Around 1000 BC saw the introduction of the earliest form of the Roman Republic, with a system of government based on consensus and cooperation of the assembly senate and consuls, a unique system of governance that would shape the Roman civilization for centuries to come. To this day, it is still one of the most successful models of government known to man. Let us take a look into the past to explore the beginnings of this system and what it has contributed to today’s culture.
The assembly senate and consuls were introduced in ancient Rome, around 509 BC, as a response to the rule of the Roman kings, who were overthrown in a plebeian revolt. This structure enabled the Roman citizens to co-rule the empire. In her book “The Roman Republic – The Classics of Ancient History”, Professor Sarah Brison explains: “In sharp contrast to its near neighbour Carthage, Ancient Rome was sculpted out of a republic whose primary focus was the protection and rights of the people as individuals.”
In ancient Rome, the assembly senate was a large public gathering of tribal leaders and citizens, who would discuss and vote on important issues in order to ensure the welfare of the empire and its citizens. They would publicize their decisions and the proposed law measures, or plebiscites, on bronze tablets known as Tabula Annularia for all Roman citizens to access and debate. Two consuls served as the joint head of state, representing the will of the Romans in all decision-making. They were elected by popular vote and were legally obliged to work in the people’s best interests; if they behaved unethically, they could be impeached.
The origins of the assembly senate and consuls system in ancient Rome helped form the basis for today’s democratic systems. It marked a turning point in history, away from oppressive rulers and towards consensus and cooperation among the people in government. “These principles remain central to democracy today”, says Professor Charles Davis, “including the principle that learning and discussion are vital to the success of any decision-making process.”
However, despite its success, the assembly senate and the consuls system wasn’t perfect. Over time, citizens became polarized along class, economic and social lines and frustrated with the slow change in policy. This eventually led to the introduction of the Tribunate, a body of Roman citizens elected through popular vote, whose job was to represent the plebeians in their grievances and disputes with the patrician ruling class. It is thought that this system helped heal the rift of inequality between the two classes, allowing Rome to prosper and its system of government to last for centuries afterwards.
In conclusion, the assembly senate and consuls system introduced in ancient Rome paved the way for the development of democracy and shaped the way in which people today make decisions. It is believed that these methodologies and principles effectively protect the rights of the people on an individual, societal and international level.
The Roman Senate
The Roman Senate was a branch of the Roman government and was comprised of patricians, tribal leaders, and other important individuals from the upper classes. It is thought that the senate was not only influential in ensuring the safety and success of Rome, but also a regulatory and administrative body, capable of passing laws and assessing political threats, both external and internal.
The longstanding power of the senate is still evident today, with governments around the world adopting similar systems to control and influence their own countries. As Professor Benjamin Reilly points out in International Perspectives on Democracy and Rule of Law, “the Roman Senate provided an early example of the formative and ongoing processes of democracy, evolving and adapting to respond to changing social and political circumstances.” Jeffrey Williamson, author of The Roman Republic: From its Origins to 49BC, concurs and summarizes the impact of their unique governance on today’s world: “The Romans illustrate how fundamental ideals and laws of governance, formed through a common heritage, can survive for hundreds and thousands of years”.
The Impact of the Consuls System
The consuls system also impacted the modern world and had a lasting influence on other civil societies. Under the consuls system, two consuls were elected by the people to serve as head of state, representing the will of the Roman citizens, and they were legally obligated to consider the interests of the people in their decisions. This principle of citizens’ participation in decision-making remains at the heart of the modern democracy and serves as an example of how citizens can be directly involved in the decision-making process.
The consuls system also enshrined a number of important principles around executive power. In a discussion about the Roman Republic in his book History of the West, professor Richard Bulliet explains: “The tribunes served to limit the power of the executive, making it clear that the executive must act with the consent of the citizens.” This rendered the executive accountable and limited the likelihood of tyranny in the early Roman Republic.
The concept of the consuls system has been adopted by many countries in their system of governance, though with some variations. For example, in the United States, two senators are elected, who are responsible for their own region but ultimately expect to represent the wishes of their constituents. Similarly, the executive branch of the government is divided between congress, the president and the supreme court.
The Tribunate
The introduction of the Tribunate was also a key factor in the success of the Roman Republic. The Tribunate was a body of Roman citizens elected through popular vote, and was responsible for representing the plebeian class in disputes and grievances with the patrician ruling class. As Professor Maria Cetera explains in her book Concepts of Roman Law, “The addition of the Tribunate increased accountability by introducing a third power to the government to help ensure that the rights of the plebeians were being respected.”
The Tribunate was an important step in the evolution of democracy and served as an example for other countries today. Professor Smith explains: “The Tribunate represented a shift away from the deeply entrenched rigidity of the ruling class, towards a more flexible, egalitarian society where different classes could cooperate and compete on the same terms.” As a result, the concept of democracy has been adopted by many countries worldwide, in their own unique way.
The Legacy of the Assembly Senate and Consuls System
The legacy of the assembly senate and consuls system in ancient Rome remains to this day, with countries around the world inspired by its principles and methodology. “These ideals and conventions were to form the foundations of a rule of law,” explains historian John Van Rensselaer, in his book First Settlers of Roman Republic. “This system enabled the Roman people to co-rule their empire, thus improving the standard of justice and government in the republic.”
As a result of its success, the concept of the assembly senate and consuls system has been adopted by a number of governments around the world. Similarly, the principles of the Tribunate, the consuls system, and the Roman Senate were adopted by other civilisations in different forms, providing a model for the development of democracy around the world. It is clear that the legacy of the assembly senate and consuls system in ancient Rome remains strong.
The Influence on Education and Culture
The legacy of the assembly senate and consuls system has also impacted education and culture in a variety of ways. For example, it is thought that the introduction of the Assembly has had a lasting influence on the concept of education, providing a model upon which other civilisations have based their own education systems. Similarly, the Roman Senate was a major factor in the development of the West’s literature and poetry, as well as its art, music and architecture.
The principles of the system have been used to inspire citizens and encourage civic engagement. As Professor James Maier writes in Exploring Trends in Ancient Roman Education: “The concepts and values of the Assembly, Senate and Consul system, so deeply engrained in our way of life, remain influential, challenging and thought-provoking, both in terms of the way we think and the way we act.”
The enduring legacy of the assembly senate and consuls system in ancient Rome has, and will continue to impact on the way we now live, think and behave.
