Download Chapter 10- The Roman Republic

CHAPTER 10
THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
Study Guide Answers
1. Describe the geography of Italy.
• In geography terms, Italy is a peninsula.
• It has a rugged landscape with many
mountains and hills. It is surrounded by
seas on three sides and has many
important rivers throughout.
2. Name the two mountain ranges and
their location.
• Alps- Northern Italy
• Apennines-
Central/Middle
3. What is the capital of Italy? Who
founded it?
• The capital of Italy is Rome.
• It was founded by Romulus and
Remus. The name “Rome” comes
from Romulus.
4. Explain the importance of the Tiber
River to Rome.
• Rome was built on the banks of the Tiber
river. It was built there to honor the spot
where Romulus and Remus were rescued
by the wolf.
• The river is also important because it is a
freshwater source and an avenue for trade.
5. Who was Aeneas? What epic poem
was written about him and by whom?
• The Trojan hero that united the Latin tribes
in Italy. He is the ancestor of Romulus and
Remus.
• Virgil wrote the epic poem the Aeneid to tell
the story of Aeneas travels to Italy from
Troy.
6. Explain the Etruscans contributions to
Roman society?
• They were people that lived north of Rome
but lived there before Rome was founded.
They built large temples in Rome, taught
Romans their alphabet, and built Rome’s
first sewer.
• Many of Rome’s earliest Kings were
Etruscan.
7. Why was the last Roman King
overthrown?
• He was very cruel and had many people
killed.
• The Roman nobles knew things would not
improve so they had to overthrow him.
8. Who was Cincinnatus?
What was he known for?
• He was farmer in Rome that was chosen to
be dictator in 458 BC because Rome was
being attacked.
• He quickly defeated his enemies and left
his job as dictator well before his six month
term was up.
• He is viewed as a strong and noble leader.
9. What event was most influential in
causing the patricians to change the
Roman government?
• Plebeians formed a council and elected
their own officials.
10. Explain the Roman class system. What
characterized each group?
11. Explain the three parts of Rome’s tripartite government
system that was established during the Roman Republic?
Part 1- Magistrates- run the city and manage the army. Top two
magistrates were the consuls. Two consuls must always be in
place so that one does not gain more power than the other.
Both magistrates and consuls were elected annually.
Part 2- Senate- served for life- very influential- job was the
advise the consuls, had been around before the Republic. First
was only Patricians- but later wealthy Plebeians could join too.
Part 3- Two branch system- both elected annually
• Assemblies- both classes participated- their primary job was to
elect the magistrates who ran the city of Rome. Also approved
laws and could declare war
• Tribunes- office could only be held by Plebeians and controlled
the power of the veto
12. In what way was the Roman law of the Twelve
tables similar to the U.S. constitution?
• They both were written to protect people’s
rights.
13. What are examples of Roman civic
duty?
• Civic duty was important to Romans. They did the
following activities to improve their society:
• Attend assembly meetings
• Vote in elections
• Hold public office
14. Where were all activities held in Rome? It’s
translation means “public place.”
• The Forum
15. What do togas symbolize?
• Citizenship
16. Why did the Romans expand their
trade network?
• They needed to bring in food from the other
parts of the Mediterranean for their growing
population.
17. Explain how the Roman army was
divided and key points about it.
• The Roman army was very large, strong, and
organized.
• Rome’s army was divided into legions. A
legion was a group of soldiers—as many as
6,000.
• Legions of 6,000 soldiers were divided into
groups called centuries, which had 100
soldiers.
• By dividing the army into legions and then into
small groups called centuries, it allowed the
Roman army to quickly adapt to their enemies.
18. Describe the importance of Hannibal in the
Punic Wars. When did he attack Rome?
• Hannibal considered to be one of the
greatest military generals of the ancient
world.
• He led an attack on Rome in 218 BC and
began the second Punic War.
19. Why could Roman coins be found
throughout the Mediterranean?
• Roman influence and wealth spread
throughout the region as they increased
trade to feed their populations.
20. Describe the Punic Wars
• The Punic Wars were a series of 3 wars against
Carthage, a city in Northern Africa that lasted over the
course of a 120 years.
• During the first and second Punic War, Carthage attacked
Rome first. Rome won both wars.
• During the 2nd fought Hannibal in many battles and finally
defeated him in the battle of Zama.
• During the last Punic War, the Romans attack Carthage,
and then upon their defeat of Carthage burn the city, kill
most of its people, sell the rest into slavery, and throw salt
over where the city used to be so nothing would ever
grow there again.
21. What effect did the killing of the Gracchus
brothers had on Roman politics?
• Romans saw that violence could be used
as a political weapon.
22. What was Gaius Marius most known
for?
• He allowed poor men to join the Roman armies and
became a great military leader with great influence
because of this.
23. Who was Lucius Cornelius Sulla?
What is he most remembered for?
• Lucius Cornelius Sulla became a consul in
88 BC and quickly became a rival of Gaius
Marius.
• He created his own army, which led to a
civil war in Rome.
• Sulla declared himself as dictator and used
his power to punish enemies.
• Keep the Senate though, and increased it’s
power to ensure his power.
24. What happened to Spartacus and his
followers following the end of their rebellion?
• Spartacus dies in battle.
• The rebellion falls apart- the slaves are
captured.
• Marcus Crassus crucifies 6,000 of
Spartacus's followers on the road between
Rome and Capua to set an example.
Extended Response Review
• Describe the three parts of the Roman
Republic tripartite government.
• Explain the impact that Roman Republic
government had on the United States
current system of government. Know at
least 3 specific examples.
Roman Republic Tripartite Government
Part 1- Magistrates- run the city and manage the army. Top
two magistrates were the consuls. Two consuls must
always be in place so that one does not gain more power
than the other.
Both magistrates and consuls were elected annually.
Part 2- Senate- served for life- very influential- job was the
advise the consuls, had been around before the Republic.
First was only Patricians- but later wealthy Plebeians could
join too.
Part 3- Two branch system- both elected annually
• Assemblies- both classes participated- their primary job
was to elect the magistrates who ran the city of Rome.
Also approved laws and could declare war
• Tribunes- office could only be held by Plebeians and
controlled the power of the veto
Impact Today
• Just as the United States took democracy from
Ancient Greece- we also took many elements of
the Roman Republic as well.
• Elect our leaders
• Our government has 3 branches- the President
(Executive), Congress (Legislative), and the
Federal Court System (Judicial).
• The power of these branches are explained in
our constitution, just like Roman officials were.
Impact Today Continued
• We have a system of Checks and Balances
to prevent any branch from becoming too
strong.
• Like Tribunes in Rome, the President of the
USA has the power to veto actions by other
government officials.
• Americans also believe in civic duty to
participate in government to keep it as strong
as it can be.
• The Twelve Tables are similar to our Bill of
Rights.