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.
I believe the plebeians were important to Rome for a few reason. The plebeians were instrumental in the war and in the army’s numbers to defend Rome for being taken by its enemies or the nearby Latium towns. Also I would think that them being the working class, that their taxes were important to the city. Plebeians could be observed as the working class or commoners who lived outside of the walls of the city (Morey, 1901).Their only rights after the abolishment of the kingship was the right to vote and the right to property/contract.
Patricians were landowners and plebeians were citizens but not landowners. Patricians would vote for senate, who had law making powers. Plebeians elected the assembly, who had advisory power. In the U.S. everyone over 18 is able to vote, whether you are a landowner or not.
Slaves served a variety of functions. They are farmers, miners, domestic servants, entertainers and even teachers…unlike slaves of Greece, a Roman slave lived in a unique society: he could earn or buy his freedom…and enjoy the benefits of citizenship, gaining wealth and power.” This pushed the Roman Republic's democracy farther and made it more open to anyone. However, “The most fundamental of all rights of the people was, however, the fact that they, and they
When the political and economic institutions became more extractive, the city began to experience economic decline. Similarly, as in Venice, Roman political institutions had pluralistic elements. The Plebeians formed their own assembly, which could elect the plebeian tribunes—a governing body having the power to veto actions by the magistrates, calling the Plebeian Assembly, and proposing legislation. Their political and legal protection created economic opportunities for citizens and helped to develop
The citizens would elect Praetors, these were judges that ruled in the judicial branch and would be voted for each year(AR). Usually only the wealthy Praetors would be elected leaving out the middle and lower class citizens of Rome(AR).Today in The U.S., people can vote on issues that are addressed within America and are also able to vote on who is elected as the president no matter what financial state they are in. In Rome, the lower class citizens also known as the plebeians, were forced into the army and were furious at the fact that
The Romans were responsible for meeting the common good of the people of Rome, and I’ll grade them according to the five indicators of meeting the common good. I believe that the Roman Republic performed a good job when providing public services, and meeting the common good. The first reason why I believe the Roman Republic met the common good is, there were public baths that patricians and plebeians could all use. Baths were free, or very reasonably priced.
Assignment Unit 4 In Rome there were two orders: the plebeians and the patricians. Even if they were living in the same city, they had many differences in terms of rights, wealth and in almost every aspects of life. Those disparities will lead plebeian to the first revolt of secession resulting in having some changes in the roman society.
Throughout life, humans acquire specific traits or personality type depending on the circumstances they must live with. Although difficult situations are thought of as being unfavorable, they often bring about individuals most admirable qualities. The Roman poet Horace makes this point by saying, “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” By this he means that people often have hidden qualities which only emerge in harsh conditions. These qualities or talents, which are usually buried deep within the individual must develop in order to allow the individual to move past the current obstacle.
However, just as Flavius and Murellus indicated, these people were fickle, and a majority of their decisions and actions that they took were influenced by the leaders. Despite this, the plebeians are further seen to largely contribute to the successes of various military
The purpose of this paper is to examine how the differences between the plebeians and the patricians in the early part of Rome’s history caused dissention and eventually led the plebeians to rise up against the patricians. These differences included both economic and political inequalities and the struggles of the plebeians against these inequalities led to many reforms that helped to equalize the status of the two classes. Discussion The first difference highlighted by Morey is the different economic standing of the two classes, especially after the ouster of Rome’s kings (Morey, n.d.). Patricians were generally wealthy city-dwellers whose property was protected during the wars by both city walls and by the plebian army.
As working class citizen, the Plebeians were of utmost importance to Rome. They were the farmers, the bakers, laborers, craftsmen, and soldiers of the day. They were hardworking supporters of their family and more importantly taxpayers and loan recipients. The Patricians were the wealthy elite that hired the Plebeians to do the laborious task and clothe, feed and provide for the needs of the upper class. While relatively powerless in Rome, the Plebeians were large in number.
Patricians are the higher class and they are wealthy. Also, they are the only ones allowed to be in the government. Their percentage of the population is a small junk of Rome. To be a patrician, you had to have been given birth by a patrician. Now the plebeian on the other hand is every other person in Rome.
Greeks became skilled people and traders. Retaining a plentitude of raw materials for construction. They built some of the most impressive structures in history. Mountains were a big thing but mostly a negative effect on this civilization for agriculture. The Seas were also a very big thing and had a great positive effect on this civilization for food and trading.
Ancient Rome had a well organized government that had many purposes that helped them create an amazing civilization. I studied 5 difference purposes of government to learn more about Ancient Rome. Those were the following: public services, protect rights, rule of law, prepare for a common defense, and support the economic system. The Roman Republic had amazing features.
