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

MagistratesConsulsWomen 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

PlebiansConsulsSenatePatriciansTribunesSlaves

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 Consuls

Governor 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 ofPowers of citizensVoting rightsSystem of governmentSenate? 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