Chapter 13

Everyday Statesman

Focus

In this presentation you will learn about the types of citizens, the path for a successful political career and the role of the Senate.

Key TermsPatrician, Plebeian, EquitesCursus Honorum: Quaestor, Aedile, Praetor,

Consul

SPQR

Citizens Patricians Plebeians Nobles Equites (Knights)

Non Citizens• Women• Slaves• Foreigners

Citizens were given the right to vote and the duty of military service.

CitizensPatricians The wealthiest

class from established families

Plebeians• Everyone else!

EQUITES Wealthy plebeians Originated from the

cavalry businessmen Must have property

worth 400,000 sesterces

NOBLES A Later title used to

distinguish the rich from the poor

Included the Patricians and the Equites

Cursus Honorum• Questor• **Aedile• *Praetor• *Consul

*curule magistrates which meant they were able to sit in a special chair sella curulis which was an ivory folding stool

**Only the 2 patrician aediles were curule

Curule

Quaestor sought at the ages of 27-30 Term = 1 year There were several Quaestors with the number increasing

along with the size of the empire Usually sought often 10 years in the military and having

been a military or plebeian tribune Was the “Treasurer” Collected the taxes and oversaw expenditures

Aedile• sought 2 years after Questor• Term = 1 year• Originally were 2 plebeians but 2 patricians were added• Oversaw public works including public buildings(like temples),

roads, markets, the grain dole and games• An optional but favorable office since it allowed the person to

win support through providing lavish games.

Praetor sought 2 years after Aedile were in their 30’s Term = 1 year Had ‘imperium’ or supreme authority, including

the ability to apply/execute the death penalty 2 types: praetor urbanus; praetor peregrinus Number of Praetors grew along with empire Were the supreme civil judges Urbanus: oversaw suits between citizens Peregrinus: oversaw suits involving foreigners Propraetor served in a province ‘in place of' the

praetor

Consul• sought 2 years after Praetor• were at least 42• Term = 1 year• Had ‘imperium’ or supreme authority, including the

ability to apply/execute the death penalty• Re-election only after 10 years• There were 2 so that no one man could have all the

power• Were military commanders• Presided over the senate• Proconsul served in a province ‘in place of' the consul

Lucius Junius Brutus the 1st consul

Tribunes• Military Tribune

– Elected by his legion– Sought after a minimum of 5

years of service

• Plebeian Tribune aka: Tribune of the plebs– Elected by the Concilium Plebis – Protected the plebeians– Held the power of veto and

could stop legislation or the games or anything else that might oppress a plebeian.

Dictator• was appointed only in time of

emergency• had supreme control and imperium• was a 6 month term• the other magistrates remained in office

but the dictator had the ultimate power to lead the army and decide judicial matters

• Cincinnatus was an ideal dictator who called upon in a time of crisis, lead Rome to safety and then willingly gave up the power to go back to work on his farm

Statue of Cincinatus in Ohio

Censors

• Censor– Only used in times of the census (every 5 years)– Appointed by comitia centuriata from former

consuls– determined a citizen’s status (patrician, pleb, etc)

Roman Assemblies

• Senate• Comitia Curiata• Comitia Centuriata• Comitia Tributa• Concilium Plebis

Senate• Members: 100, 300, 600 (80BC), 900 (reform of Julius

Caesar)• Not elected; entry was given for holding a high office (one

on the cursus honorm) or birth and for having property worth 1,000,000 sesterces

• Served as advisors to magistrates• Made decrees not laws• Sent “bills” to various comitia for voting• Expelled only for misconduct

Comitia Curiata Based on the Curiae which was the

organization of the original 3 tribes Important earlier on in Rome’s History Met only formally on occasion to bestow

imperium on consuls and praetors

Comitia Centuriata Based on the centuries (voting units) Admission to unit was based on your ability to

provide equipment for military service The wealthier centuries had more votes Decided on military matters (war and peace) Elected Praetors and Consul Heard appeals of capital cases (death penalty)

Met on the Campus Martius

Comitia Tributa• Based on 35 tribes• Decided on bills sent by magistrates• Elected Quaestors and Aediles• Heard appeals of non-capital cases• Met in the Roman Forum (pictured below)

Concilium Plebis• Based on 35 tribes• Plebeians Only!• Elected Plebeian Tribunes and Aediles• after 287BC its resolutions became laws for all

known as plebiscita• Met in the Roman forum (pictured below)

AssignmentNow you will need to give a campaign speech of your own. You will need to give a speech in the voice board. This is like a discussion board but it allows you the record your post and response. You can also type your post. Your speech should include:•An introduction of your self •What office you are seeking •What experience/previous positions held•What you will do for Rome, given the parameters of the office you are seeking•Don’t forget “vote” by responding to a classmate’s post. You would want to state why you are voting (or not) for the person...based on their speech.