Unit two: The Roman Republic Flashcards
(46 cards)
Patricians
Upper class of the Republic; a collection of Elite families who hold seats in the senate.
Plebeians
Everyone in Rome besides the Patricians; treated poorly for early Republic history despite some being very wealthy and influential.
Clients
A Roman citizen who had responsibility given to them by a Roman government official in exchange for protection from the Roman official.
Consul
Two elected officials who were responsible for making laws; they were elected for one year each.
Tribunes of the Plebs (Tribuni Plebis)
Officers of the Plebs; in charge of defending plebs’ property and human rights.
Imperium
The power to carry out Roman law and military affairs, this power was given to all Roman government officials (Ex; dictator).
Veto (intercessio)
The ability to say no to a law proposed by another magistrate of equal or lower standing.
Sacrosanctitas
The declaration of an object, place, etc. to be unbreakable because it is sacred.
Praetor
A third colleague who worked alongside the consuls (after the Lextian - Sextian laws were passed) who had imperium.
Provocatio
The right given to Roman citizens to appeal against the actions of the magistracy.
Dictator
A patrician that can come into power during a “crisis” and pass whatever laws they want to.
Secession
Emigration of Rome, most often by poorly treated plebs.
Pontifex Maximus
The highest ranking religious official in Rome.
Cursus Honorum
The prerequisites required before gaining political power.
1. Serve in the Military
2. Have been an Praetor
Comitia Curiata
Election court, 30 lawmakers divided evenly between 3 regions each with a leader
Comitia Centuriata
Hundred elections; elections for consuls, praetors, censors as well as war and peace treaties, all Roman citizens could vote.
Comitia Tributa
35 tribes all of which oversaw monetary punishments; crimes punishable by fines
Concilium Plebis
35 tribes made up of Plebians, was created in 287 BCE to give Plebians power in the government.
Plebiseita
A law that was passed by the plebians in the magistry.
The Expansion of Rome/ Conquest of Italy (3 stages)
- Establishment of Rome, Capture of Veii, and Latin league
- Samnite Wars + Latin war
- Reduction of Etrusca and Southern Italy
Laws of the 12 tables
A public display of the rights that each Roman citizen had.
Lincian-Sextian Laws
Allowed plebs to vote and hold power in office.
Struggle of the orders: Key Chronology
Begining: plebs are dirt boo
middle: spurius maleius you can marry the dirt now
end: lincian sextian laws ig your not dirt anymore so yay
In the beginning: Only patrician rule, plebs are seen as dirt and not worthy enough to be in government, middle: Pleb and Patrician marriage allowed, Spurius Maelius affair, end: Lincian - Sextian laws, Lex Hortensia allows plebs to enforce law and be a part of the government.
Spurius Maelius Affair
Plebian who tried to gain power by feeding others during a famine. Was executed because Patricians; A) didn’t want a pleb in office, and B) thought he wanted to overthrow the government and become king. Used as an example to Plebs to scare them into “staying in their place”.