Roman Republic: Government Mini-‐Sim

Roman Republic Scenarios

Roman Republic: Government Mini-Sim

Task: Students will imagine themselves to be a cizen in the Roman Republic. They have some power, depending on which secon of government they represent. They must make decision in the best interest of those they represent, obey the will of the people, keep the rich happy, and sll save Rome from self-destrucon. You will be presented with four major problems facing the Republic and pose potenal soluons. Roman Republic Scenarios Roman Republic Scenarios

Roles in the Roman Republic

Consul The Consul was two elected rulers for a one year term. These consuls were elected by a group of ordinary cizens known as an assembly, and the consuls were given advice by a group of rich people known as the Senate. The two consuls were also called Chief Magistrates of State; both had the power to veto (Lan for “I forbid”) each other in important decisions

Senate The Senate was the only permanent governing body in the Roman Republic and had by far the greatest social presge. The Senate was made up of a council of men who controlled all finances, foreign affairs and state administraon. Senators controlled most land and were chosen for life. The Senate also advised the consuls. Senators were the most experienced policians- usually rered quaestors (elected offical who administrated finances of the state treasury). Comia The Century Assembly was comprised of soldiers who were divided into blocs Centuriata called centuries. Membership in this assembly was based on soldier’s wealth (Century and ownership of land and was very aristocrac. Each century gets one vote Assembly) before the assembly. Comia The Tribal Assembly was made of wealthy cizens (patricians) who were Tributa divided into blocs called tribes. Each tribe gets one vote in the assembly. (Tribal Patricians also voted for consuls and their assembly (Senate) could decide on Assembly) laws. Rered patricians usually became senators.

Concilium The Plebian Council was comprised of only plebians. This assembly was Plebis presided over by a plebian tribune. The tribune became the interpreter of (Plebian the people’s wishes. The tribune can veto any act of the Comia Centuriata, Council) Comia Tributa, Concilium Plebis or the Senate. Aer 287 BCE, any act passed by this council would apply to all of the Senate and the People of Rome. Roman Republic Scenarios

Problem 1. Slaves are replacing Roman workers

Slaves are brought back from each conquered land. These slaves are assigned jobs working for much less than any free Roman can. These slaves are pung free cizens, who are laborers and small farmers, out of work. Poor Romans are starving to death. What should be done? Roman Republic Scenarios

Proposed Soluons Roman Republic Scenarios

What actually happened in Roman Republic:

Soluon 1: The Romans never permanently solved this problem. At various mes, they tried land reform (giving land to poor Romans), freeing the slaves (they would then conquer another territory and get more slaves), and price controls. They even had a welfare program. Nothing worked for long. Roman Republic Scenarios

Problem 2. Rome needs tax money.

The government needs to pay the legions, build roads, sewers, aqueducts, arenas, and pay for the welfare program in Rome. To get this tax money, Rome uses "tax farmers" or "tax collectors".

Tax Collectors are Romans who pay a ﬂat fee to the Roman Republic for the privilege of collecng taxes from a territory. To recoup these monies, tax farmers then levy a tax against every cizen in their territory. Tax collectors expect to make a proﬁt, as they are in the business of tax collecon. This is understood. Roman Republic Scenarios

Each group will be assigned a "TAX COLLECTOR".

The TAX COLLECTOR has just paid the equivalent of $10,000 into the government, and are now allowed to collect taxes from the rest of the class, to pay themselves back and make a proﬁt.

As a TAX FARMER (tax collector), you have soldiers to help you collect from the rest of the class, and you can decide how much to tax each person your group. Roman Republic Scenarios

NOW:

The Republic has just informed you that your tax money is now going to pay for a new road in Gaul (far from Rome), and a new Temple in the city of Rome itself.

Questions to consider:

- Will you still pay the tax? - How should taxes be collected if people do not pay? - What if tax collectors become greedy? - What if tax collectors do not charge their friends? - What if people cannot pay the tax?

NOTE: * The people that couldn't pay were to be seized, sold as slaves, and their property conﬁscated. Roman Republic Scenarios

Problem 2. Rome needs tax money.

Therefore, under this system of tax farmers, there are many abuses, as the government cannot control how each tax farmer runs their individual business.

Queson: How can we stop the abuses while sll connuing to get the tax money we need to run the Republic? Roman Republic Scenarios

Proposed Soluons Roman Republic Scenarios

What actually happened in Roman Republic:

Soluon 2: This problem was not solved while the Republic existed. The emperors solved this problem by not allowing tax collectors to make a proﬁt. The emperors taxed the rich and merchant classes, while giving to the poorer Romans.

Roman Republic Scenarios

Problem 3 Under the Republic, rich oﬃcials use their posions to get elected.

To get elected, some people are buying votes. The poor are quite happy to sell their votes to the highest bidder. Under this system, many people are elected who are poor governors. Gra and corrupon are rampant. How can we ensure good government for Rome? Roman Republic Scenarios

Proposed Soluons Roman Republic Scenarios

What actually happened in Roman Republic:

Soluon 3: This problem was not solved while the Republic existed. When the Empire began, vong became unimportant and soon vanished.

Roman Republic Scenarios

Problem 4. Under the Republic, Rome did not have a police force.

Wealthy Romans hired guards, and even built private armies. During elecons, these private armies oen clash, which is creang havoc on the streets and unsafe condions for innocent bystanders. At all mes, Rome's streets are not safe for cizens aer dark. How can we solve this problem? Roman Republic Scenarios

Proposed Soluons Roman Republic Scenarios

What actually happened in Roman Republic:

Soluon 4: This problem was not solved under the Republic. When the Empire began, the emperors banned private armies, and incorporated these armies into the legion. A police force was created to stop crime. Rome's streets became much safer, but never safe enough to travel alone.

Roman Republic Scenarios

Discussion and Debrief

1. Based on the workings of the Roman Republic and the problems that emerged, what conclusions can you draw about the eﬀecveness of the republic?

2. Do you think the failure to solve problems of the Republic were because of the government system of the republic? Why or why not?

3. What improvements could be made to the Roman Republic?

4. Would an empire or monarchy be a beer polical framework for Ancient Rome? Why or why not?