Name: Date:
Global History I Malvagno
The Political Reforms of the Republic and the structure of Roman Society
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At first, all government officials in the Roman Republic were plebians. These were the vast bulk of the population of Rome. They were the common people. In 450BC, the plebians forced the Roman government to set down the laws of Rome on 12 tablets that were put up for public display in the Forum, the marketplace of Rome. In addition, the right elect plebian government officials, called tribunes, was granted to the plebs. Tribues were sacrosanct, meaning sacred, members of the Roman government. They had the power to veto any law that they felt did not benefit plebians.
The family was the basic unit of Roman society. Under the law, the male head of the household had complete power over his family. The ideal Roman woman was loving, dutiful, dignified and strong. Women could not handle their own public affairs, her husband had to do all. Later in Roman history, women gain some significant influence. Some run their own businesses and became supporters of arts and public festivals. Still, most women stayed at home, raising their families. A very few Roman women ended up with significant political power and influence.
Both girls and boys learned to read and write. Graffiti found on walls of the city is proof that even lower class people were educated. A wealthy Roman family would often hire a Greek tutor (who may have been a slave), to educate the children. Any boy that wanted to become a politician had to study rhetoric, the art of utilizing words to best express your opinion.
Roman gods and goddesses were very similar to Etruscan and Greek gods. Instead of Zeus, Romans had Jupiter. Instead of Ares, the Romans had Mars. Public festivals, much like for the Greeks, were religious in nature and meant to bring the favor of the gods upon the city.