Greek and Roman Concepts of Citizenship and Government

Greek and Roman Concepts of Citizenship and Government Joe Wickenden, Sarah Dowling, Ginger Snyder, Leone Hansen HIS/341 October 27, 2014 Joel Getz Greek and Roman Concepts of Citizenship and Government The definition of citizenship in Greek and Roman cultures can be described much differently than the current democratic definition of contemporary nations. The Roman Empire differed from the Athenian Amphictyony and the Assyrian Empire as well as the sunder later emperors such as Vespasian. There were also structural problems within the government of the Roman Empire. This paper will explore the models of government and citizenship that Ancient Roman and Greek peoples employed along with how well they worked. Citizenship in†¦show more content†¦(Ancient Civilizations, 2014). They were responsible for establishing the type of government called a republic. A republic is a type of government that expects an active role from every citizen, not just the politicians in power. Each citizen was responsible for electing representatives that would rule on their behalf. The citizens were the focus of the Roman Republic. The status of a citizen evolved dramatically throughout the Roman Republic. All males over 15 that were true descendants of the original tribe became citizens (Ancient Civilizations, 2014). Full citizens of Rome had many privileges such as voting, practicing commerce, holding public office, and marrying freeborn citizens to name a few. Some citizens that were not considered full citizens maintained some rights, but could not vote or hold office. A third type of citizen could not hold office or marry free born women but could practice commerce and vote. Citizensâ⠂¬â„¢ rights would change throughout the Roman republic, but the republic aspect did not change. An important aspect of the Roman Government was the Senate. The Senate was first set up as a group of 100, then later the Roman Kings expanded the group to 300 (Ancient Civilizations, 2014). The senate convened and passed laws and practiced skills that would help to persuade ruling bodies. The Roman Empire was in a location that benefited the empires defense against enemies. The location of the Roman Empire in the MediterraneanShow MoreRelatedThe Greek and Roman Influence over Modern America1431 Words   |  6 PagesThe Greek and Roman Influence over Modern America The Greeks and the Romans were among the most influential societies in the history of the world. Evidence of Greek or Roman influence can be found in almost every culture or country that has ever existed. Though both cultures were different in practice and incredibly competitive with one another, their politics and their beliefs set the stage for future civilizations, including those of the modern world. 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