The Roman Empire

• The Romans borrowed directly from the Greeks
• At first they were ruled by a king who was advised by a council of elders called the Senate. The Senate was chosen from a group of patricians, appointed by the king. 
• Patricians- "men with fathers" meaning men who were born into a ruling family 
• Around 500 BC monarchy was abolished, replaced by a republic, its Latin routes meaning "people's business". It was a mixture of an oligarchy and a democracy. 
• Plebeians- common people 
• Consuls (colleagues) held military and government power. They had a year-long term, after which they chose their successors. There were two of them in power at all times, so as to veto one another
• Dictator- someone who in a state of emergency, could be appointed by the consul to have full decision making power for a maximum of six months. 
• Before the 5th century BC no laws were officially written down, but were passed down orally 
• In 450 BC the Roman laws were engraved on twelve slabs of wood or bronze called the "Twelve Tables" and mounted in the public square for all to see. 
• Plebeians began electing their own magistrates called tribunes. These tribunes could initiate and veto laws. 
• By 250 BC the plebeians had all the same rights as the patricians. 
• Client- less wealthy citizen who were protected and paid by a rich patron in return for personal services and campaigning.
• The Romans believed that the prosperity of their community depended on the gods or goddesses. 
• Pontiffs- a group of priests who were responsible for maintaining the "peace of gods"