ipl-logo

How Did The Plebeians Contribute To The Formation Of The Roman Republic

431 Words2 Pages

The Roman Republic was established as a result of various factors and struggles against kingship. Firstly, the Etruscan kings who ruled over Rome were overthrown in 509 BCE, as their rule was seen as oppressive. This marked the beginning of the Roman Republic. Additionally, there were class struggles between the patricians, who were wealthy landowners, and the plebeians, who were common people. The plebeians faced social and political inequality, leading to conflicts between the two classes. These struggles played a significant role in the establishment of the Republic, as the plebeians sought greater representation and political rights. The patricians held a monopoly on political power, with the Senate being dominated by the aristocracy. In response, the plebeians fought for political representation and …show more content…

It had representative institutions such as the Senate, the Tribal Assembly, and the Plebeian Assembly. These bodies allowed for participation and decision-making by different segments of Roman society. The Tribal Assembly and the Plebeian Assembly provided platforms for citizens to debate and vote on legislation. Although the patricians initially had more power, the assemblies allowed the plebeians to voice their concerns and influence the decision-making process. Additionally, the Roman Republic had a system of laws that applied to all citizens, ensuring principles such as "innocent until proven guilty" and the right to a fair trial. This helped protect individual rights and prevent the arbitrary exercise of power. However, there were aspects that raised doubts about the democratic nature of the Roman Republic. “Evaluating the Roman Republic’s constitution and how it was applied in theory and practice it becomes clear that the Roman Republic, while constitutionally quite democratic, was in practice a fundamentally undemocratic society, dominated by a select caste of wealthy aristocrats.” (Brown Z.S.,

Show More
Related
327 Words | 2 Pages

Rome’s constitution had three different elements which held independent powers and shared their ideas to prove the constitution was democratic. The consuls and magistrates were the supreme masters of government and called together the People’s Assemblies to carry out whatever the majority of what the Assemblies decided (Doc A). Polybius also greatly admired how the Romans structured their

Read More
690 Words | 3 Pages

The Roman Republic was often known for its lasting influence for the development of Western political governance and ideals and is often hailed as a beacon of democracy in ancient history. But an in depth look reveals it to be more complex. While the Roman Republic held democratic elements that allowed citizen participation and representation, its political structure was ultimately characterized by a significant concentration of power among the elite and few for the average person. This essay will explore the extent of democracy within the Roman Republic, analyzing key aspects such as the electoral system, legislative bodies, and social hierarchy and the democratic nature and the implications it had on the overall governance of the state.

Read More
1945 Words | 8 Pages

Following the Holocaust and aftermath of world war II, Heda Kovaly’s Under a Cruel Star provides one woman’s view on communism in Czechoslovakia. In this memoir, the author develops the theme of popular support for communism by explaining the people's thoughts during that time and her own experiences with her husband’s support for communism. She uses the lens of the Czech people, herself, and her husband, Rudolf Margolius, to develop her theme for popular support for communism. Her use of these viewpoints helps explain how the party was able to take over Czechoslovakia after the Holocaust through their persuasive ideals.

Read More
515 Words | 3 Pages

Polybius goes on to say, “no one can say for sure whether the constitution is an aristocracy or democracy or despotism” in Document A. He then explains how the Roman Republic was each of them, an aristocracy, a democracy, and a despotism, for various reasons. One of these reasons was that, at times, the consuls, or the magistrates, and the Senate had more power than the Assemblies, but in different situations, it was the opposite. This shows that even Polybius, a man who was actually alive during the Roman Republic, didn’t know how to label

Read More
736 Words | 3 Pages

By this time, it took more effort to vote since people were coming from all over to vote. Rome started to add limits, “How easily a small number of urban residents registered in a rural tribe could determine the vote of that tribe is clear from the small percentage of citizens who actually voted.” (Document C) This shows how little the number of people voted that were actually Roman citizens. The Roman Republic started to become an aristocracy whenever a lot more of the wealthy people came into power.

