Lesson 2: The Roman Republic

In 509 BCE the Romans overthrew their king and established the Roman Republic. The Republic was a form of government in which the leader and other officials were elected by the citizens.

Republican government had many offices:

• Senate: The Senate was the law-making body in Ancient Rome. Members of the Senate were chosen for life.

• Consul: From the Senate, two men known as Consuls were elected to head the Roman government and to command the army. Consuls were elected for a one-year term, with each Consul ruling for a month at a time. Each Consul could veto (overrule) the act of the other even when it was not his month to govern. If they could not come to an agreement, or in times of crisis, the Senate could choose one of the Consuls to act as dictator for six months. During this time he possessed absolute control over Rome.
  

• Quaestor: The Consuls appointed other men, called Quaestors, to look after the finances of the Roman Republic. Later, these Quaestors were elected by the Senate.
  

• Censor: The Censor was the registrar of Rome. He and his staff compiled lists of all Roman citizens, recording their name, age, ancestry, families, wealth, as well as which one of the three tribes of Rome they belonged to.
  

• Praetor: The Praetor was the chief law officer and the chief judge in Rome.
  

• Aedile:The Aedile was in charge of the public works, temples and markets. He also oversaw the organization of festivals and games.

Check Your Knowledge Activity 2:
Roman vs. Canadian Government

Send In Activity 2:
Class Warfare in the Roman Republic