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The Roman Constitution is typically seen as an example of mixed government because it included elements of both democracy (rule by the people), aristocracy (rule by a few aristocrats), and monarchy (rule by one person). The monarchical element was embodied in the two Consuls, who ruled side by side for one year terms. They (and lesser elected officials) possessed a wide variety of powers, particularly over foreign affairs, and Consuls served as army generals during and sometimes after their term of office. The Senate forms the aristocratic element, as it was formed from the ruling Patrician class in Roman society. Although it possessed no formal power, it controlled much of the day to day working of the city of Rome, including the treasury. It also issued "advice" called senatus consulta; these were usually obeyed by the consuls. The legislative assemblies formed the democratic element in the Roman government. The people would gather in several different assemblies to elect officials (such as consuls), vote on legislation (this was pretty rare), and operate judicial trials. Rome could not go to war, for example, without a vote by one of the assemblies. The three elements were bound together by many different checks and balances, mostly traditional and customary rather than formal or written. These checks and balances prevented one body or person from taking all the power. The Romans had great respect for tradition, which is why the Senate was the primary ruling body in the Republic despite the fact that it did not possess official powers. Many historians believe that the Roman constitution held together for so long mostly because of respect for tradition; near the end of the Republic, the lack of a written constitution (along with other factors) aided the disintegration of the state and the transition to a monarchical Empire.

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15y ago

Because not all inhabitants of Rome had the right to vote, especially women, slaves and men without civil (municipian) rights.

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Q: Why was the Roman Republic considered to have a mixed form of government rather than a democracy?
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Which government preceded did the roman republic pass on to future civilizations?

The phrasing is unclear. The form of government which preceded the Roman Republic was the Roman Monarchy. The Republic was followed by rule by emperors. However, the Republic did not pass this on to future civilisations because: 1) it was the collapse of the Republic, rather than some sort of handover; 2) no future civilisation tried to replicate Rome's period of rule by emperors or, for that matter, the Roman Monarchy.


How did the Romans republic the exhibit qualities of 3 forms of government?

The idea of the Republic having qualities of three forms of government came from Polybius' use of the political theory of Greek philosopher Aristotle. Aristotle said that different states had different constitutions (political systems) which were: monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy and democracy. Monarchy was rule by a king, oligarchy was rule by the rich, aristocracy was rule by the excellent (determined by qualities and abilities rather than just wealth) and democracy was rule by the people. Aristotle also talked about what he called a mixed constitution, which combined elements of various kinds of constitutions.Ancient Greek scholar Polybius argued that the Roman Republic was a mixed constitution. He thought the consuls (the two annually elected heads of the city and the army) were like a monarchy, the senate was an aristocracy (its members were not elected and were drafted for among the aristocrats, and the popular assembly (which voted on bills) provided an element of democracy. This created a situation of checks and balances in which the three elements of the constitution checked the power of the others and balanced the weaknesses of the others.Aristotle though that in a single constitution there were dangers that it could degenerate into a 'perverted' constitution: Monarchy could degenerate into tyranny, aristocracy could degenerate into oligarchy (were power was used solely in the interest of the rich, ignoring the plight of the poor) and democracy could degenerate into anarchy. A mixed constitution provided safeguards against these degenerations.It has to be noted that: a) this was an ancient Greek theory, 2) in the case of the Roman Republic, this applied to the whole of the political system and not exclusively to the government which was the annual rule by the two annually elected consuls.


Why did a group known as theologians arise during the Roman Empire rather than the Roman Republic?

i dont f***** know, i am the one asking this question


When the Roman republic changed into the Roman empire how did the government change?

The Roman aristocracy became obsessed with individual power, and their contests descended from political rivalry to civil war. After failed attempts by Sulla and Julius Caesar to use dictatorial power to restrain the infightiing, Augustus established a partnership with the Senate, and kept reserve powers to ensure that he had both over-riding control, and control of the army to enforce it as necessary.


What event caused the patricians to change the Roman government?

