how was the society of the Roman republic organized? how did it balance the dangers of internal division and external invasion?
how is this answer:
The society of the Roman Republic was divided into two groups: the plebians and the patricians. The patrician group consisted of aristocratic families with lots of land, descended from Rome's original senators. They controlled the centuriate assembly and many other parts of Roman life, along with being the only people able to be consuls, magistrates and senators. The plebians,on the other hand, were a much larger group consisting of landholders, artisans, merchants and small farmers. They were citizens, but did not have the same rights as patricians, as they could not be elected to government offices and could not marry patricians. However to balance the danger of internal division between these classes, the council of the plebs was created to gain many rights for the plebian, making them almost equal with the patricians, though it was not a democracy.
which social condition was emphasized during the renaissance
To understand the organization of the society in the Roman Republic, it is helpful to understand the two main classes within it: the patricians and the plebeians.
The patricians were the aristocratic families who held vast amounts of land and were descended from Rome's original senators. They had significant influence and power and controlled key aspects of Roman life, such as the centuriate assembly. Moreover, they were the only ones eligible to hold high-ranking positions in government, like consuls, magistrates, and senators.
On the other hand, the plebeians formed a larger group comprising landholders, artisans, merchants, and small farmers. While they were citizens, they did not enjoy the same rights and privileges as the patricians. For instance, they were barred from holding political offices and marrying patricians.
To address the dangers of internal division between these two classes, the Romans established the council of the plebs. This council aimed to secure and protect the rights and interests of the plebeians, effectively creating a balance of power between the classes. Through the power of the council, the plebeians gained many rights and concessions, increasingly approaching equality with the patricians.
However, it is essential to note that the Roman Republic was not a full-fledged democracy. Power was still largely held by the patricians, and the council of the plebs was a step towards mitigating internal conflicts rather than establishing a true democratic system.
As for external invasion, the Roman Republic relied on a well-organized military. It maintained a strong army to defend its territories and expand its influence. Rome's military prowess played a crucial role in dissuading external threats and protecting the republic from invasion.
In summary, the society of the Roman Republic was divided into patricians and plebeians. The patricians held most of the power and controlled key aspects of Roman life, while the plebeians had fewer rights but gained more through the council of the plebs. The Roman Republic balanced the dangers of internal division by providing some level of representation for the plebeians. To address external invasion, Rome relied on its robust military capabilities.