Analyze the Roman Republic (509-27 BCE) — its founding mythology (Aeneas, Romulus and Remus, Cincinnatus), mixed-constitution governance (2 Consuls + Senate + Plebeian Tribunes + popular assemblies), the Conflict of the Orders 494-287 BCE (patricians vs plebeians), the Twelve Tables c. 450 BCE, and Cicero's De Re Publica political theory — per Mary Beard's SPQR scholarship
Exercise
Difficulty 2
~3 min
hist.g6.f.ex_51
Short Response
Prompt
What does SPQR stand for and what does it represent? Why did US Founders care about Roman Republic governance?
How it's presented
mode
text
Answer criteria
type
rubric scored writing
rubric
3 stars: SPQR = Senatus Populusque Romanus = 'The Senate and the People of Rome' + US Founders studied mixed-constitution theory + George Washington compared to Cincinnatus. 2 stars: 2 of 3. 1 star: 1. 0: 0.
Hints
- SPQR is on Roman legionary standards.
- Cicero + Cincinnatus + mixed-constitution influenced Founders.
Misconceptions to watch
- Treating SPQR as decorative only
- Forgetting Roman influence on US Founding