The Roman Republic and its life

In the republic (“public affairs”) supreme power in Rome was shared among the Assembly, the Senate and elected officials. The Senate (“council of elders”) had about 300 members and great influence over laws and state affairs. The state was run by two consuls elected every year: they judged, commanded armies on campaign, and could stop each other’s decisions. In danger a dictator with unlimited power was appointed for up to six months. The population was divided into patricians (old noble families) and plebeians (ordinary citizens); at first top offices were open only to patricians. As a result of the plebeians’ struggle the office of people’s tribune was introduced; a tribune could halt an official’s decision by saying “veto” (“I forbid”). Laws were at first unwritten; at the plebeians’ demand the Twelve Tables were written down in 451–450 BCE and displayed in the Forum. They protected private property but also kept inequality. By 287 BCE decisions of the plebeians became binding for the whole people. The laws did not apply to slaves.