Download The Romans

THE ROMANS
Founding of Rome
■ Foundation Myth:
■ Romulus & Remus – 753 BCE
– Mars
– She-wolf
Ancient Italy
was home to several groups. Both the
Etruscans in the north and the Greeks
in the south had a major influence on
the development of Rome.
Roman Republic
■ Tiber River – Latium Plain
■ Etruscans – Etruria (625-509 BCE)
– urbanization
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temples
augury
toga
fasces
triad of gods (Jupiter, Juno, Minerva)
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Forum, Via Apia
Adopted from Greeks
alphabet
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Adopted from Greeks
■ Greeks (750-550 BCE) – Magna Graecia
■.
The City of
Rome
Roman Republic
■ Romans’ Foundation Myth of the Republic:
– 509 BCE – Rape of Lucretia & Overthrow of Etruscan King
■ Patricians & Plebeians
– Patricians were aristocratic landowners who held all political power.
■
They were the minority, but were the only ones who could be elected to political
office.
– Plebeians were the commoners, the farmers, merchants, artisans who were the
majority of the population.
■
They could vote, but could not hold political office.
■ Government
– Consuls – 2 men elected each year, commanded the army and ran the
government.
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Could only hold office for 1 year and could not run for office a 2nd year in a row.
Possessed imperium “the right to command.”
– Senate – 300 men who held office for life, controlled the budget and gave
permission for men to run for office.
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They were an advisory body, made up of elder statesmen who offered guidance.
Their advice, senatus consultum, had the force of law, but was NOT law.
Assemblies – Legislative bodies
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Centuriate Assembly – Made up of all the soldiers, made laws, & voted for consuls
and other political offices.
Tribal Assembly – Made up of non-soldiers/commoners, made laws
Roman Republic
■ Roman government ran on Patronage – the Patron/Client relationship
■ Twelve Tables – first written law code for Rome.
■ Struggle of the Orders (494-287 BCE)
– Non-violent
– Wealthy plebeians wanted political power/equality. Wanted the ability to marry
into the patrician class.
■
They win all of those rights and more. Now, at least 1 consul MUST be a plebeian
– Tribunes of the Plebs – New office created to protect plebeians, 12 men elected
for 1 year terms – Have the power to veto laws
– Plebeian Assembly – New assembly for plebeians to pass laws. Later can pass
laws that effect all Roman citizens.
Roman Expansion
■ Expansion (493 BCE) – Rome begins
conquering throughout Italian peninsula
– Roman Confederation (265 BCE)
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Brilliant system of treaties, explain why
Roman Empire so successful
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3 levels:
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1)Allied Status – you have Rome’s
protection
–
2)Municipal Status – you can make
legal contracts with Roman
citizens, marry a Roman citizen
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3)Full Citizenship – you can vote
and hold office in Rome
Punic Wars