A Crisis in the Roman Republic
Start
Year: 200 BCE - the height of the Roman Republic. Location: Rome Rome did away with its mean old king and invented something called a republic. Power is shared: citizens vote, leaders get elected (not forever), two consuls boss each other around so no one acts like a king, the Sentate gives smart advice, and tribunes can say "VETO!". Situation: Rome is in danger. An enemy army is marching toward the center of Rome. They have destoryed Roman resources on the path to Rome. Citizens are afraid. Leaders must act quickly!
continue
Keeping the ideals of the Roman Republic in mind, what will you choose?
The Senate was a council of experienced elders who avised leaders like the consuls, ensuring wisdom over haste. The Senators gather to debate. Many voices speak. Some want war while some advocate for peace. What do they advise the 2 consuls?
The consuls head to the Assembly. Citizens are watching closely. They gather in the assembly. They demand to be heard. The assembly:
Be mindful as to what this could lead to. You are giving the dictator great power to act alone.
Leaders agree to appoint a dictator for a short time to handle the emergency.
Remove the time limit to give the dictator unlimited power
Limit the dictator's power to 6 months
Good decision! This choice shows that you value the role of the Senate and Consuls and do not want to act without their support.
Next
The dictator prepares the army.
Report decisions back to the Senate and Consuls for their approval
Dictator should make all decisions alone
Be mindful as to what this could lead to. You are giving the dictator great power to act alone.
Next
The enemy hears that a dictator has been appointed. His army is marching to meet them. The enemy decides to retreat. Rome's newly appointed dictator should
The Consuls prepare for war. Do they:
Congrats! You understood the role of a dictator. Your decisions helped keep the enemy away and Rome safe.
Next
OH NO!
You have created an environment for 1 person to remain in charge. This is not what Rome wanted. You have failed the Republic and put it on course to be ruled by one person again.
Next
Did your choices protect the Republic or weaken it?
Option 4 - Let the Senate and Assembly handle the crisis
You helped protect the Republic! The Senate debated and shared ideas. You consulted the Assembly and gathered their ideas. Decisions were made by many and not one person.
If you picked a dictator to take over and removed his term limit of 6-months, you moved Rome closer to one-person rule! Dictators were supposed to serve for a short time (usually 6 months). They were only chosen during emergencies. Even though they were temporary, they reduced shared power. Too much power in one person's hands could weaken the Republic.
Option 1 - Dictator with full power indefinitely
Option 2 - Dictator with limited power
You understood the role of a dictator and knew that the Romans would not want 1 man to have control for longer than 6 months.
Option 3 - Meet with the Senate and the Assembly and allow the Consuls to attack
You understood that the Senate advises the Consuls. You also knew that the citizens in the assembly must be heard. You value the respective roles of the Senate and Assembly. Your wise decisions defended the republic! Well done!
Continue
Let's Review
2 Consuls
Assembly
The Roman Assembly was made up of regular Roman citizens (free men who were citizens of Rome).
These citizens voted on laws.
They choose the consuls each year
Senate
Gave advice about laws Wealthy men To qualify for membership, a citizen had to own property valued at 1 million sesterces—a huge fortune. Most senators were former magistrates, or elected officials, whose terms had ended.
Top leaders of the government In charge of the military They made sure laws were carried out Served for 1 year
Continue
Decisive victory against the enemy
Continue
Let's Play!
Now we will act as members of the Roman Republic government!
Vamosi - Roman Republic Scenario
Middle School
Created on March 3, 2026
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Transcript
A Crisis in the Roman Republic
Start
Year: 200 BCE - the height of the Roman Republic. Location: Rome Rome did away with its mean old king and invented something called a republic. Power is shared: citizens vote, leaders get elected (not forever), two consuls boss each other around so no one acts like a king, the Sentate gives smart advice, and tribunes can say "VETO!". Situation: Rome is in danger. An enemy army is marching toward the center of Rome. They have destoryed Roman resources on the path to Rome. Citizens are afraid. Leaders must act quickly!
continue
Keeping the ideals of the Roman Republic in mind, what will you choose?
The Senate was a council of experienced elders who avised leaders like the consuls, ensuring wisdom over haste. The Senators gather to debate. Many voices speak. Some want war while some advocate for peace. What do they advise the 2 consuls?
The consuls head to the Assembly. Citizens are watching closely. They gather in the assembly. They demand to be heard. The assembly:
Be mindful as to what this could lead to. You are giving the dictator great power to act alone.
Leaders agree to appoint a dictator for a short time to handle the emergency.
Remove the time limit to give the dictator unlimited power
Limit the dictator's power to 6 months
Good decision! This choice shows that you value the role of the Senate and Consuls and do not want to act without their support.
Next
The dictator prepares the army.
Report decisions back to the Senate and Consuls for their approval
Dictator should make all decisions alone
Be mindful as to what this could lead to. You are giving the dictator great power to act alone.
Next
The enemy hears that a dictator has been appointed. His army is marching to meet them. The enemy decides to retreat. Rome's newly appointed dictator should
The Consuls prepare for war. Do they:
Congrats! You understood the role of a dictator. Your decisions helped keep the enemy away and Rome safe.
Next
OH NO!
You have created an environment for 1 person to remain in charge. This is not what Rome wanted. You have failed the Republic and put it on course to be ruled by one person again.
Next
Did your choices protect the Republic or weaken it?
Option 4 - Let the Senate and Assembly handle the crisis
You helped protect the Republic! The Senate debated and shared ideas. You consulted the Assembly and gathered their ideas. Decisions were made by many and not one person.
If you picked a dictator to take over and removed his term limit of 6-months, you moved Rome closer to one-person rule! Dictators were supposed to serve for a short time (usually 6 months). They were only chosen during emergencies. Even though they were temporary, they reduced shared power. Too much power in one person's hands could weaken the Republic.
Option 1 - Dictator with full power indefinitely
Option 2 - Dictator with limited power
You understood the role of a dictator and knew that the Romans would not want 1 man to have control for longer than 6 months.
Option 3 - Meet with the Senate and the Assembly and allow the Consuls to attack
You understood that the Senate advises the Consuls. You also knew that the citizens in the assembly must be heard. You value the respective roles of the Senate and Assembly. Your wise decisions defended the republic! Well done!
Continue
Let's Review
2 Consuls
Assembly
The Roman Assembly was made up of regular Roman citizens (free men who were citizens of Rome). These citizens voted on laws. They choose the consuls each year
Senate
Gave advice about laws Wealthy men To qualify for membership, a citizen had to own property valued at 1 million sesterces—a huge fortune. Most senators were former magistrates, or elected officials, whose terms had ended.
Top leaders of the government In charge of the military They made sure laws were carried out Served for 1 year
Continue
Decisive victory against the enemy
Continue
Let's Play!
Now we will act as members of the Roman Republic government!