1. 133-88 Background (contextual)

Question 1

What are the origins of the Senate and its constitutional purpose?

Answer 1

• In theory the Senate only exists to advise, however, in practise it is the governing body
• Could not make laws but could pass decrees
• Allocated funds to censors and directed activities of priesthoods and magistrates
• Made to protect the constitution and advise the plebeian Assembly + tributes

Question 2

What was the Cursus Honorem? What was the order and function of each role

Answer 2

• The order of one’s political career and specifying the minimum age requirement for the positions
• first, quaestors min. age 30, the deputies to provincial governors
• second, aediles (min. age 36) in charge of public issues (buildings and food supply)
• third, praetor (39) presides over law courts and assemblies, after go on to be governor
• Highest rung: consul (min. age 42), can only rule for 1 year with a partner. They preside over senatorial debate (very powerful)

Question 3

Why is it bad if someone takes on a senatorial role before they meet the requirements?

Answer 3

Unconstitutional and unqualified, you must be the minimum age to have experience and you must leave 2 years in between each command to ensure you don’t become too greedy and take over the Republic

Question 4

What were the powers of the magistrates and where were they vested?

Answer 4

• power restricted, only 1 year and with colleague
• also worked with 10 tribunes (sacrosanct to harm them, power to veto laws)
• Commitia Centuriata, senior magistrates could be elected (only open to plebeians but upper class could be adopted to achieve role)

Question 5

Powers of the Roman Assemblies (4)

Answer 5

1. Comitia Centuriata, people voted in their military centuries. Elected magistrates and decided on war (also court of appeal for capitol court cases)
2. Comitia Tributa, people voted in their tribes. Elected lesser magistrates, passed bills and court of appeal for lesser cases
3. Comitia Curiata, voted in curiae (citizen group), looked at social and religious
4. Concilium Plebis, made up only of plebeians, made decisions which bound all citizens, elected tribunes and the plebeian aediles (arguably most important assembly)

Question 6

What were the law courts of Rome like? How were they used in the Late Republic

Answer 6

• Law was private, there was no police force it was up to victims to bring accused to court
• Rich patrons could represent upper clients while the poor had little protection
• Provincial extortion, murder/poisoning, violence and treason and fraud
• Clodius + gang made use of the courts frequenty for political purposes, see case of Rabirius, Veres and Milo