roman_republic

**Introduction**

 * When it started:** The Roman [|Republic] was established in 509 B.C. It was named after respublica, which means the thing that belongs to the people. The Roman Republic was the first republic ever to be made.
 * When it ended:** The Republic would soon come to an end, because [|Julius Caesar] was pronounced [|dictator] of Rome. In an act to save the Republic, the [|senators] of Rome killed Caesar in 44 B.C. This caused immense chaos for a long time. Unfortunately, [|Octavian], Caesar’s nephew and adopted son, came to power in 27 B.C, thus ending the republic in 31 B.C. and starting an [|empire].

What Makes Up the Republic?

 * Two Consuls:** The republic’s two consuls had all the ruling power over Rome. They could do everything a dictator could. However, one consul may veto, cancel, another’s choice, so the two consuls had to agree with each other.
 * Quaestores:** The quaestores had a very important job, they had to take care of and manage the city’s money.
 * Aediles**: Aediles in Rome were in charge of the public buildings all around Rome. They had to make sure that people would use these buildings, in other words making sure nothing was wrong with them.
 * Censors:** Another important job would be that of the censors. They had to collect taxes from all citizens that had to pay. Without the censors, the republic might not have had enough money to build all the beautiful buildings we see today.
 * Two Praetors:** Finally there are two praetors in the Republic. Praetors were in charge of court cases. One of the praetors had to deal with the [|foreigners]; the other had to take care of trials.

Citizens

 * Plebeians:** Plebeians were the common [|folk] of Rome. They were the fishermen, the merchants, and all the families who were not part of the Senate or patricians.
 * Patricians:** The patricians were the people who declared that they were [|descendants] of the first few tribes of Rome. They also had the right to veto acts. Less than five percent of the population of Rome were patricians.

Events Throughout the Republic

 * Etruscans Conquer:** In 600 B.C., the Etruscans, one of Rome’s rival cities, conquered Rome. The Etruscan kings were [|ruthless] and their rules were not pleasant. The Romans grew to hate them.
 * Etruscans Forced Out:** After almost 90 years, in 509 B.C., the Romans finally forced the Etruscans and their kings out and built the Republic of Rome. The Republic made sure that no one man would have full power of Rome.
 * Plebeians On Strike:** The plebeians soon got sick of the way they were treated, and threatened to leave the city to build their own. The patricians grew worried and gave the plebeians more rights. Even one of the consuls was to be a plebeian!
 * Julius Caesar:** Caesar was declared the first dictator when the Republic could not handle the huge empire. The senators grew worried and angry since Caesar was declared Dictator for Life. They [|assassinated] him, hoping to[| restore] the republic to its former place. Their decision was [|futile], because Caesar’s nephew and adopted son, Octavian, was declared the next emperor.

//1st Pic:Map of Republic; 2nd Pic: Etruscans of War// 1st [|Source] ; 2nd [|Source]

Works Cited

“ancient Rome.” Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 31 Oct. 2007 <[|http://britannicaschool.eb.com/all/elementary/article?articleId=353728>.]

“democracy.” Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 30 Oct. 2007 <[|http://britannicaschool.eb.com/all/comptons/article-234175>.]

“Rome.” Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 30 Oct. 2007 <[|http://britannicaschool.eb.com/all/elementary/article?articleId=346012>.]

By Daryl