The Roman Republic had two main institutions of government: the public assembly and the Senate. Here are some key differences between these two institutions:
Composition: The public assembly was made up of all male Roman citizens, while the Senate was made up of about 300 wealthy and influential men, known as senators.
Powers: The public assembly had the power to pass laws, declare war, and make decisions about foreign policy, while the Senate had an advisory role and could make recommendations to the public assembly. However, the Senate had significant influence over political decisions, and its members often held other important positions in government.
Meetings: The public assembly met regularly, usually in the Forum Romanum or other public spaces, to discuss and vote on important issues. The Senate met in the Curia Hostilia, a building located near the Forum, and usually met less frequently than the public assembly.
Procedures: The public assembly had a more informal and flexible structure, with different voting procedures depending on the issue at hand. The Senate had more formal procedures and was often guided by strict rules of debate and procedure.
Representation: The public assembly was seen as a more democratic institution, as all male citizens had a voice and a vote. The Senate was seen as an elitist institution, dominated by wealthy and influential men.
Overall, the public assembly and the Senate had different functions and roles in the Roman Republic, with the public assembly representing the voice of the people and the Senate representing the interests of the Roman elite.