The patricians changing the form of government refers to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the republic. The Romans overthrew the last king, Taquinius Superbus, in a rebellion because he was a tyrant. They decided to do away with the monarchy to prevent the return of tyranny. This was the function of the Roman Republic. The king was replaced by two annually elected consuls. Having two men in charge meant that they could counterbalance each other. The short term of office ensured that no one could concentrate power in their hands. That the king was overthrown by the patrician aristocracy is an assumption, rather than a proven fact. Not enough is known about the events for this to be an established fact. For example, the leader of the revolt and the mastermind of the creation of the republic, Lucius Junius Brutus, was a plebeian. Moreover, 21% of the consuls in the first 26years of the Republic were plebeians.

Related questions

Why did the Romans adopt a republic rather than a democracy for their government?

Their territory was too large to govern by democracy


Why did the new state prefer a republic rather than a democracy for their government?

because the republicanism is better than pure democracy


What must a government do in order to be considered a democracy?

Answer this question… Leaders must be selected by the citizens rather than inheriting power.


How is a republic different from a direct democracy?

A republic is a representative democracy, where the people elect representatives to make laws for them. A republic makes decisions democratically by the majority vote of representatives.In a representative democracy you elect a few to represent you in the decision making, and make decisions for you, rather then you yourself vote on every decision.(The United States is a republic, or representational democracy, because the people vote for representatives to represent their views in congress. James Madison defined republic in terms of representative democracy as opposed to direct democracy.)A direct democracy, or pure democracy, is where the people rule directly, voting on every law themselves. It's a form of government ruled by majority of every individual. A direct democracy allows all citizens to vote on every decision.Direct democracy is where citizens vote directly by ballot to make decisions for the government. Direct democracy originated in Athens.


What kind of democracy do the US have and why this one rather the form used by the ancient Greeks?

The US is not a democracy. We are a constitutional republic.


What are the differences between a direct democracy and a republic?

A republic is a representative democracy, where the people elect representatives to make laws for them. A republic makes decisions democratically by the majority vote of representatives.In a representative democracy you elect a few to represent you in the decision making, and make decisions for you, rather then you yourself vote on every decision.(The United States is a republic, or representational democracy, because the people vote for representatives to represent their views in congress. James Madison defined republic in terms of representative democracy as opposed to direct democracy.)A direct democracy, or pure democracy, is where the people rule directly, voting on every law themselves. It's a form of government ruled by majority of every individual. A direct democracy allows all citizens to vote on every decision.Direct democracy is where citizens vote directly by ballot to make decisions for the government. Direct democracy originated in Athens.


What are the differences between a democracy and a republic?

A republic is a representative democracy, where the people elect representatives to make laws for them. A republic makes decisions democratically by the majority vote of representatives.In a representative democracy you elect a few to represent you in the decision making, and make decisions for you, rather then you yourself vote on every decision.(The United States is a republic, or representational democracy, because the people vote for representatives to represent their views in congress. James Madison defined republic in terms of representative democracy as opposed to direct democracy.)A direct democracy, or pure democracy, is where the people rule directly, voting on every law themselves. It's a form of government ruled by majority of every individual. A direct democracy allows all citizens to vote on every decision.Direct democracy is where citizens vote directly by ballot to make decisions for the government. Direct democracy originated in Athens.


How was athenian democracy different from Rome's republic?

basically, the Romans did not let everyone participate in the government i.e. voting and such. they operated like our congress/senate; the people elected people to represent them in the government the athenians let people vote on matters rather than have just representatives vote for them.


What is democracy according to Abraham Lincoln?

the meaning of Abraham Lincoln's definition on democracy is: The government is from the people like us and is made of many people and is made for the sake of people............this is the meaning of Abraham Lincoln's definition............


How did democracy begin?

Democracy began by the Greeks wanting to vote to make decisions of government rather than be ruled by the elites.


Why is China called People's republic of China?

Actually, China is a republic. A republic is a state governed by the people or their elected representatives. Although China is a one-party Communist authoritarian state, which has what most republics consider to be a repressive government and does not tolerate dissent, it qualifies as a republic because it has a President ( currently Xi Jinping ) rather than a monarch or emperor.


How did greek and roman versions of democracy differ?

Both Greek and Roman democracies were based on citizen participation in governance, but there were key differences. Greek democracy in Athens was direct, with citizens voting directly on laws and policies, while Roman democracy was more representative, with elected officials making decisions on behalf of the people. Additionally, Greek democracy was limited to free male citizens, while Roman democracy eventually extended to include more diverse groups.