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Democracy through the Roman republic
Democracy through the Roman republic
Democracy through the Roman republic
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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.
They had all the control over the religion and the government. The plebeians were everybody that wasn’t a Patrician. They had little to no voice throughout imperial Rome’s history. In both classes the oldest male was the head of the families. Women had no rights during this time and the people were Christian.
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.
At this time it didn't matter about the division in society, “Even the poorest of Roman citizens, the proletarii, were still represented.” They used to not look down on the poor, but they used them to become a stronger and more productive community. Although they were fairly democratic in the beginning, whenever they expanded, it slowly began to change. “Once Roman territory had expanded…it was mostly the well-to-do rural voter and their clients who could afford the time and expense to come to Rome.” (Document C)
This shift was not in the form of a sudden revolution, and rather grew as a gradual switch from a monarchy previously under the Etruscans. The republic stood for liberty and extended citizenship of the people. In the Roman republic, the people chose officials to represent their interests. Dominating the government was a senate that was primarily made up of the wealthy, landholding class, known as patricians. This outraged the lower class plebeians, who later gained power and elected their own officials.
Like all societies with inequality, this issue was the center of the conflicts that existed. The population was divided in two: those of the upper class and those of the lower class. The Upper-class was based on patricians, senators, and equestrians. The patricians were the descendants of the first founders and were the only ones accepted in the Senate, they practically monopolized the highest positions. The senators were part of Senate, were those Upper-class Romans who came from the royal and the Roman political families, they don't have jobs because they were responsible for governing others.
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
(n.d.). Roman slavery. United Nations of Roma Victrix History website. Retrieved on October 24, 2015 from http://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-slavery.php \The Roman Slave Economy Slavery had an immense impact on the
I was sitting in the middle of my room in the lotus pose, having accepted my death sentence. My eyes were shut, the blinds were shut, and the electronics were shut. The doors, however, were open. They marched in as I had expected - the sound of combat boots resonated first in my ears, and then came the sound of guns being dragged around, loaded with ammunition, and only then I heard the yelling. I opened my eyes to sight long overdue - military men in dark green camo outfits, crude faces chiseled by war, the badges of two crossed swords, guns, ready to fire.
Throughout history, many incredible civilizations have risen and fallen. Among them was Ancient Rome. The Roman Republic started in Italy in around 800 BC, and became a grand and powerful civilization. It was ruled by the people and they voted for leaders. Ancient Rome would go on to dominate much of the Mediterranean.
Brutus, Cassius and Mark Antony were aware of the fact that if the plebeians sided with them, they would hold all the power. Yet the plebeians were still ignorant of this fact. Although, they were unable to recognize the potential in their ability to unify. The possibilities that their unification could portray were endless
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.
A girl ran away from her house and was disowned by her family she ran away because she was forced to marry a guy she did not know. Romeo and Juliet is a play written by the famous William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet fall in love, however their families have a long term fight so they are enemies. Romeo and Juliet have to find a safe way to be with each other and for their families to stop fighting. In Romeo and Juliet your parents should not have a final say in whom you date.
Democracy in Ancient Rome Ancient Rome is often portrayed as a highly democratic society for the ancient world. After all, the United States’ government is modeled after some parts of the Roman’s structure of government. But,was Rome as democratic as is is commonly thought to be? Contrary to what people may think Rome’s democracy wasn't exactly so democratic for all of its citizens. One example of Rome’s confusing concept of democracy can be found in The Histories, which was written by the Greek historian Polybius in 119 BCE.
