HI 207 The Roman Republic: Politics, Army and Society 18 Flashcards
(16 cards)
Structure of the Republic
Magistrates
▪ Cursus honorum
The Cursus Honorum was the sequential order of public offices held by aspiring politicians, acting as a structured career path. This system, which began with the quaestorship, aimed to ensure experienced individuals held leadership positions. The highest office was the consulship, followed by the praetorship, aedileship, and quaestorship, among others. The Lex Villius Annalis introduced age requirements for these offices, ensuring that experienced individuals held leadership positions.
Structure of the Republic: Assemblies
These were theoretically composed of all males who were full Roman citizens, though individuals had to attend in person in order to vote. No debate from the floor was possible, and votes were counted in groups, not individually (the vote of each group was determined by the vote of the majority of individuals in that group). Assembly of the Curiae (comitia curiata): oldest assembly; by the late Republic had mostly ceremonial and clan functions. Assembly of the Centuries (comitia centuriata): elected consuls, praetors, censors; declared war; served as court of appeal for citizens sentenced to death. The 193 centuries were determined by wealth, and the richest centuries were also the smallest, so individual votes in these counted more heavily (when a majority of the 193 votes was reached, voting was stopped, so some of the largest centuries rarely got to cast votes). Assembly of the Tribes (comitia tributa): elected all other magistrates; voted yes or no on laws; the 35 tribes were originally determined geographically and then passed on by birth. A subgroup of this assembly, the Concilium Plebis, was open only to plebeians. This plebeian assembly elected the magistrates open only to plebeians (tribunes and plebeian aediles). After 287 BCE, the measures passed by the Concilium Plebis (plebiscita) had the force of laws binding on the whole state.
Structure of the Republic: The Senate
Composed of 600 magistrates and ex-magistrates (minimum qualification was election as quaestor) who served for life unless expelled by the censors.
Normally met in a building called the Curia located in the Roman Forum. although technically an advisory body, in effect the Senate was the chief governmental body because it controlled public finances and foreign affairs, assigned military commands and provinces, and debated and passed decrees that would be submitted to the assemblies for final ratification
Struggle of the Orders (c. 500-287): Tribunes of the Plebs (494)
Assembly of the Tribes (comitia tributa): elected all other magistrates; voted yes or no on laws; the 35 tribes were originally determined geographically and then passed on by birth. A subgroup of this assembly, the Concilium Plebis, was open only to plebeians. This plebeian assembly elected the magistrates open only to plebeians (tribunes and plebeian aediles). After 287 BCE, the measures passed by the Concilium Plebis (plebiscita) had the force of laws binding on the whole state.
Struggle of the Orders (c. 500-287): Twelve Tables (451)
This written law code, a response to the plebeians’ demands for equal rights and protection from arbitrary patrician rule, was a significant step towards a more just and equitable legal system. This was a long-standing conflict between the plebeians (commoners) and patricians (aristocrats) in early Rome, driven by the plebeians’ desire for greater political and social power. In 451 BC, a commission of ten men (decemvirs) was established to create a written code of laws, addressing the plebeians’ grievances. These laws, displayed publicly in the Forum, became known as the Twelve Tables. The Twelve Tables were crucial because they codified the laws, making them accessible to all citizens, and established a written legal framework that reduced the potential for arbitrary rule by patrician magistrates. This shift towards a written and publicly available law was a major step in the development of Roman legal principles. Content: The Twelve Tables covered various aspects of Roman life, including property rights, family law, criminal justice, and debt.
Struggle of the Orders (c. 500-287): Lex Hortensia (287)
This law established that resolutions passed by the plebeian assembly (plebiscites) were legally binding on all Roman citizens, effectively granting plebeians equal political rights and marking the end of the struggle. The Lex Hortensia marked the end of the long-standing conflict, theoretically giving plebeians equal political rights with patricians
Nature of the Republic?
A dialogue by Plato, explores the nature of justice and the ideal state by examining the structure and functioning of a just society. It posits that justice is achieved when each social class (ruling, guardian, and producer) fulfills its designated role, mirroring the harmony within an individual’s soul where reason, spirit, and appetite are in balance. The Republic also delves into human nature, suggesting that individuals are born with different aptitudes and should be trained for specific roles in society.
The Roman Army of the Republic: Structure
The Roman Republic army’s structure was highly organized, with legions as the primary unit, and smaller units within them. A legion, generally comprising 4,800 infantry and 300 cavalry, was composed of ten cohorts, each of six (or five) centuries. Centuries were further divided into ten contubernia (squads) of eight men. This hierarchical structure, with its emphasis on smaller, manageable units, facilitated discipline and strategic flexibility on the battlefield. Contubernia:
The smallest unit, composed of eight legionaries and two support personnel, essentially the modern squad.
Centuria:
Consisting of ten contubernia and led by a centurion, equivalent to a modern captain.
Cohors:
Made up of six centuries (or five in the late Republic), commanded by the most senior centurion.
Legio:
Ten cohorts, plus a small cavalry unit, formed the legion. Consuls (the highest elected officials) commanded legions and armies. Lower-level officers, like legati, tribunes, and centurions, were also important.
