Roman Republic Government & Italica's History

The Roman Republic: Government and Structure

The Roman Republic was characterized by a republican system of government. Citizens elected a number of magistrates responsible for different aspects of the city's organization and functioning. This system included:

Citizen Assemblies (Comitia)

• Comitia Curiata: Dating back to the monarchical era.
• Comitia Centuriata: Based on the division of citizens into 193 centuries (from the time of Servius Tullius). This assembly elected senior magistrates and was involved in matters of peace and war.
• Comitia Tributa: Based on the grouping of citizens into 35 tribes. This assembly elected lower magistrates and military tribunes.

Senior Magistrates

Senior magistrates shared three key characteristics: annuity, collegiality, and accountability. These magistrates included:

• Two Consuls: Held imperium (power to command) and potestas (authority).
• Two Praetors: Specialized in legal matters.
• Two Censors: Conducted the census of citizens.

In times of extreme danger to the state, all powers could be temporarily (for six months) vested in a Dictator.

Junior Magistrates

• Four Aediles (two plebeian and two patrician): Managed public works, including streets, markets, pipelines, public games, and resource management.
• Two Quaestors: Handled finances and tax collection.
• Ten Tribunes of the Plebs: Protected the rights of commoners and possessed the power of veto.

The Roman Senate

The Senate consisted of 300 members appointed for life by the censor. Members were chosen from citizens who had previously held senior magistracies. The Senate's responsibilities included foreign affairs, religious matters, finances, the recruitment of legions, and oversight of magistrates.

Italica: A Roman City

Italica, located in present-day Santiponce, Spain, has a rich history:

• Founded in 206 BC, following the Carthaginian defeat at the Battle of Ilipa during the Second Punic War. Land was redistributed among legionaries to create a settlement for veterans.
• During the Imperial era, Italica continued to grow, reaching its peak at the end of the 1st century AD and the first half of the 2nd century AD.

Monuments of Italica

• Temple of Trajan: A rectangular temple with eight columns on its facade.
• Baths: Public bathing facilities.
• Theater: With a capacity of 3,000 spectators.
• Amphitheater: Could hold 20,000 spectators, featuring a podium and access tunnels.
• Domus (Houses): Classified by decorative themes, such as the House of Neptune, the House of the Birds, and the Planetarium.

A Glimpse into Daily Life (Colloquium)

A short dialogue offers a glimpse into daily life:

"What shall we do now?"
"Let's walk along the road and into the villa."

"Was it made by slaves?"
"The slaves are tired because they work too much. They are sitting on the patio."

"Ha, ha, ha! Do *you* work? What do *we* do?"
"I work very hard. I pick roses and bring them to the villa. The villa is not ugly with my roses, but beautiful."