The Roman RepublicThe Roman Republic

What legacies were left to us by the Romans?

The Roman RepublicThe Roman Republic• 509BC: a group of rich nobles (Patricians) overthrew Rome’s king• They set up a new government known as a republic• Roman “citizens” would vote for Patricians who would represent them in the

Roman Senate• The Senate would propose and vote on laws• Most citizens were not Patricians (rich nobles)• Most were Plebeians who were farmers and merchants• The Plebeians began to pressure the patricians, to change the government• The first important victory for the plebeians was writing down Roman laws• All laws would be carved on 12 tables

PatriciansPlebeians

• All citizens would now have the right to protection under the law

• Next, Romans formed separate houses in the legislative branch• The Senate was still made up of the Patricians• Two Assemblies were made up of the Plebeians In times of crisis, the Senate could also appoint a temporary leader The leader was only supposed to stay in power for 6 months

Legal Legacies of Rome• Romans believed in a government of laws and not of men• Roman ideas in Western Democracy:

1) All citizens are equal under the law

2) People are innocent until proven guilty

3) The accuser must prove their case, not the accused

4) Unreasonable or unfair laws would be set aside• 1000 years later Emperor Justinian ordered the writing down of all laws• The Justinian Code contained 5,000 Roman Laws

• The code was used in all legal matters

Other Roman LegaciesOther Roman Legacies

Romans = Republic = Representative Government (3 R’s)

Stadiums

Downtowns

Aqueducts

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