Download The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic
Rome’s Beginnings
We know very little about the people who actually founded Rome. However, we do
know that their first settlements date from about the 900s BCE. Rome grew slowly, as
the Romans fought their neighbors for land.
About 600 BCE, a mysterious people, the Etruscans, took power in Rome. They
spoke a language totally unlike any other in Italy. Although we have many examples of
their writing, we can read very little of it. Where had they come from? Even today, no
one is sure. For a time, Etruscans ruled as kings of Rome. However, in 509 BCE, the
Romans revolted and drove the Etruscans from power.
Rome Becomes a Republic
After driving the last Etruscan king from the throne, the Romans vowed never again
to put so much trust in kings. They created a new form of government, a republic. In a
republic, citizens who have the right to vote select their leaders. The leaders rule in the
name of the people.
In the Roman Republic, the most powerful part of the government was a group
called the senate. At first, the senate was made up only of 300 upper class men called
patricians. Ordinary citizens were known as plebeians. In the early republic, plebeians
could not hold office or be senators. The government was led by two men called consuls.
Before 367 BCE, plebeians could not be consuls. The senate advised the consuls on foreign
affairs, laws, and finances, among other things.
Consuls almost always did what the senate wanted. Consuls ruled for one year only.
Power was divided equally between them. Both had to agree before the government could
take action. If only one consul said “Veto” (I forbid it), the matter was dropped. Today,
we use the word veto to mean the rejection of a bill by the President.
The Romans knew that their government might now work if the consuls disagreed in
an emergency. For this reason, Roman law held that a dictator could be appointed to
handle any emergency. A dictator was an official who had all of the powers of a king but
could hold office for only six months.
Patricians versus Plebeians
Through wars and conquest, the Roman Republic extended its control across Italy.
Within about 250 years, Rome had conquered almost all of Italy. This caused growing
troubles between patricians and plebeians.
Patricians and plebeians had different attitudes. Patricians thought of themselves
as leaders. They fought hard to keep control over the government. Plebeians believed
they had a right to be respected and treated fairly. Plebeians did not trust the actions of
the patrician senate. They felt the senate was often unfair to the plebeians. Therefore,
plebeians formed their own groups to protect their interests.
Many patricians grew wealthy because of Rome’s conquests. They took riches from
defeated people. Then, they bought land from small farmers and created huge farms for
themselves. Plebeians did not work on these farms. Rather, the work was done by laves
brought back from conquests. Many plebeian farmers found themselves without work.
The cities, especially Rome, were filled with jobless plebeians.
Eventually, angry plebeians refused to fight in the Roman army. Then the patricians
gave in to one of their main demands. This was a written code of laws called the Laws of
the Twelve Tables. The Twelve Tables applied evenly to all citizens. They were hung in
marketplaces so everyone could know what the laws were. Despite this victory, the
plebeians never managed to gain power equal to the patricians.
Architecture and Technology
Early Roman art and architecture copied the Etruscans. Later, the Romans studied
and copied Greek sculpture and architecture. However, Roman statues and buildings were
heavier and stronger in style than those of the Greeks. Using arches, Romans were able to
build larger structures. They could create large open spaces inside the buildings with wide
arched ceilings supported by heavy walls.
Most large buildings were built of bricks and covered with thin slabs of white
marble. However, one important development was a new building material—concrete.
Concrete was a mix of stone, sand, cement, and water that dried as hard as rock.
Concrete helped the Romans put up buildings that were far taller than any built before.
The greatest Roman building was the Colosseum, a giant arena that held 50,000
spectators. Its walls were so well built that the floor of the arena could be flooded for
mock naval battles using real people in real boats. Stairways and ramps ran through the
building. There were even elevators to carry wild animals from dens below the floor to the
arena.
Roman engineers built roads from Rome to every part of the empire. T his road
system covered a distance equal to twice the distance around the earth at the Equator.
Do you know the saying, “All roads lead to Rome?” In Roman times it was true. No matter
what road travelers started out on, they would eventually arrive in Rome.
Romans were famous for their aqueducts, structures that carried water over long
distances. The aqueducts were huge lines of arches, often many miles long. A channel
along the top carried water from the countryside to the cities. Roman aqueducts tunneled
through mountains and spanned valleys. Some are still being used today.
Name:_________________________
Date:________________Period:____
Ancient Rome
Objective: Students will analyze the achievements of Ancient Rome.
I.
Before you read: Use the map on page 190 to find the answers. Answer using
complete sentences.
1. What present day country was the farthest north reached by Ancient Rome
(answer is in all capital letters on the map)?
2. Name five bodies of water that were a part of Ancient Rome.
3. From East to West how large was Ancient Rome’s territory?
II.
While you read.
A. Read the textbook selection, pages 191-202
B. Complete the graphic organizer.
Name of Achievement
Government
Romans created a Republic
Created a Senate
Idea of a “veto”
Description of Achievement
Why it’s important TODAY
Legal ideas
(Roman Laws)
Architecture
The Arch
Colosseum
Technology
Invention of Concrete
Roman Roads
Aqueducts
After reading: Which THREE achievements do you feel were the most important
achievements Ancient Rome made to the world? Explain why you feel this way. Be specific
and use details from the text when answering.