Checks and Balances in Rome
In tracing the history of Roman government, one would find that the first form of established rule was by that of the monarchy. This meant that one king held imperium over the mass of the people. However, by 510 B.C, with the elimination of the monarchy, this imperium was granted to two consuls who shared it equally, thus allowing for a new process of governing with division of power. The consuls held highly authoritative positions, dealing regularly with military and legal matters, and with general public affairs. As stated by Polybius, History of the World, 6.12.1-9, "it is the duty of the consuls to consider these (public affairs) their concern, and to summon assemblies, to introduce resolutions, and to execute the decrees of the people." Obviously, the consuls were faced with many major responsibilities, thus, the government was soon divided further to include magistracies. Only certain magistracies held imperium, besides the consuls, those being the praetors and the dictators. Praetors, described by the Historian Messalla as "colleagues of the consuls", functioned in handling matters in the law, specifically that of civil law. Dictators were assigned to deal with affairs in times of urgency, such as war, and were entitl
. . .
Some common words found in the essay are:
Latin Language, Defense Placius, , History World, Digest Laws, Plebs Senate, World Rome114, Historian Messalla, Comitia Tributa, Senators Consuls, held imperium, comitia tributa, monarchy imperium, governing rome, authoritative figures, public affairs, comitia centuriata, concilium plebis, military tribunes, division power,
Approximate Word count = 852
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
 |
