Grade 6 · Social Studies · Unit 3 of 8
The Roman Republic
Consuls, Senate and the people
What your child practises
The Roman Republic from 509 BCE (traditional date): two consuls, the Senate, patricians and plebeians, tribunes, the Twelve Tables, checks and balances, and the end of the Republic under Augustus.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: Roman Republic representative democracy · how Rome elected officials, shared power between two consuls and a Senate, and gave plebeians a voice
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Roman officials served short terms. Why?
- So they were paid every week
- So no one could hold power for too long
- So they could rest
Show answer
So no one could hold power for too long
Hint: Short terms limited power.
Question 2
Which group in the Republic held a Senate seat?
- Enslaved workers
- Experienced leaders, mostly from wealthy families
- Foreign soldiers
Show answer
Experienced leaders, mostly from wealthy families
Hint: At first, senators were mostly patricians.
Question 3
How was Roman voting different from Canada's today?
- Everyone aged 18 voted equally
- Women voted but men did not
- Only male citizens voted, and wealthier citizens' votes often counted for more
Show answer
Only male citizens voted, and wealthier citizens' votes often counted for more
Hint: Voting was limited and not equal.
Question 4
What did the Twelve Tables help ordinary Romans do?
- Avoid all taxes
- Know their rights and the rules
- Become senators automatically
Show answer
Know their rights and the rules
Hint: Written laws could be read by anyone.
Question 5
Rome's Republic was a representative democracy of a kind. Citizens did what?
- Voted on every law in one big meeting
- Voted for officials to lead for them
- Had no vote at all
Show answer
Voted for officials to lead for them
Hint: Elected magistrates led the government.
Question 6
Under the Republic, what could one consul do to the other's decision?
- Veto it
- Make it a law
- Send it to a king
Show answer
Veto it
Hint: Veto means 'I forbid'.