HIST 10800 Lecture 3: Roman Republic
Document Summary
A republic is a form of government in which citizens are allowed the power to vote for their leaders. This right was granted to free-born male citizens. The republic mixed monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. Patricians were wealthy landowners, who held the majority of rome"s power. They inherited power and social status claimed ancestry gained authority. Plebeians consisted of farmers, artisans, and merchants, making up the majority of the. Struggled for authority with plebeians allowed to vote, but prevented from important government positions. Later, they were allowed to form their own assembly/elect tribunes in order to protect plebeians from unfair treatment by patrician officials. Legions were large military units in which roman soldiers organized. Consisted of an infantry of about 5,000 armed foot soldiers, a cavalry including soldiers on horseback divided into smaller groups of 80 men, called centuries. Military organization and fighting skill of the army contributed to rome"s rise as a republic.
