The Roman Republic was established in 509 B.C., after Roman nobles overthrew the king. The new government kept many features of the earlier system, including the Senate and citizen assemblies. Two elected officials called consuls headed the government. The consuls shared power, but either consul could veto the actions of the other. A consul served for only a year.
The Senate was the most powerful government body of the Roman Republic. The Senate conducted foreign policy, passed decrees, and handled the government's finances. Senators, unlike consuls, served for life. At first, all senators were patricians. Patricians were members of Rome's oldest and richest families. …
