|
A republic is a system of government where the citizens of the country
elect representatives to run the affairs of state. In Rome, the people elected two rulers (called consuls) each year.
These two held almost absolute power, but one could veto the decisions of the other, so unbridled
ambition was held in check. The Senate, a body of 300 elected officials advised the consuls
on matters of law, but did not have authority to veto the consuls. The Senators were elected by and from the rich
ruling class, the Patricians. Later, in 287 BC, the common freemen of the republic finally won
permission to be represented, and established the Plebiscita (Concilium Plebis) which expressed the
will of the free commoners. The Republic lasted (for all practical purposes) until 27 BC when Augustus made himself supreme
ruler of Rome.
|
