Roman Republic

The Roman republic began in 509 BC after the Romans rebelled against the Etruscan's. The early roman republic was divided into the patricians and the plebeians. Patricians and plebeians where both citizens, however patricians where the wealthier class and could hold more government positions, while plebeians, the lower class, could not Mary a patrician, and could not hold office. The top roman officials where called consuls, two consuls where elected every two years. They controlled the army and ran the government. They could veto each others decision. Praetors interpreted the laws and acted as judges in court cases. Romes legislative body was the senate, a group of 300 patrician men that served for life. By 200 BC the senate could propose laws, hold debates on issues, and approve building programs. In 471 BC the counsel of the Plebs was set up by the plebeians to give them power in government.