How was Rome's form of government different from Greece's democracy?

Answer 1

Greece had a number of different states with different political regimes. Greek model of democracy was the democracy of Athens.

The Athenians had a direct form of democracy. This means that instead of electing representatives (such as senators, congressmen of MPs) to make decisions, the citizens themselves voted on legislation by gathering in the Ecclesia, the popular assembly. They also made executive decrees and elected some of the public officials. Originally it also tried political crimes, but later this was transferred to the courts. Athens also had a boule (council) of 500 men (50 men for each Athenian tribe). It prepared draft resolutions for the Ecclesia to debate and vote on. Fifty members of the Boule were selected toform the prytaneis, an executive standing committee. A new chair of the prytaneis was selected by lot every day. The system was a check against personal power. The boule coordinated the activities of public officials and administrative boards, provided randomly selected members for the administrative boards. It had relative latitude in for administrative initiatives because it was supposed to merely execute the will of the Ecclesia.

Although it had limited forms of direct democracy, the Roman Republic was not actually a democracy. It was an oligarchy. It was effectively controlled by the senate. This was an unelected body composed by patricians (aristocrats) and former officers of state. It did not propose legislation or vote on it. It debated policy matters and issued policy instructions. It could also issue decrees. There was not a centralised government, like and admiration or a cabinet. There were five types of officers of state who acted independently within the remit of their offices and who were elected annually (except for the censor whose term of office was 18 months), including the consuls, two heads of the Republic. This turned the senate into a co-ordinating political body. The also senate supervised the treasury and the governors of the provinces (conquered territories) were selected among the senators.

The Romans Republic had three Popular Assemblies. The Assembly of the Soldiers voted on war and peace and elected the higher officers of state (the consuls, praetors and censors). However, its voting system was heavily stacked in favour of the rich. The Assembly of the Tribes elected the lower officers of state the aediles and quaestors). The Plebeian Council was the assembly of the plebeians (the commoners). It was created during a plebeian rebellion. Originally it voted only on matters which regarded only the plebeians. Later it became the main legislative body and the laws it approved became binding on all Roman citizens (including the patricians).

Answer 2

Republics have leaders that are, effectively, autocratic, whereas democracies are bound to carry out the will of the people.

Greece is called 'the cradle of democracy' but their democracy only lasted 1000 years.