Unit 2 07 Elements of Roman Government Chart

							                        Government of the Early Roman Republic

           Executive                                               Legislative
2 consuls (replaced by 1 dictator –    Senate (senex meant elder,      assemblies (included the assembly
  in case of emergencies – for no      so the Senate was really a           of centurie)=soldiers)
   more than 6 months at a time)            council of elders)
                                                                       tribunes (represented plebeians)
{Eventually, the plebeians will have
 Tribunes elected to the executive
branch by the Tribunal Assembly of
               plebs.}

Duties:                                Duties:                        Duties:

directed government and army           controlled state finances      assemblies approved laws proposed
(though lost a bit of this power as    and foreign policy             by Senate (especially as related to
Rome grew)                                                            domestic policy), elected consuls
                                       could issue decrees (orders    and possessed judicial powers
oversaw judges (praetors) and          having the force of law)
record keepers (censors—               and propose legislation to     tribunes got veto power and were
controlled finance distribution)       the assemblies                 allowed to propose legislation to
                                                                      the Senate
could issue edicts (laws) &            appointed provincial
enforced laws passed by assemblies     governors of far-away
and decrees issued by Senate           lands (thus exercising
                                       much power in regard to
acted as diplomats in negotiations     foreign policy)
with foreigners
                                       advised consuls and
acted as priests                       allowed consuls to
                                       nominate dictators

Basis of power:                        Basis of power:                Basis of power:

possessed imperium (the right to       members of the Senate          “the people” – embodied by the
rule)                                  were patricians and they       assemblies and the tribunes –
                                       served for life                provided most of Rome’s soldiers
Rome needed leadership

Limits on power:                       Limits on power:               Limits on power:

one year terms                         did not control army           neither assemblies nor tribunes
                                                                      controlled Roman finances
citizens could appeal popular          consuls alternated as
assembly on cases of capital           presidents of the Senate
punishment

each could veto the other consul



            Adapted from: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/rome-balance.html