Internet History Sourcebooks Project: Ancient History - Roman Republic Checks and Balances
Overview
Project Location: History Department of Fordham University, New York.
Components: Part of the Internet Ancient History Sourcebook and related to medieval studies.
Text Permissions: Public domain and copy-permitted texts for educational and personal use.
Design: Created by Paul Halsall on January 26, 1996, with revisions.
Comparison of American and Roman Systems
American System
Based on Balance of Powers/Functions
Executive: President
Legislative: Congress
Judicial: Supreme Court
Legitimate Interest: That of the people.
Roman System
Based on Balance of Interests
Monarchical:
Components: 2 Consuls and other magistrates
Roles: Directed government and army, acted as judges, could issue edicts, chief priest duties
Basis of Power: Possess imperium (right to rule), need for leadership
Limits: One-year term, mutual veto power
Aristocratic:
Component: Senate
Roles: Controlled state budget, could pass laws
Basis of Power: Members were the richest men in Rome.
Limits: Could not control army, required majority soldiers
Democratic:
Components: Assembly of Tribes and Tribune
Roles: Approved/rejected laws, decided on war, Tribune could veto magistrate actions, acted as final court
Basis of Power: Provided most of the soldiers
Limits: Could not suggest laws, often paid as clients by the elite
Source and Credits
Chart by: Paul Halsall
Project Support: Fordham University, Fordham University History Department, and Fordham Center for Medieval Studies
Legal Note: IHSP is independent of Fordham University, following copyright laws but not institutionally owned by Fordham, which is not liable for legal actions.