Download Chap. 14 Section 1 and 2 Notes

Ch. 14 The Roman Republic
Section 1 The Government
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2 consuls were at the head of the republic (1-year terms)
They were administrators and military leaders
Each had a power to veto and both had to agree before any law was passed
Senate was next in importance
Made up of 300 men, chosen for life, that handled the daily problems of
gov’t and advised the consuls
It discussed ways to deal with other countries, proposed public laws, and
approved contracts for building roads/temples
Judges, assemblies, and tribunes were next below the Senate
All Roman citizens (except plebeians) belonged to the assemblies
Assemblies could also declare war or agree to peace terms
Judges made sure citizens followed laws and they sentenced criminals
They also had the power/ability to appeal death sentences in certain cases
Tribunes kept the rest of the gov’t in check and looked out for the rights of
other plebeians
The laws of the Twelve Tables were mostly about wills, property rights, and
court actions
Over time, Rome’s government became more democratic and people could
no longer be sold into slavery because of debt and plebeians could also
hold public office
Section 2 Roman Expansion
 To protect their new boundaries, Romans either conquered their neighbors
or made alliances with them
 By 146 B.C., Rome ruled most of the Mediterranean world
 Able to gain territory because of their strong army, which was organized
into legions, divisions of Roman soldiers
 Each legion contained approx 5,000 legionaries, or soldiers
 Advantages of a legion- since the legion was smaller than a phalanx it could
move faster, groups within a legion could branch off and fight in any
direction (phalanx didn’t)
 The Romans were mild rulers
 At first they did not tax the people they conquered
 Also let conquered people keep their own govt’s and take care of their own
affairs
 Some even allowed to become Roman citizens
 In return, the conquered people were expected to serve in the Roman army
and to support Rome’s foreign policy as well (many enemies became loyal
allies to Rome as a result)