Ancient Rome Government

Originally, Rome was ruled by fierce people called Etruscans. In 508, B.C., Roman people got rid of the king. They established a new kind of government called a republic. In a republic, many leaders make decisions rather than just one person and the people elect their own leaders. Two officials called consuls ruled the republic, in addition to a senate. The senate was a group of wealthy people that gave advice to the consuls.

After Rome became a republic, it's citizens were given many rights. They had the right to vote, the right to own property, and the right to be leaders in government. Women, slaves, and people not born in Rome were not considered citizens, though, and did not have many rights.