CLA233H1 Lecture Notes - Asteroid Family, Buto, Imperium
Document Summary
Moderate democracy : more responsibilities means more rights, this basic principle is never radically challenged. Can veto any other magistrate (including colleagues) except the dictator. Theoretically, the aristocracy was open, but practically speaking it was closed. Senate consisted mostly of the same families (generation after generation) Best way to get into senate if not part of senatorial family was through a position with imperium (elected by centuriate assembly) No one allowed to get too prominent; if this did happen person would be accused of aspiring to tyranny or monarchy. Any outsider admitted to the closed aristocracy would have perpetuated the old boys" mindset. Citizens could not propose legislature, just say yes or no. Latin rights (roman property rights, no voting rights) Freedmen (usually have latin rights, but later on, have roman rights) Expected to stay close to their former masters. Novus homo: only 12 people in 300 years were elected to the consulship whose families have never held it before.
