Chapter 5: Roman Civilization
Research Topics
Political Institutions of the Roman Republic
What are the major characteristics of Roman political institutions during the age of the Roman Republic?
One of the enduring legacies of the Roman world was their system of law and republican form of government. At the founding of the Republic, Roman society was split between wealthy patricians and the less-wealthy but far more numerous plebeians. How the Romans worked out their difficulties during the "Struggle of the Orders" and the subsequent "Roman revolution" reveals that the Romans embraced a policy of compromise and assimilation, at least until the reign of Augustus Caesar.
What are the major characteristics of Roman political institutions during the age of the Roman Republic?
One of the enduring legacies of the Roman world was their system of law and republican form of government. At the founding of the Republic, Roman society was split between wealthy patricians and the less-wealthy but far more numerous plebeians. How the Romans worked out their difficulties during the "Struggle of the Orders" and the subsequent "Roman revolution" reveals that the Romans embraced a policy of compromise and assimilation, at least until the reign of Augustus Caesar.
- The Laws of the Twelve Tables (c. 450 B.C.E.)
The Laws of the Twelve Tables established specific political rights for Roman plebeians during the Struggle of the Orders. - The Canuleian Law (445 B.C.E)
An important piece of legislation, the Canuleian law legalized marriages between patricians and plebeians. - An Analysis of Roman Government, Polybius (c. 2nd century B.C.E.)
The Greek historian Polybius (c. 203-120 B.C.E.) wrote extensively on the Roman world during the period 220-146. - On the Graachi, Appian (c. 2nd century C.E.)
Tiberius and Gaius Graachus were Tribunes of the people who were killed by their adversaries for daring to suggest a return to earlier republican ideals. - On the Best Form of Government, Cicero (c. 1st century B.C.E.)
One of the Republic's greatest orators, Cicero (106-43 B.C.E.) was a champion of the lost days of the Republic. - On the Laws, Cicero (c. 1st century B.C.E.)
Cicero championed the idea of moral principles with which the government must comply. - The Conspiracy of Catiline, Sallust (c. 1st century B.C.E.)
Troubled by the moral decline of Rome, the Roman historian Sallust (86-34 B.C.E.) describes the conspiracy of Catiline.
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