MMW 12 Chapter Rome: On the Roman Constitution

• School: UCSD
• Department: Making of the Modern World
• Course: MMW 12
• Professor: Alexander B Stewart

Document Summary

Polybius (cid:862)o(cid:374) the ro(cid:373)a(cid:374) co(cid:374)stitutio(cid:374) at its pri(cid:373)e(cid:863) Many important matters in rome were handled by the senate: controlled treasury, power to proclaim war on others, etc. Consuls have absolute power over military and absolute authority in field. This made the entire roman government a democracy. Senate: people (cid:373)ust ratify the e(cid:374)ate"s decrees/ pass or reject laws depends and must act in favor of the people. Must take their wishes into account when it comes to dealing with local/ foreign affairs: everyone is a contractor since they are all engaged with anything that comes into. Senate has power over all these transactions. Consul can subject people to their will on a campaign. These 3 powers constantly check each other and balance out maintains a functioning society since each power wants to accomplish the matter at hand: they must work together, system corrects and punishes abuses of power.