Each Roman dictator was granted power to rule for six months. After that time, he had to give up power. Romans particularly admired Cincinnatus(SIHN suh NA tuhs) as a model dictator.

Cincinnatus organized an army, led the Romans to victory over the attacking enemy, attended victory celebrations, and returned to work his fields—all within 15 days.

Plebeians Demand Equality

At first, all government officials were patricians. Plebeians (plih BEE uhnz), the farmers, merchants, and artisans who made up most of the population, were citizens but had little influence. Plebeian demands for power shaped politics in the early republic.

The plebeians' first breakthrough came in 450 B.C., when the government had the laws of Rome inscribed on 12 tablets, which were set up in the Forum, Rome's marketplace. For the first time, the Laws of the Twelve Tables made it possible for plebeians to appeal a judgment handed down by a patrician judge.

In time, the plebeians gained the right to elect their own officials, called tribunes, to protect their interests. The tribunes could veto, or block, laws that they felt were harmful to plebeians. Little by little, plebeians forced the senate to choose plebeians as consuls, appoint them to high offices, and finally to admit them to the senate. These changes made Rome's government more representative.

A Lasting Legacy

Although the senate still dominated the government, the common people had gained access to power and won safeguards for their rights without having to resort to war or revolution.

More than 2,000 years later, the framers of the United States Constitution would adapt such Roman ideas as the senate, the veto, and a system of checks and balances on political power.

Roman Society

The family was the basic unit of Roman society. Under Roman law, the male head of the household—usually the father—had absolute power in the family. He enforced strict discipline and demanded total respect for his authority. His wife was subject to his authority and was not allowed to administer her own affairs. The ideal Roman woman was loving, dutiful, dignified, and strong.

Analyze Charts

Posting the Laws of the Twelve Tables in the Forum made Rome's laws accessible to all of its citizens. Which of the Twelve Tables laws dealt with family law?

The Role of Women

During the early Roman Republic, women had few rights. Later, they gained more freedom, and played a larger role in society than did Greek women.

Table of Contents