This person held absolute power in the Roman monarchy.
Kings.
These two leaders shared power at the top of the Republic.
Consuls
The Roman Empire began when this man became the first emperor.
Augustus.
This general famously crossed the Alps with elephants to attack Rome.
Hannibal
In this system, citizens elected their leaders.
The Republic.
These citizens worked their land and fought in Rome’s early armies.
Soldier-farmers
This official protected the rights of the plebeians.
Tribune of the Plebs.
This governing system placed nearly all political, legal, and military power in the hands of a single ruler.
Roman Empire
er story sparked the revolt that ended the monarchy.
Lucretia
In this system, one ruler controlled the state, either a king or emperor.
Monarchy/Empire
This mythical event led to the overthrow of the last Roman king in 509 BCE.
The rape of Lucretia.
This group gave advice, controlled finances, and influenced foreign policy.
The Senate.
These individuals managed different provinces of the Empire and were appointed directly by the emperor to maintain order, collect taxes, and enforce Roman law.
Provincial governors.
This legendary founder became Rome’s first king and created many of its earliest political institutions.
Romulus.
This major political shift happened when power moved away from elected magistrates and the Senate and became concentrated under a single ruler.
The transition from Republic to Empire.
This man led the revolt that ended the monarchy and helped form the Republic.
Lucius Junius Brutus
This judge interpreted laws and could govern when consuls were away.
Praetor.
During the Empire, this person had nearly unlimited political and military power.
The emperor.
This political alliance of Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey unofficially controlled Rome and weakened the traditional Republic.
First Triumvirate.
This body created laws and held enormous influence during the Republic.
The Senate.
Under the monarchy, kings often ruled with the support of these wealthy families.
Patricians/nobles.
This leader was chosen only during emergencies and ruled for six months.
Dictator.
Under the Empire, this group kept some status but lost much political power.
Nobility.
This Roman leader’s assassination in 44 BCE helped bring the Republic to an end.
Julius Caesar.
These two groups often competed for political influence in Rome, shaping laws, elections, and reforms throughout both the Republic and the Empire.
The patricians and the plebeians.