The Roman Army of the Republic:Roman Militarism
a key force behind its expansion and dominance, was characterized by rigorous discipline, effective training, and strategic formations like the legion and manipular system. Roman militarism was deeply ingrained in Roman society, influencing political careers and the nation’s identity. The legion, the core of the Roman army, consisted of infantry and cavalry, organized into cohorts and centuries. The manipular formation, dividing soldiers into smaller units within the legion, provided flexibility and tactical advantage. Soldiers were rigorously trained in various combat techniques and formations, with emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and maintaining order in battle. Harsh punishments, including decimation, were used to enforce discipline.
The Roman Army of the Republic: The conquest of Italy (496-274)
The Roman Republic’s conquest of Italy, spanning roughly from 496 to 274 BCE, involved a series of wars and strategic expansion, culminating in Roman dominance of the Italian peninsula. Initially, Rome faced off against neighboring Latin and Etruscan cities, and later, the Samnites, before ultimately subjugating the entire region. This expansion was driven by both defensive and offensive motivations, aimed at securing Rome’s borders and expanding its territory and influence. Early Wars:
Rome began by fighting its immediate neighbors, including the Latins, Etruscans, and Gauls, who sacked Rome in 387 BCE.
Samnite Wars:
The three Samnite Wars (343–341, 326–304, 298–290 BCE) were particularly significant, as they led to Roman control of a large portion of central and southern Italy.
Pyrrhic War:
The Pyrrhic War (280–275 BCE) saw Rome face off against King Pyrrhus of Epirus, a Greek king, demonstrating the challenge Rome faced in its expansion. Despite some initial Greek victories, Rome eventually triumphed, solidifying its control over the peninsula.
Consul
In the Roman Republic, a consul was the highest elected public official, acting as the chief magistrate of the state. They were elected annually, with two consuls serving jointly for a one-year term, effectively acting as co-presidents. This system, designed to prevent the concentration of power, was a defining feature of the Roman Republic. Elected annually: Two consuls were elected each year by the Centuriate Assembly.
Joint leadership: The consuls served together, sharing responsibility and power.
One-year term: Their term lasted for one year, ensuring a rotation of power.
Imperium: Consuls held imperium (supreme civil and military authority), giving them significant power. Civil functions: They oversaw administrative, legislative, and judicial duties.
Cursus honorum: The consulship was the highest position in the cursus honorum, the sequence of public offices that politicians aspired to.
Imperium
In ancient Rome, “Imperium” was the supreme power, a legal authority involving both military and judicial authority, exercised by magistrates and private citizens entrusted with special commands. It meant “command” and was a form of authority to control a military or governmental entity. The concept of imperium existed before Rome became an empire.
Comitia Centuriata
a crucial voting body in ancient Rome, primarily responsible for declaring war, electing magistrates, and enacting legislation. Unlike the Comitia Curiata, which was predominantly patrician, the Comitia Centuriata included plebeians, though its structure still favored the wealthy. Citizens were assigned to centuries based on their wealth and the military equipment they could provide. This meant that wealthier citizens, especially those with large landholdings, held a disproportionate amount of influence. Voting occurred by centuries, with the wealthier centuries voting first. This ensured that the votes of the wealthier classes often outweighed those of the poorer ones.
Concilium Plebis
The Concilium Plebis, or Assembly of the Plebs, was a crucial legislative body in ancient Rome that represented the common people, or plebeians. It allowed plebeians to pass laws, elect their own officials, and voice their concerns, playing a significant role in the gradual development of political equality between patricians and plebeians. Purpose:
The Concilium Plebis served as a platform for plebeians to participate in Roman politics, advocating for their rights and interests.
Role in Lawmaking:
It could pass laws known as plebiscites, which initially only applied to plebeians but later gained binding force for all Roman citizens after the Lex Hortensia in 287 BCE.
Centurion
A Roman centurion was a military officer in the Roman army, typically commanding a century, which consisted of 80-100 legionaries. They were highly experienced and respected soldiers, often rising through the ranks from the ranks of the legionaries. Centurions were responsible for the well-being and training of their soldiers, as well as leading them in battle. Command:
Centurions directly commanded their century, ensuring discipline and effectiveness in combat.
Training: They were responsible for the training and development of their soldiers, preparing them for battle.
Pedites
o Hastati
o Principes
o Triarii
o Equites
o Velites
Pedites (Infantería):
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Es el término general para los soldados de infantería en el ejército romano.
Hastati:
.
Eran la primera línea de infantería, los soldados más jóvenes y menos experimentados.
Principes:
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Eran la segunda línea de infantería, soldados más experimentados y en la plenitud de su fuerza física.
Triarii:
.
Eran la tercera línea de infantería, los soldados más veteranos y experimentados.
Equites (Caballería):
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Era la caballería ligera del ejército romano, utilizada para flanquear al enemigo.
Velites (Infantería ligera):
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Eran los soldados de infantería ligera, a menudo usados para lanzar jabalinas y cubrir la retaguardia
