Citizenship in Rome

People were not expendable in Rome. Unlike Athens, women were citizens and could

hold property and conquered people were given citizenship. Romes founder, Romulus, fought

as enemies and then hailed as fellow citizens several nations on the very same day. (Document

C) Rome was more organized, fair, and diverse; it was this way because of its small senate,

granting of citizenship, and large population of people from many different lands.

The Roman Senate held about three hundred men which meant a more organized process

of conveying opinions to fellow leaders. These men came from the oldest Roman families and

inherited their seats. (Document F) This meant that they were born and raised to lead and

probably had a healthy respect for their fellow leaders. The Roman Senate differed greatly from

the Athenian Assembly because it relied on reason and order instead of a random, screaming

mass placed into a multi-tiered government. The Roman Senate governed with purpose and a fair

hand, and in turn rome was great and powerful.

Rome was more fair from its very beginning. Its founder, Romulus, granted citizenship to

the people that he conquered. People were not expendable, meaning no ostrafication and also

granting citizenship to women and sons of slaves. The Romans more freely gave [citizenship]

away. (Document C) Rome also didnt require mandatory government participation meaning that

only people who were truly interested in government could help make decisions. Romes

granting of citizenship also made it a more diverse land.

Rome was a huge republic with about 45 million people. This meant a very diverse

population, especially since citizenship was granted to so many. People all over Rome had

opportunities to socialize and sometimes even marry, which couldve meant children hailing
from two different ethnicities. Romans also had more personal pride since, a Roman citizen was

judged more by how he behaved with his family, his neighbors, and his property. (Background

Essay) A mandatory military service also meant a stronger loyalty to Rome itself. A strong

respect for citizenship, Rome, and fellow people made Rome more efficient than Athens.

Rome was better than Athens because it was more organized, fair, and diverse. The

Roman Senate was smaller which meant thoughts and ideas could be expressed in a less chaotic

way, more people were granted citizenship , and a large population meant more diversity. Rome

had a better system of government in every sense: from granting citizenship to participation in

government. The Romans developed a system the kept their people loyal to them.