Download The Roman Republic - Coach Alexander`s World History Class

■ Essential Question:
–What were the lasting characteristics
of the Roman Republic & the Roman
Empire?
■ Warm-Up Question:
–What is Hellenism?
–Why was Alexander of Macedonia
considered “great”?
In addition to Greece, a
significant classical civilization
was ancient Rome
Ancient Rome
■ While the great civilization of Greece was in
decline, a new city to the west was developing
and increasing its power.
■ The early Romans establish a republic, which
grows powerful and spreads its influence.
Origins of Rome
■ According to legend, the city of Rome was
founded in 753 b.c. by Romulus and Remus,
twin sons of the god Mars and a Latin
princess.
■ The twins were abandoned on the Tiber River
as infants and raised by a she-wolf. The twins
decided to build a city near the spot.
■ In reality, it was men, not immortals, who
built the city, and they chose the spot largely
for its strategic location and fertile soil.
Impact of Geography on Rome:
Identify 1 geographic feature & propose
how it might impact the culture of Rome
The Geography of Rome
Rome was located on the Italian peninsula
in the center of the Mediterranean Sea
The Geography of Rome
■ Site of Rome chosen for its fertile soil
and strategic location
■ Located on Italian peninsula in center of
Mediterranean Sea
■ Built on seven hills at a bend on Tiber
River
The First Romans
■ Latins, Greeks, and Etruscans compete
for control of region
■ Latins found original settlement of Rome
between 1000 and 500 B.C.
■ Etruscans native to northern Italy, and
Greeks established colonies in southern
Italy; both influence Roman civilization
The Culture of Ancient Rome
Roman religion was polytheistic
& based on the Greek gods
(usually only the names changed)
The Culture of Ancient Rome
Roman writing
was called Latin &
was based on
Greek writing
The Culture of Ancient Rome
■ Roman architecture
borrowed heavily
from Etruscan
(arches) and Greek
(columns) styles
■ Like Greek agoras,
Roman cities had a
forum for markets &
public gatherings
The Early Republic
■ Around 600 B.C., Etruscan kings begin to
rule Rome
■ Kings build Rome’s first temples and
public centers
■ Romans overthrow cruel Etruscan king in
509 B.C.
■ Romans found a republic—government
in which citizens elect leaders
The Early Republic
■ Society was divided among 3 major groups:
■ At the top were the nobles, called patricians,
who controlled most of the land & held key
military & government positions
(made up 5% of
Roman citizens)
The Life of the Patricians
The Culture of Ancient Rome
Society was divided among 3 major groups:
■ Most people were commoners, called
plebeians, who were farmers, merchants, or
peasants
■ Plebeians paid
the majority of
taxes (made up
95% of Roman
citizens)
The Life of the Plebeians
The Culture of Ancient Rome
Society was divided among 3 major groups:
■ At the bottom of society
were slaves & other
non-Roman citizens
The Government of Ancient Rome
■ In 451 B.C., government
officials wrote down Rome’s
laws onto the Twelve Tables
which were hung in the
Forum for all citizens to see
and became the basis for
later Roman Law.
■ The Twelve Tables were
based on the idea that all
citizens had a right to the
protection of the law
■ Citizenship is limited to
adult male landowners
Quick Class
Discussion:
Based upon
this image,
what was
Roman
government
like?
Government Under The Republic
■ 2 Consuls elected – one commanded the
army and one directed the government.
However, their power was limited. A
consul’s term was only one year long.
The same person could not be elected
consul again for ten years. Also, one
consul could always overrule, or veto,
the other’s decisions.
Government Under The Republic
■ 300 Senators- aristocratic branch of
Rome’s government. It had both
legislative and administrative functions
in the republic. Its 300 members were
chosen from the upper class of Roman
society by citizens, to make foreign and
domestic policy.
The most important feature of the republic
was the Senate, whose 300 members were
elected by citizens to make laws & taxes
Government Under The Republic
■ 10 Tribunes- Eventually, Rome’s leaders
allowed the plebeians to form their own
assembly and elect representatives
called tribunes. Tribunes protected the
rights of the plebeians from unfair acts of
patrician officials.
Government Under The Republic
■ Dictator – a leader chosen by the Consuls
and elected by Senate; briefly assume
absolute power in times of crisis
(6 months).
The Roman Military
■ In addition to their government, the Romans placed great
value on their military.
■ All citizens who owned land were required to serve in the
army.
■ Seekers of certain public offices had to perform ten
years of military service.
■ The military organization and fighting skill of the Roman
army were key factors in Rome’s rise to greatness.
The Roman Military
■ Rome was protected by
legions, an advanced army
that was divided into
groups of 5,000 heavily
armed foot soldiers
(infantry)
■ A group of soldiers on
horseback (cavalry)
supported each legion.
■ Each legion was divided
into smaller groups of 80
men called a century
Rome Spreads its Power
Rome Conquers Italy
■ Romans defeat Etruscans in north and
Greek city-states in south
■ By 265 B.C., Rome controls Italian
peninsula
■ Conquered peoples treated justly; this
enables Rome to grow
Rome Spreads its Power
Rome’s Commercial Network
■ Rome establishes large trading network
■ Access to Mediterranean Sea provides
many trade routes
■ Carthage, powerful city-state in North
Africa, soon rivals Rome
Rome Spreads its Power
War with Carthage
■ Rome and Carthage begin Punic Wars—
three wars between 264–146 B.C.
■ Rome defeats Carthage, wins Sicily, in
first 23-year war
■ Hannibal—Carthaginian general—
avenges defeat in Second Punic War
–Attacks Italy through Spain and France,
doesn’t take Rome
Rome Spreads its Power
Rome Triumphs
■ Roman general Scipio, a general as bold as
Hannibal, attacks Carthage, forcing Hannibal
to leave Italy to defend his home city during
the Third Punic War (149-146 B.C.)
■ Rome destroys Carthage, sets it afire, and
enslaves 50,000 people (149–146 B.C.)
■ Carthaginian territory becomes a Roman
province.
Rome Spreads its Power
Effects of Punic Wars
■ Rome’s victories in the Punic Wars gave it
dominance over the western Mediterranean.
■ Romans go on to conquer the eastern half.
■ By about 70 B.C. Rome’s empire stretched
from Spain in the west to Anatolia (Asia
Minor) in the east.
■ However, such growth and power brought
with it a new set of difficulties
Closure Activity
■Compare governments of the
ancient world:
–Complete the chart on the back of
your notes