ANCIENT ROMAN
GOVERNMENT
TIMELINE OF THE DIFFERENT RULES THAT EXISTED IN ANCIENT ROME
753 BC
•Kingdom –Ruled by kings
509 BC
•Republic –Ruled by people elected by citizens
27 BC
•Empire – ruled by emperors
ROMAN REPUBLICREPUBLIC IS A FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN WHICH CITIZENS ELECT LEADERS
TO REPRESENT THEM
Roman Republic comprised of
citizens who were divided into three
classes -
1.Patricians were rich nobles. They usually lived in grand houses and had
slaves to do their work for them. Because they were
citizens of Rome they were allowed to go to the Assembly to vote.
2.Plebeians were ordinary peasants and the poor
people.Because they were citizens of Rome they were
allowed to go to the Assembly to vote.
3. Slaves had no money, no rights, no freedom and
were not citizens of Rome. Because they were not
citizens of Rome they were not allowed to go to the
Assembly to vote.
To vote for
Went to
Assembly
Patricians
Tribunes
Plebeians
MagistratesConsuls
Women and slaves were not allowed to
vote
STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT UNDER THE REPUBLIC
TWO CONSULS Two chief officials(Patricians)who held office in the Ancient Roman Republic in place of a king
MAGISTRATES It was the magistrates job to keep law and order and also to manage Rome's financial affairs. When magistrates retired they became senators and attended the Senate.
TRIBUNESThe citizens of Rome voted for tribunes. It was the tribunes job to make sure that the people were treated fairly. They were appointed to protect the Plebeians.Senators were retired magistrates and knew a lot about the government of Rome. They gave advice to the consuls
POWERS OF CONSULS
SUPERVISED the work of other government
officials.
Ran the government
Directed (commanded) the
army
Acted as judges
In an emergency, consuls could
choose a dictator – a single ruler to
make quick decisions.
POWERS OF MAGISTRATES
I am one of the Magistrates elected by the assembly. It is our job to keep law and order
and finances of Rome
POWERS OF TRIBUNES
It is our job to make sure that the people are treated fairly.
POWERS OF SENATE
to discuss important government issues.
Senators were retired magistrates and knew a lot about the government of Rome
the senate gives advice to the two consuls
IN YOUR BOOKS: ACTIVITY 1
Heading: Roman republic
Group Description
Powerful/ Not powerful
Right to vote? Yes/No
Plebians
Consuls
Senate
Patricians
Tribunes
Slaves
IN YOUR BOOKS: ACTIVITY 2 Using the words in the word bank draw
two pyramids showing the political hierarchy of Ancient Rome and modern Australia
ConsulsGovernor generalSlavesTribunesMagistratesPrime ministerCabinetMinisters
Ancient Rome
Modern Australia
ROMAN LEGACY Did the Romans view the world differently to us?
How? Do we still follow any of the Roman practices? Discuss in terms of
Powers of citizens
Voting rights
System of government
Senate? Write a paragraph summarising your views and
thoughts about the discussion Key Words (can be used for spelling list): republic,
citizen, assembly, consuls, magistrates, patricians, plebeians, senate, tribunes