Below are the notes we took in class 

Patricians
Rule of Kings is replaced by rule of two consuls
-Consuls are elected officials
-Term of office: one year
-Always aristocrats (patricians)
-Patricians traced their descent from a famous ancestor or “pater” (father)
-Duties: dealing justice, making law, commanding the army
-One consul could veto the other (reducing the power of the individual)
Plebeians
-Fifth century BCE – Patrician dominance of the government was challenged by the plebs (“people”)
-Plebs were 98% of the population
-How did the Patricians dominate?
            -Plebs had to serve in the army
            -But could not hold office
            -Plebs were threatened with debt slavery
            -Plebs had no legal rights
-Plebs were victims of discriminatory decisions in judicial trials
-Rome had no actual laws, just unwritten customs
-Patricians cold interpret these to their own advantage
So, plebs refused to serve in the military until…
-Laws were written out – The Law of the Twelve Tables
-These laws (on tablets) were posted in public (in 450 BCE)
-Tribunes “tribal leaders” were elected
SPQR – Senatus Populusque Romanum
-Designates any decree or decision made by “the Roman Senate and People”
Res publica – the people’s affairs
Brand new republic, ready to run
-Democracy (the people’s assembly and the tribunes)
-Aristocracy (the Senate – approx. 300 members)
-Plus monarchy (the Consuls)
-Not a tyranny
Gov’t. : ancient Roman/ USA
-Originally, the US modeled their new government on the model used by the ancient Romans
-Not exactly the same

-But both have 3 branches of government
            -Executive
            -Legislative
            -Judicial
-And both have a legal code
3 branches (1) – Rome/USA

Rome
-Executive
            -Two consuls
            -One-year terms
            -Each has veto power
            -Controls the military
            -Could appoint a dictator in a crisis for a six-month term

USA
-Executive
            -President (and VP)
            -Four-year terms
            -Can veto proposed laws
            -Commander in Chief
3 branches (2) – Rome/USA

Rome
-Legislative
            -Senate – 300 people – aristocrats – members for life
            -Assemblies

USA
-Legislative
            -Senate – 100 senates (two from each state) six-year terms
            -House of Representatives – 435 members
3 branches (3) – Rome/USA

Rome
-Judicial
            -Praetors
            -Chosen by the Centuriate Assembly
            -One-year terms

USA
-Judicial
            -Supreme Court
            -Nine members
            -Appointment by the president, confirmed by the Senate
-Lifetime terms

Legal Code – Rome/USA

Rome
-Twelve Tables
-Publically displayed
-Gave rights to plebeians, not just aristocrats
-Only protected free – born male citizens (not women)

USA
-Bill of Rights
-First ten amendments to Constitution