The structure of government in Ancient Rome and the United States has experienced significant changes over the centuries. This essay will compare and contrast the political structure of Ancient Rome and the United States, focusing on how each system of government grants power to the people and their representatives. It will examine the differences in the roles of the Senate and consuls in Ancient Rome and the President and Congress in the United States. Additionally, it will highlight the impact of slavery within each system of government and how this played a major role in determining the rights of the citizens. The structure of governments in Ancient Rome and the United States has experienced drastic changes over the centuries. This essay will compare and contrast the political structures of both ancient Roman and modern United …show more content…
The Senate was composed of wealthy Patricians and had the power to veto any individual or group proposals. Common people had no access to or influence on the government, leading to highly unequal societies with little representation from the lower classes. In the United States, the power is held by the people, who elect their representatives to create laws and policies on their behalf. The President and Congress hold the ultimate power and authority, creating laws and policies that are best for the people. All citizens have an equal say and representation in the government, regardless of their economic or social status. Additionally, the Supreme Court provides an essential layer In Ancient Rome, the Senate and consuls had complete control over the citizens and their laws. This heavily favored the wealthy Patricians and created a society that was divided by socio-economic status. The common people had no say in the government, making it difficult for them to seek legal redress or challenge existing
The Legislative Branch (Congress) is similar to the Roman assemblies (like the Senate). Finally, the Judicial Branch is similar to the Praetors of Rome. The U.S. even named one house of Congress, the Senate, after the Senate of Rome. Law Roman law had a significant
The United States Government is a government formed and influenced off of other successful governments, the Roman Republic being one of them. While the Roman Republic and our current United States Government have many similarities, they also have many differences. One example of a similarity is how the government was divided. Just like the Roman government, the United States government is divided into three parts: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. Even though they were not called these names in Rome, they are almost the same thing.
The representative would move closer to Rome to vote for laws their civilization would want. In Han China they had three different types of government. One was Confucianism that meant to lead by example, Daoism which was to rule as little as possible and Legalism was to set clear laws and punish the people who disobey them. In Ancient Egypt they had a pharaoh that would make all their laws. Ancient Egypt and Han
The Roman Republic's system allowed every adult male citizen including free slaves to have a vote without any formal exclusion of the poor. Voting took place within subgroups known as Tribal or Century Assemblies where the majority vote won. The power of the citizen as a voter was divided into three categories: acting as criminal courts and participating in elections conducted by the Century or Tribal Assemblies and legislating. Only a limited group of elected annual magistrates could propose laws before the people in the assemblies. The Tribal Assembly served as the primary assembly for the passage of laws.
Roman VS United States senate The Roman and United States senate are both very similar, and it is clear that the Roman Senate was a precursor to the United States Senate. As the Roman Senate came first and we could watch the history unfold, the United States made smarter decisions to create a more stable and people-serving government. Those who do not learn history repeat it, and with the advantage of time the US Senate got to learn from the Romans mistakes. I will be taking the position that the United States Senate is better and more efficient than the Roman Senate. I am going to give a light overview of each Senate, and compare and contrast them.
Imperial Rome had a democratic government, where the people voted for everything. They had two classes, the patricians and the plebeians. The Plebeians had all the control over the Senate and the Consuls for a while. Eventually, the plebeians were given control over the Tribunes to give them a voice. The patricians were the wealthy, land owners, and the upper class citizens.
In this particular chapter, Polybius contributes how the Romans were able to rise to power was due to the system of government that was in place. He goes into in-depth analysis of the flaws each system of government had in the past, from kingship, aristocracy, and democracy, as well as pointing out their strong points. He stated that “For it is plain that we must regard as the best constitution that which partakes of all three elements (kingship, aristocracy, and democracy)” (Polybius, VI. 3). He concluded with the idea of a mixed government, where each part of the government will serve as a check of balance to one another.
The citizens would elect Praetors, these were judges that ruled in the judicial branch and would be voted for each year(AR). Usually only the wealthy Praetors would be elected leaving out the middle and lower class citizens of Rome(AR).Today in The U.S., people can vote on issues that are addressed within America and are also able to vote on who is elected as the president no matter what financial state they are in. In Rome, the lower class citizens also known as the plebeians, were forced into the army and were furious at the fact that
Notwithstanding these democratic components, the Roman Republic's aristocracy-dominated governance made it ultimately undemocratic. The Senate, which was predominately made up of nobles, held the majority of the republic's power. This indicated that very few people actually influenced the decisions that the government made. (National Geographic Society,
The Roman society consisted of two different classes of people, the patricians and plebeians. The patricians, a status given by birthright, generally held the most power and control in society. The plebeians were considered to be a member of the lower class.
There are many similarities that can be noticed between the American Nation and the Roman Empire such as the same founding of government and both dominated in military, and economic similarities. Rome is famous for their harsh discipline amongst their own ranks and their mercifulness brutality amongst their enemies. Rome warfare was characterized by great ferocity and the roman pursuit of victory was determined. Rome gave many good ideas; the senate was ruled by the people of Rome. The Roman Republic Government was a large complex constitution, which was secure by many checks and balances, so that no man could have complete control.
The Roman government system was organized into three branches, just like the United States. As seen in Document 1, the three branches were the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. These branches
The Roman Senate was composed of 300 members, who were chosen from the most prominent families in Rome. The Senate was responsible for making laws and advising the consuls, and its members served for life. In addition to the Senate, there were also other assemblies of the people, such as the Comitia Centuriata, which was responsible for electing consuls and passing laws. Undemocratic Practices of the Republic While the Roman Republic was characterized by democratic elements, it was also marked by undemocratic practices. One of the most significant of these was the exclusion of plebeians from political power.
Every portion of the government directly represented its people - from the Council of 500 to the Ecclesia and the Court and Jury System - and citizens were payed and thus incentivized to participate in the system. They did their best to make an equitable system with the allocation of members through the 10 tribe system, the potential for scrutinization for any member of the government, and the randomization of jury members for trials. The Greeks were a tier above their Roman counterparts when it came to
The General Assembly and Senate established a sense of importance in Rome. The General Assembly was made up of Plebeians, and the Senate consists of Patricians. The terms General Assembly and Senate are two of many terms still used in the US Government today. The Romans were led by a king who was approved by the senate and a vote of the people, which is also displayed in the US Government. This is displayed in our presidential elections.