Rome cont.

"We got three government rolled into the one Patricians and plebeians having some fun."
  -Rule of kings is replaced by rule of two

Consuls:
  -consulus are elected officials
  -terms of office: one year
  -always aristocrats (patricians)
  -patricians traced their descent form a famous ancestor, or potter (Harry Potter) meaning-   "father".

  -Duties: dealing justice, making law, commanding the army
  -One consul could veto the other (reducing the power of the individual)

A challenge from "repair folks":
  -fifth century BC - patricians dominance of the government was challenged by the plebs   (people).
  -plebs were 98% of the population
  -how did the patricians dominate?
   plebs had to serve in the army
   but could not hold the office
   plebs were threatened with debt slavery
   plebs had no legal rights

No legal rights:
  -plebs were victims of discriminatory decisions in judicial trails.
  -Rome had no laws.
  -Rome had just unwritten customs
  -patricians could interpret these tot heir own advantage.

So, plebs refused to serve in the military until...
  -laws were written out (The Law of the Twelve Tables)
  -these laws (on tablets) were posted in public (450 BC)
  -tribunes - "tribal leaders" were elected

SPQR - Senatus Populusque Romanum
  -designates any decree or decision made by the Roman Senate and People

Res publica - the people's affairs
  -brand new republic; ready to run (one direction ahhhh)
  -democracy (the people's assembly and the tribunes)
  -aristocracy (the Senate - approx. 300 members)
  -plus monarchy (the consuls)
  -not a tyranny

Government: ancient Roman/USA:
  -originally, the US model their new government like Ancient Romans
  -it's not exactly the same
  -both have three branches of government
   executive, legislative, judicial
  -have a legal code (ex: Twelve Tables and Constitution)

3 branches - Rome vs. USA:
 Rome: 
executive
-two consul
-one year terms
-each has veto power
-appoint dictator for six months if war broke out

USA:
-President plus VP
-four year term
-can veto proposed law
-commander in chief

Legislative
Rome:
-senate - 300 people aristocrats - members for life
-assemblies (193 members)

USA:
-Senate - 100 senators (two forms each state - 6 year terms)
-House of Reps. 435 (53 from CA one from 7 states 2 year terms)

Judicial
USA:
-Supreme Court
-nine members
-appointed by the president by the senate
-lifetime terms

Legal Code (Rome/USA):
Rome: Twelve Tables
-publically displayed
-gave rights to plebeians
-not just aristocrats 
-only protected free-born
-male citizens (not women)

USA: Bill of Rights
-first ten amendments to the constitution
 1. free-speech/press/religion
 2. bear-arms
 3. no quartering
 4. no search and seizure
 5. no self-incrimation
 6. right to fair trail
 7. jury trails
 8. no cruel or unusual punishment 
 9. right to privacy and rights are assumed
 10. states have power where the fed doesn't.