​REVIEW- The Early Roman Republic​

​-In a republic citizens vote for their leaders.

-​Only free adult men were citizens in Rome, but not all citizens were equal.

​​-Roman society was divided into two groups: the patricians and the plebeians.​

​-The plebeians wanted a say in how Rome was run, so they went on strike.

​-The plebeians left the city, shutting down Roman shops and businesses, and set up their own government.

​- Economic activity came to a halt.

-​Patricians started losing money, they became frightened and agreed to share their power.

-In time, the plebeians were allowed to elect their own representatives, to protect the rights of ordinary citizens

​The plebeians had one more demand.

Because Rome’s laws were not written down, the patricians often interpreted them to favor their rich friends.

The plebeians that the laws be not only written down but carved into bronze tablets and displayed for all to see.

These laws became known as the The Twelve Tables.

They protected all Roman citizens from injustice.

Some of these laws are the basis of our own laws today.

​This is the Forum in Rome where the Twelve Tables were placed so that ALL citizens could read and know the laws.

​The Twelve Tables were about crime and property and family matters like marriage and inheritance. Many laws today are based in part on the Roman law codes. Many of their laws would not fit our society today, but then some of their laws did not fit their society as Rome grew. Laws were adjusted under the Republic to fit the changing social climate of the population, just like what can happen in today's world.