve for as long as the Consuls and Senate decided (ex: 15 days, 6 months)•Dictators did not need approval for decisions•Still ‘guided’ by Senate and Consuls and Assembly•When the time of crisis was over, things returned to normal

Analyze:How could the ‘emergency dictator’ rule help Rome?

How could the ‘emergency dictator rule’ hurt Rome?

To Do:1. Download your journal assignment sheet2. Download the ‘better vocabulary’ document3. With your table, discuss the important facts of the class, type them in the fact box4. With your group, discuss the way your characters may feel about the government structure. Try to use ‘better vocabulary’ to discuss.5. Write your paragraph diary entry. Make references to the facts (explain them) and explain how your character feels.