Talking Points

Journal 17

Roman Republic and the Roman Empire

The Roman Republic

  • The Roman Republic began with the overthrow of the Roman Kingdom, traditionally thought to date to 509 BC and ending with the beginning of the Roman Empire in 27 BC
  • The last of the seven kings of Rome was Tarquin the Proud (Lucius TarquiniusSuperbus) Superbus “proud” – was the cognomen (third name of a citizen /nickname/ - it was used to augment the second, family name, to identify a particular branch.
  • His reign was described as tyranny that justified the abolition of the monarchy.
  • The function of the Senate during this period of time was only to advise the King – they had very little power.
  • The Roman Republic expanded the control of Rome by winning a series of wars over neighboring tribes (Sabine and Etruscan tribes)
  • The Republic elected two consuls to serve one-year terms. One presided over the military and the other the Senate.
  • Rome was not a democracy - while all male citizens were allowed to attend the assemblies, the votes for the wealthy class counted more than the poorer citizens.
  • Civic officials were elected each year and a hierarchy of state offices evolved.
  • The Roman Senate – which originally was an advisor council, began to increase their power – making legislation and governed.
  • This body served for life.
  • There was conflict between the plebeians – the majority of the population and the patricians – the elite.
  • Occasionally the plebeians would refuse to work or fight.
  • These reforms eventually culminated in the 12 tables.
  • This would check the arbitrary decisions by judges.
  • Another important reform was the tribunes, who were drawn for and elected by the lower classes – they had the power of veto any action of the Assembly.
  • Many of these plebeians were subject to bribery and or found themselves included amount the elite – a change in status.
  • The basic unit of Roman society was the family. Heritage was very important.
  • The Client/Patron Relationship – Clients sought to have help and protection of the patrons – who promised protection, advice and even loaned money.
  • The Clients would join the patron in times of war, support him politically, and work his land if needed.
  • Clients would await their patrons and follow them to the Forum each morning for the day’s business – they themselves might be a patron of a lower-class people.
  • Women in the history of Rome are perceived as children in the eyes of the law. They were not allowed to own land, represent themselves, which made them completely dependent on their fathers and husbands.
  • Women of strength and knowledge did use there wits to influence the men around them and there are many stories of queen mothers and consorts doing just that.