answersLogoWhite

0

The Roman Republic was totally different that form Greek democracy, particularly that of Athens. Rome was an oligarchy, not a democracy.

To the Greeks democracy literally mean power by the people. All the decisions were made by the citizens who voted directly in the Assembly of the People. It was this body which held power. The executive was not a holder of power and its job was to implement the will of the people.

Power in Rome was wielded by a patrician- rich plebeian oligarchy. The patricians were the aristocracy. The rich plebeians were originally rich commoners. However, when they were co-opted into the mentioned oligarchy they were given equite status. This was the second highest social order in Rome and was a bit like a lower tier of the aristocracy. The term plebeian then was restricted to the poor and middle income people who did not wield power.

All the offices of state were held by the patricians and the equites or by rich men moved to Rome from elsewhere in Italy or from Hispania. The senate, which was meant to be the advisory body of the consuls, the two heads of the republic, was effectively the most powerful political body. It was an unelected body and its members came from the patricians and the equites.

There was an element of democracy in Rome in that the officers of state were elected annually (apart from the censors whose office was 18 months). The Assembly of the Tribes (where all citizens voted) elected the junior ones (the aediles and the quaestors). The Assembly of the Soldiers elected the senior ones (consuls, praetors and censors). The Assembly of the Soldiers was hardly a democratic body as in its voting system the richer members voted first and the poorer one hardy aver had a chance to vote. The fact that this system was accepted shows that the Romans did not really have a democratic mind and that they accepted power differences within the social hierarchy.

Bills originally were proposed by the consuls for the vote of the Assembly of the Soldiers. Later, the plebeian tribunes, the representatives of the plebeians (they were not officers of state) became the main proposers of bills which were submitted to the vote of the Plebeian Council (the assembly of the plebeians). This was the most democratic element of the Roman system. However, when it challenged the privilege of the aristocracy, murder and hired thugs were used to suppress the plebeian tribunes.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about General History

Do you still have the roman alphabet?

Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.


Why do we consider the Greeks to have been foundational for our nation's government?

We are deluded into thinking that Greek democracy, which was direct democracy, is the same as our representative democracy.


How can you tell apart the Greek and Roman gods?

Basically, the only difference was their names, except for Apollo, who had the same name in both Greek and Roman mythology.


How many branches were in Rome's republic?

The ancient Roman republic had two branches-- the Senate and the Roman people. The magistrates and officials (consuls, praetors, tribune, etc.) were incorporated into the senate, while the votes of the people elected them to their various offices. The ancient Roman republic was not the same as our present day republics even through they are named the same.


Roman empire or greek empire which was first?

The Greek empire was before the Roman Empire.

Related Questions

How is democracy and republic the same?

They are not the same A Republic is operated under democratic principles, but Republics are not a democracy.


What is a government where elected officials represent a group of people called?

Generally speaking, a government where elected officials represent a group of people is called a democracy. This is not the same as Greek democracies.


Do you still have the roman alphabet?

Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.Yes, you're reading it right now. The Roman alphabet was the same as ours except it did not have the letters J and W. The letters Y and Z were added near the end of the republic to spell words of Greek origin.


What is greek an roman name for atlas?

it's the same as in greek


What is Pandora the Greek goddess Roman name?

Pandora's Roman name is the same as her Greek name.


Why do we consider the Greeks to have been foundational for our nation's government?

We are deluded into thinking that Greek democracy, which was direct democracy, is the same as our representative democracy.


How is a direct democracy and a republic the same?

The terms are not always the same. What is the same is this; in a democracy and in a republic, citizens have to the right to vote. In government, democracies do not exist. It would come down to the "mob rule" Greek definition. In a republic, on the other hand, elected officials carry out the policies thy believe are in the best interests of a nation. The parts of a republic are designed to protect citizens with a minority viewpoint by having various types of legislative, judicial and executive "parts" along with a written constitution. There are many forms of a republic. The example given is one of many types.


Is a republic better or is democracy better?

They both are pretty much the same thing


What power did roman greek god have?

They have the same power as there Greek counterparts.


What is Cerberus Roman name?

The Roman and Greek names were the same: Cerberus.


What is the Roman name for the styx?

The Greek name Styx, is the same as the Roman.


A republic and a representative democracy are basically the same true or false?

Yes They Are The Same! :) -Lil Javi