How the Roman Republic was governed: consuls, Senate and assemblies

Grade 6 Social Studies Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   The cell marked ? is blank. Tala's chart has a blank: how long did consuls serve?

   • Until they chose to stop
   • Ten years
   • For life
   • A single year

2. Read this first

   Checks on power in the Republic

   Check	How it worked
   Two consuls	neither consul ruled alone, and each could veto the other
   One-year terms	consuls served for a single year
   Tribunes of the plebs	ten tribunes from 457 BCE; they could veto the actions of the consuls and the Senate
   Patricians and plebeians	at first only patricians, the old leading families, could hold office; over time every office opened to plebeians, the common people

3. 2.

   Who could veto the actions of the consuls and the Senate, Zee asks?

   • A king
   • The tribunes of the plebs
   • No one
   • The patricians alone
4. 3.

   Why have two consuls instead of one, Ari asks?

   • So neither could rule alone
   • So one could be king
   • So they could rule for life
   • Because Rome had two cities
5. 4.

   How did tribunes check the power of consuls and the Senate, Esme asks?

   • They chose the consuls for life
   • They led the army
   • They agreed to each action
   • They could veto their actions
6. 5.

   Who were the patricians, Jun asks?

   • The ten tribunes
   • The common people
   • Visitors from Greece
   • Rome's old leading families
7. 6.

   Who were the plebeians, Kira asks?

   • The Senate
   • The common people
   • The old leading families
   • The two consuls
8. 7.

   What changed over time for plebeians, Luz asks?

   • They became patricians
   • They lost their offices
   • They could never vote
   • Every office opened to them
9. 8.

   Which claim does the chart support best, Milo asks?

   • One consul ruled Rome alone
   • Rome spread power so no one ruled alone
   • Rome had no checks on power
   • The tribunes ruled as kings
10. 9.

    Noah's friend says the Republic gave plebeians every office from the start. What is the best reply?

    • Agree: plebeians were the patricians
    • Disagree: plebeians held no office
    • Disagree: they gained offices over time
    • Agree: it was equal for them from the start
11. 10.

    Pia's friend says a veto means saying yes. What is the best reply?

    • Disagree: a veto says no
    • Disagree: veto means a king
    • Agree: veto means vote
    • Agree: veto means yes