Roman Republic Research Paper

Will Swanson

2/9/15

Hour 6

Research Report

Roman Republic

Henry James Sumner Maine said, "The most superficial student of Roman history must be

struck by the extraordinary degree in which the fortunes of the republic were affected by the

presence of foreigners, under different names, on her soil." After Rome completed it's conquest

of Italy, it established itself as a tremendous power of the ancient world. The republic of Rome is

believed to have begun in the year 509 BC. This followed the overthrowing of Lucius Tarquinius

Superbus, the last of the seven major kings. This overthrow left Rome without a king, and

instead of gaining another king, they decided to add two annually elected magistrates called

consuls.

These consuls were officials chosen by a government to live in an unknown city to protect

and promote the government's citizens and interests there.

These consuls were elected by the

Senate and were also elected by the people in Comitia Centuriata. The consuls were on office

for only a year, and they had power to overrule the other's decisions. Consuls were mostly

known as the heads of state. The consuls were in charge of the army, had power of foreign

affairs, and presided over the Senate. Consular authority was limited over the years. After 367

BC, at least one of the consuls had to become a plebeian. When their terms were done, they

would usually become a governor or have some part in the government.

The next official were praetors. Pratetors were either commanders of the army, or

magistrates. They were also in charge of the production of the public games. Also, when the

consuls were absent they were the next to step in and be in charge. At first, there was only one

praetor who handled matters of equity with the Roman citizens. A second praetor was added to

handle problems when one or two parties were foreigners. The number of praetors kept being

added by twos after that, where there ended up being eight total. Two were in charge of civil

matters ad the other six were assigned to specific

courts.

The next in charge after that were known as aediles. These leaders originally were in

charge of the temple and cult of Ceres. The jobs of the aediles included the care of the city

; which meant repair of the temples,buildings, streets, sewers, and many more. Second, the

cost of items in provision markets and selling of grain.

Lastly, they were in charge of making the

games fun for the people. In the beginning, they were two officials of the plebeians. In 366 BC

, the curile aediles were formed where they became higher in government. The aediles were

recorded as officials in associations and clubs.

Quaestors were the next in line. They were the lowest ranked magistrate in the Roman

Empire. Their main responsibility was the treasury. In a period known as the royal period, the

kings appointed quaestors known as judicial quaestors. These judicial quaestors were in charge

of the murder crimes. After each year, a quaestor was elected each year by the tribal assembly.

As time went on, they were given responsibilities for raising taxes and getting recruits from

areas that were just conquered by Rome.

There was a line of leaders before Julius Caesar came into power. One them included

Brutus, who was traditionally one of the first consuls. He was then succeeded by Spurius

Lucretius Tricipitinus, Publius Valerius Publicola, and many others. When Julius Caesar came

into rule, he was declared dictator for life. This Roman general turned this Roman Republic

into

the powerful Roman Empire that it was well-known for. Caesar pushed all the enemies out of

Italy and pushed Pompey into Egypt where've was eventually killed. These major signs of a

great ruler made the decision of declaring Julius Caesar dictator for life.

The Roman Empire would not have been so successful without each of these parts to the

government. Everyone had their specific role that led to their great future. This Roman Republic

was adopted by the United States. It was very important to the U.S. and helped them start their

very own government. The Roman Republic contributed to many of the great historic events and

played a major role that led to all of what Rome has.