The Roman Constitution-Checks and Balances, Rule of Law, and Lex Hortensia
The Roman Constitution was written after removing the Etruscan rulers. The government consisted of executive and legislative branches. Two patrician officials became the consuls and were the leaders of the executive branch. Senators were advisers and leaders of many important decisions. Today we use a system of checks and balances that was first instituted by the Romans. When the plebeians insisted more equality between the patricians and themselves the twelve tables were created. These laws were the first established records of specified positions and their powers. The twelve tables were also part of the Roman rule of law. These laws created fair punishment for all. They were written so everyone understood the rules and obeyed them.
The Lex Hortensia is known as the separating point between the early republic and the middle republic. When the plebeian soldiers withdrew from Rome, the dictator Quintus Hortensius was appointed.