Read More
96 Words | 1 Pages

The Roman Republic government contributed to the development of the democratic principles because the romans developed and its government eventually dividing into three branches. The Roman Republic had three main groups, patricians, Magistrates/Consuls Censors/praetors. The three main groups were like the democratic principle separation of powers. The Roman Republic had its “Rule of Law”, but the Romans called it the Twelve Tables. The democratic principle Representative government was also in the Roman Republic government, but was differently portrayed.

Read More
273 Words | 2 Pages

People known as Plebeians were excluded from many government jobs, voting was unfair, and everything outside of Rome was settled by the senate. The Roman government excluded the Plebeians from most rights that the Patricians had. Fifteen years after the Roman Republic formed, in 494 B.C., the Plebeians rebelled due to lack of political rights and tons of debt.

Read More
236 Words | 1 Pages

The Roman Republic was upheld by a republican constitution and, similar to the Athenian government, gave more power to the citizens in the decision making process. The Roman Republic constitution on the other hand also valued the rule of law and implemented checks and balances to prevent one single person or class from taking control of the republic. The republican constitution had a significant impact on the creation, maintenance, and success of the Roman Empire. By implementing the importance of the rule of law, the Roman Republic was able to create the groundwork for a successful republic to ensure that political leaders were going to be held accountable. They created the Senate which established a representative government to debate on

Read More
943 Words | 4 Pages

During the early times of the Roman Republic, lower-class citizens, or Plebeians, had virtually no say or impact on the government's rulings. Gradually, the Plebeians obtained more power, and could even hold the position of consul. Despite changes in the Roman Republic though, the Patricians were still able to use their wealth to gain control and influence. Constant war and internal conflict was weakening the Roman Empire, made worse by the fact that legions were more loyal to their generals that to the Emperor, and the

Read More
332 Words | 2 Pages

The establishment of the Roman Republic was the result of a series of struggles against kingship in ancient Rome. The circumstances that led to the establishment of the Republic can be traced back to the overthrow of the last Roman King, Tarquin the Proud, in 509 BC. The Roman people were dissatisfied with the rule of the Etruscan kings and sought to establish a more democratic form of government that would limit the power of any single individual. One of the key elements of the Roman Republic that made it democratic was the system of checks and balances that was put in place to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Read More
540 Words | 3 Pages

Title: The Roman Republic: Struggles, Democratic Elements, and Questions Introduction: The establishment of the Roman Republic marked a significant shift in the political landscape of ancient Rome. This essay explores the circumstances that led to the establishment of the Republic, as well as the democratic elements that characterized its governance. However, it also acknowledges certain aspects that raise questions regarding the Republic's democratic nature.

Read More
989 Words | 4 Pages

The creation of the Senate allowed for the government to be run by elected officials, who could represent the interests of the citizens and make decisions that were in the best interest of the empire. Additionally, the use of law and order maintained stability and allowed for the empire to flourish. The Roman legal system was renowned for its fairness and efficiency, which helped to promote a sense of justice and stability throughout the

Read More
539 Words | 3 Pages

The plebeians were the class of the Rome mainly Latin people who worked hard for the establishment of the Rome Republic by throwing the kingship, discriminated by the patricians initially. Generally, at the meantime, the plebeians were poor people surrounded by the debt. If the debt is not paid to the creditor, they are supposed for imprison or work as a slave for the creditor. Additionally, the plebeians were able to vote in the "comitia centuriata", but they were not permitted to hold a new office nor they had the permission to sit in the Senate. If someone of the plebeians' class goes to serve the army, their families were driven away and their property was destroyed.

Read More
1258 Words | 6 Pages

The Roman Republic was a great idea but poorly executed. The Republic was a idea by early Romans which help make a blueprint of democratic government. The Romans made Three branches of the government: Consuls, Senate, and the assembly. The Console branch was split in two people who served a one year term they were elected by the assembly. The Senate Branch there were 300 patricians and they served for life.

Read More
1669 Words | 7 Pages

For example, only a member of the elites could hold an all-important consulship. The plebeians lacked any real representation in this early system as policy was dictated by the elites. The result was an untenable situation that was defined as the “Struggle of the Orders.” The political dominance of the patricians would be challenged by the plebeians during the First Secession of the Plebs.

Read More

More about How Did The Plebeians Contribute To The Formation Of The Roman Republic

Open Document