Roman Republic Test

Question 1

Social Class

Answer 1

A group that’s fairly similar in terms of wealth, education, power, and prestige within a society.

Question 2

Social Status

Answer 2

Someone’s importance within society when compared to others.

Question 3

Factors that historically have impacted social status

Answer 3

1. Wealth
2. Family/Heritage
3. Prestige/Fame
4. Race
5. Ethnicity
6. Gender/Sex

Question 4

Patricians

Answer 4

The wealthy, aristocratic class in Rome who held the majority of land and political power.

Question 5

Plebeians

Answer 5

Rome’s largest social class. The poor and working class in Rome who only held a small amount of land and originally had no political power but who did have some citizenship rights.

Question 6

Equestrians

Answer 6

The Roman “middle” class. Made up of individuals who were merchants, bankers, and military officers. Owned some wealth and land.

Question 7

Freed men

Answer 7

Former slaves who had gained their freedom but were not considered citizens of Rome.

Question 8

Republic

Answer 8

A representative democracy

Question 9

Consuls

Answer 9

Two individuals in charge of the executive branch in the Roman Republic. Acted as the head of the government, commanded the army, and could veto or approve laws passed by the legislative branch.

Question 10

Conflict of the Orders

Answer 10

A series of struggles in which Plebeians threatened to use the tactic of secession if Patricians did not improve society. The result was the creation of the Twelve Tables and inclusion of Plebeians as part of the Roman government.

Question 11

Plebeian Secession

Answer 11

When Plebeians threatened to leave Rome en masse to force Patricians to improve Roman society.

Question 12

The Twelve Tables

Answer 12

The first written set of laws in Rome, created as a result of the Conflict of the Orders.

Question 13

Structure of the United States government

Answer 13

• Government is divided into federal, state, and local levels. Rights and structure of government are laid out in the US Constitution.
• Legislative Branch - Consists of Congress, which is broken up into two parts (Senate and House of Representatives). In charge of creating laws.
• Executive Branch - Consists of multiple departments and agencies but is led by the President of the United States. Responsible for enforcing laws.
• Judicial Branch - Consists of Courts, with the most important being the Supreme Court. Hears court cases and interprets laws.

Question 14

Structure of the Roman Republic

Answer 14

• Government is centralized in Rome. Laws/rights are laid out in the Twelve Tables
• Executive Branch - Run by two Consuls. These two commanded the army and could veto laws passed by the legislative branch. Also contains the Tribune, who was elected by the Plebeians and could also veto laws.
• Legislative Branch - Created and voted on laws. Made up of two parts: The Senate, which was made up of elected Patricians, and the Assembly, which was made up of elected Plebeians.
• Judicial Branch - Oversaw the courts and governed Roman provinces (or states). Run by a group known as Praetors who were elected by the people.

Question 15

How Patricians mistreated Plebeians before the Conflict of the Orders

Answer 15

1. Used government power to take land from Plebeians
2. Drove Plebeians into debt and enslaved Plebeians who could not pay off that debt
3. Ensured that the courts always ruled in favor of Patricians
4. Kept the vast majority of riches obtained from military victories