Study Guide to Zoch, Chapters 6–7
Items and questions on this guide are likely to appear on your next quiz, during which you may
use the notes you have taken on the following. The use of another student’s notes will be treated
as academic dishonesty.
Ch. 6. The Res Publica
1. What does the word “Republic” mean according to its Latin roots?
res publica “Property of the People”
2. How many consuls were there? How long did their term last? What were the
powers of consular rank?
There were two consuls. One year. They were chief magistrates of Rome
and commanders-in-chief of the armies; he position conferred great glory
and even nobility. The two consuls assumed the king’s position and
authority.
3. Under what circumstances was a dictator appointed? How long was a dictator
supposed to serve?
Appointed only during times of national crisis, when an enemy threatened
Rome or its allies and the situation demanded prompt, unanimous, and
decisive leadership of the Romans or when the consuls were disabled or
otherwise unable to perform their duties. Six months at most though it
was customary for them to step down at the end of the crisis.
4. How often and for how long were censors elected? What were the responsibilities
and powers of that office?
They were in charge of the census conducted every five years. They
performed the lustrum. They revised the senate list. A senator who had
lapsed in his morals could be struck from the list by the censors. Censors
supervised public morals and occasionally passed sumptuary laws (laws
designed to curb the love of luxury. They also awarded government
contracts for, say, collecting, taxes in the provinces or building bridges
and roads.
5. How much imperium did praetors have? What was the main function of the
praetorship?
Less than that of the souls, consuls; the praetors were seen as junior
colleagues of the consuls, they only had six lictors. The praetor, like the
consul, was allowed to sit in a sella curulis. Being elected praetor made
one a senator. There were two types some were responsible for the
administration of justice in Rome, the praetor urbanus; the praetor
peregrinus, dealt with lawsuits in which one or both of the parties were
foreigners. Praetors could convene and lead the senate when the consuls
were unable or out of Rome.
