The Structures: A Glimpse of Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a culture that defined itself by the structures it built. From the Colosseum and Pantheon, to the aqueducts, the city of Rome was a thing of majestic beauty, where extraordinary architecture and engineering was used to ensure the citizens and the cities running. Yet there was another major structure that deserves particular attention when talking about the Romans: their assemblies.
The Assemblies
The assemblies in Ancient Rome were one of the most important and influential structures of the society. They were the foundation of a governmental system that had been in place for centuries and decades. There were two types of assemblies in Ancient Rome: the Curiate Assembly and the Concilium Plebis. The Curiate Assembly was composed of representatives from the patrician (upper class) families and the Plebian (lower class) families. Whereas the Concilium Plebis was formed by popular election.
The Assembly’s Purpose
The assemblies were one of the basis of the Roman Republic. It was the place where the patricians and the plebeians met and debated on laws, declarations of war and peace, and religious rites. Moreover, the assemblies allowed citizens to express their concerns and public grievances.
The assemblies were also a way for the Roman citizens to have a sense of justice, since their laws were “spoken” in public and debated in public. It was also an opportunity for both classes to influence public policies and laws. In addition to this, the assemblies were also a place where citizens could come together and voice their fears and worries without fear of being judged.
The Voting Process
The voting process in Ancient Rome was slightly different from our present day system. The Curiate Assembly voted on the basis of age and social standing. They did not practice majority voting. On the other hand, The Concilium Plebis held majority voting, where the majority had to be two-thirds to pass a bill.
Individual Influence: A Unique Opportunity to Voice Concerns
Individuals could also make a difference in the assemblies during Ancient Rome. Citizens had the opportunity to speak their mind in front of the assemblies and had the right to propose any measures they thought were necessary. They could also make impassioned speeches in their attempt to influence the narrative. If a citizen was successful in convincing the assembly of his point of view, his motion or proposal could be passed. This unique opportunity made the assemblies especially important since it allowed any citizen the power to sway the assembly in whatever direction they believed to be the right one.
The Decline of Assembly System
Despite its privileged position as the ultimate decision-making body in Ancient Rome, the assemblies slowly waned in influence. By the time of Julius Caesar, the power of the assemblies was greatly diminished and the power of the dictator had become paramount in the Roman state. Despite their lost of power, the assemblies remained a strong symbol of democracy and freedom that the Roman people held onto.
Breakdown of the Assembly System Over Time
The breakdown of the Roman Republic saw the emergence of the Roman Empire. With its emergence, the political landscape of Rome changed drastically. The assemblies were no longer the centers of power and politics. The emperor was now the ultimate authority, and the assemblies slowly declined in importance.
Emperor’s Use of the Assembly System
Although the emperor held the real power in Rome, the assemblies still played a role in the Roman system of governance. The emperor used the assemblies as a way of gaining popular support for his policies. This meant that the assemblies could still be the forum where the public could voice their concerns.
Legacy of the Assembly System
The assembly system in Ancient Rome may have been long gone, but its legacy remains firmly embedded in the Western political system. The ideas of democracy and liberty that were debated through the Roman assemblies have shaped much of the modern world when it comes to public governance and decision-making. Despite its decline, the assemblies of Ancient Rome were a crucial foundation of the Roman Republic, and their legacy is still visible today.
