The popular assemblies did not govern Rome. During the period of the Roman Republic (509-27 BC) they were voting bodies. The Assembly of the Soldiers voted on war and peace and elected the senior executive officers of state (the consuls, praetors and censors). The Assembly of the Tribes elected the junior officers of state (the aediles and the quaestors). The Plebeian Council elected the plebeian tribunes. In the Early Republic, the Assembly of the Soldiers voted on bills. Later this role was taken over by the Plebeian council.
The government of Rome was made up of the five types of officers of state mentioned above. Except for the censors, who were elected every 18 months, they were elected annually. They acted independently within the remit of theory offices. The Republic did not have a centralised government, like an administration or a cabinet. The consuls were the heads of the Republic.
Chat with our AI personalities
Rome was the conqueror of Cleopatra's Egypt and the government changed. After Cleopatra, Egypt became a Roman province and was governed under Roman law with Roman officials replacing the Greek officials. Taxes were paid to Rome rather than to a pharaoh.
Everyone who was born into a Roman family was a Roman citizen. Foreigners were not Roman citizens. In the 1st century AD the various peoples of Italy were granted Roman citizenship. Prior to 212 AD the conquered peoples in the Roman Empire were not Roman citizens. In that year the emperor Caracalla extended Roman citizenship to all the free men ion the empire. Slaves were not given citizenship. Before this, the Romans often granted Roman citizenship to elite men of their allies or conquered peoples who showed loyalty to Rome.
Novanet--> All male Greek citizens participated in the government.
A replublic is a form of Government in which power rest with the citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders. The Roman Republic provided a model for the U.S. government. In what way does the U.S. government differ from the Roman Republic?
During the period of the Roman Republic the senate was the advisory body of the consuls, the two annually elected heads of the Republic. It debated on policy matters and issued policy recommendation. It also advised on the drafting of bills. In some circumstances it could issue decrees. The Assembly of the Soldiers (which gathered the Roman soldiers) elected the higher officers of state; the consuls, the praetors and the censors. The Assembly of the Tribes (which gathered all Roman citizens) elected the lower officers of state; the aediles and the quaestors. The Assembly of the Soldiers voted on war and peace. The two assemblies also voted on legislation. During the period of rule by emperors the assemblies disappeared and the senate was emasculated.