Cyber Day; Post 22
Rather than a normal note-taking class, our Cyber-Class today consisted of us summarizing two predominant topics that are covered in Mr. Schick's (Chi Cago's) Study Guide Presentation. Similar to life in Greece, social classes were very evident (as described in my previous blog posts) in Rome, impacting the way of life to an extreme point. That's what the majority of the slides (9-22) discussed today, though we broke it into two main points. Firstly, we were to explain the horrors of living under a terrible ruler, which will likely be easy, as nearly every ruler in that age treated the population harshly. Secondly, we were to research and examine the Roman government, predominately it's structure, which is located in our slideshow (13-22). The notes which I took as well as a personal analysis are listed below:
Life Under Harsh Rule:
Just as in Greece, Rome had its fair share of classes that prevailed, most notably tyrants. Among the tyrants lied what we would now consider a "scandal" in order to receive political power. Our story truly begins when Tarquin's grandfather (the firth king) passes away leading his widow to chose an external person (not one of her children) to rule as king. This figure was named Servius Tullius and his two daughters married two brothers (Tarquin and Tullia). Tullia ends up murdering her husband and her own sister that way she can marry Tarquin. As if it couldn't get worse, it does! After Tullia persuades Tarquin to seize power from her own father, he is thrown and executed by Servius Tullius. On her way home to safety, Tullia even runs her father's corpse over on the street. The street is where the body would continue to decay as no proper burial arrangements were ever made. From this point on, it seems the aristocrats which ran Rome were a bit hairy in many factors of the ruling. From that point on, excessive ruling, suicide, and family betrayal became somewhat normal.
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| Above is a painting depicting the scene in which Servius Tullius is ran over by his Daughter. |
Roman Government Structure:
With all this corruption, it comes as no surprise that the patricians (ruling class) were of the majority of the population; whereas, plebians were 98% of the population. This meant that because plebians were unable to withhold office, they had very little say in what happens in Rome. Rather, they had no legal rights and were forced to serve within the Roman Army. Because of this lack of sustained laws which would be written out, the plebians denied service in the army until The Law of the Twelve Tables (450 B.C.) was written out. This gave formulation to the laws in which both classes of wealth would be held accountable to. This style of laws and culture was carried into our Western Hemisphere when the United States was formed. As a result, while we don't necessarily copy their every policy, we both have a legal code. The SPQR (Senatus Populusque Romanum) designated the laws and principles which become followed. Those within the SPQR were mostly the Roman Senate and the Roman People. In comparison to our nation, Rome seemed to have had a motive that valued growth over sustainability because of their 1-year terms which could be turned into 6-month dictatorship terms in time of crisis. As for a Legislative branch, there aren't very many similarities, as the Roman senators would rule for life and there were 300 of them! The United States only has 2 senators per state (100 total) which serve six-year terms. Lastly, as for the Judicial Branch, Rome continues to take a faster approach than that of the modern-day United States. Rather than decide members of the Assembly which serve for life (as in the United States Supreme Court, Rome decided one-year terms would better suit their objectives. Moving onto laws, The United States is definitely more inclusive and open to growth from all aspects of society. Unlike The United States, Rome withheld the Twelve Tables which possessed the laws in the Forum, in these tablets only free-born male citizens were protected. In our Bill of Rights (The US) everyone is issued equivalent freedom regardless of gender, religion, and ethnicity.
Personal Analysis:
During both states of the time, I believe each government held its own as far as the ruling of its citizens. Although Rome limited what the majority of their population was able to do, I feel it's important to understand that at the time, they were taking initiative to equality which we face today. I find it would be quite hard to immediately adapt to the freedoms we have today back then instantly. Rather, their works towards growing a more inclusive society crossed into our formulation of laws which held in higher regard the safety and prosperity of all citizens over a select few. And of course, even hundreds of years ago we The United States still struggled with some aspects of equality, but unlike the Romans, we seem open to adjustment as we deem necessary.
Works Cited:
With that said, I conclude my May 12th Blog Post. Stay safe and thanks for reading!
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