Ch14 The Romans

14.1 The Government

1. Romans -overthrew Etruscans-set-up Republic-lasted about 500 yrs

2. Roman Republic -headed by 2 consuls

-chosen each yr.-administrators-military leaders

-commanders-in-chief during war

-veto each others actions-both had to agree before a law was passed

-senate-300 men (senators) patricians

-chosen for life-handled daily problems-advised consuls-discussed ways to deal w/other countries-proposed laws-approved public contracts

-roads-temples

3. other officials -judges-assemblies

-all Roman citizens-declare war or peace

-tribunes-protect rights of plebeians

4. Roman law -450BC written record of laws

-foundation for all future Roman law-12 Tables

-carved on bronze tablets-located in Forum-applied to patricians & plebeians

-patricians-oldest -wealthiest-could hold public office

-plebeians-poor-farmers-merchants-traders-could own land-could not hold public office

-could not marry patrician-wills, property rights, court actions

-plebeians demanded more rights-elected 10 tribunes-veto power

-250 BC no more debt slavery-could hold public office and marry patrician-moving toward democratic government