In this Grade 6 lesson from IMPACT California Social Studies, Chapter 9, students learn how the Roman Republic was structured and governed, including the roles of patricians and plebeians, the functions of the consuls, Senate, praetors, and Assembly of Centuries, and how the system of checks and balances worked. Students also examine how class conflict between patricians and plebeians drove political changes in Rome, including the creation of the Twelve Tables as Rome's first written laws around 451 B.C.E.
Section 1
Social Conflict: Patricians vs. Plebeians
When the Roman Republic began in 509 B.C.E., power was not shared equally.
A small group of wealthy landowners, the patricians, controlled the government. The common people, known as plebeians, were the majority of the population but had very little say in how Rome was run. This created deep tension between the two groups.
Section 2
Romans Divide Government Power
After ending the rule of kings, Romans created a republic to share power. The government had three parts. Two elected consuls led the government and the army. The Senate, made up of wealthy and powerful citizens, guided the consuls. Assemblies allowed citizens to vote and pass laws.
This structure created a system of checks and balances so no single part became too powerful. Consuls could block each other’s decisions. Later, officials called tribunes gained the power to veto, or forbid, actions that could harm the common people.
Section 3
Romans Establish Rule of Law with the Twelve Tables
As the conflict between patricians and plebeians grew, plebeians demanded that Rome’s laws be written down to prevent patrician judges from interpreting the unwritten laws to their own advantage.
Around 451 B.C.E., the city’s leaders created Rome’s first written code of laws, known as the Twelve Tables. These laws were carved on twelve bronze tablets and displayed in the Forum, or marketplace.
Section 4
Romans Championed Civic Duty
A core value of the Roman Republic was civic duty, the belief that citizens had a responsibility to serve their government and community.
To handle emergencies, the Republic could appoint a dictator, a leader with absolute power for a maximum of six months.
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Section 1
Social Conflict: Patricians vs. Plebeians
When the Roman Republic began in 509 B.C.E., power was not shared equally.
A small group of wealthy landowners, the patricians, controlled the government. The common people, known as plebeians, were the majority of the population but had very little say in how Rome was run. This created deep tension between the two groups.
Section 2
Romans Divide Government Power
After ending the rule of kings, Romans created a republic to share power. The government had three parts. Two elected consuls led the government and the army. The Senate, made up of wealthy and powerful citizens, guided the consuls. Assemblies allowed citizens to vote and pass laws.
This structure created a system of checks and balances so no single part became too powerful. Consuls could block each other’s decisions. Later, officials called tribunes gained the power to veto, or forbid, actions that could harm the common people.
Section 3
Romans Establish Rule of Law with the Twelve Tables
As the conflict between patricians and plebeians grew, plebeians demanded that Rome’s laws be written down to prevent patrician judges from interpreting the unwritten laws to their own advantage.
Around 451 B.C.E., the city’s leaders created Rome’s first written code of laws, known as the Twelve Tables. These laws were carved on twelve bronze tablets and displayed in the Forum, or marketplace.
Section 4
Romans Championed Civic Duty
A core value of the Roman Republic was civic duty, the belief that citizens had a responsibility to serve their government and community.
To handle emergencies, the Republic could appoint a dictator, a leader with absolute power for a maximum of six months.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter