Download Roman Republic

No bellwork today!
We will begin with notes on the
founding of Ancient Rome… be
prepared!
An Introduction to Rome
WHERE ON EARTH IS ROME?
WHY IS THE GEOGRAPHY OF
ROME IMPORTANT?
HOW DID GEOGRAPHY HELP THE ROMANS?
• Located in the center of the Mediterranean
• Far away from eastern empires, but accessible from
Europe
• Large amount of fertile land
• Alps (Mts.): provided natural protection.
• Mediterranean Sea: Gave protection, allowed for
trade.
Basically, Rome’s place in the world kept it safe
from harm, but allowed it to interact with
other people.
TRADE AND INFLUENCE
MYTHS AND LEGENDS
• Just like the Greeks,
the Romans used
myths and legends
to explain the history
of their region.
• Most of the myths
and legends in
ancient Rome
centered around
their gods and
goddesses.
THE LEGEND OF ROMULUS
AND REMUS
According to Roman
legend a princess named
Rhea Sylvia had twin boys
by Mars, the god of war.
A jealous uncle who had
stolen the throne from her
father ordered her twins to
be drowned in the Tiber
River.
• Fortunately, a servant had pity on the
twins and placed them in a basket.
Eventually, the basket washed onto
the shore and the twins were
discovered by a female wolf. The wolf
nursed and protected the babies for a
short time before they were found by
a shepherd. The shepherd then
raised the twins.
• When Romulus and Remus became
adults, they decided to found (or set up) a
city where the wolf had discovered them.
The brothers fought over exactly where
the city should be built, and as a result,
Remus was killed by his brother. Without
Remus, Romulus became the sole founder
of the new city and named it Rome. The
date given for the founding of Rome was
753 BC.
Although the Legend of Romulus and Remus
makes it seem as if Rome was built in a day, the
truth is probably very different.
It is more likely that…
• Groups, like the Latins, settled along the Tiber river
in 1000 B.C.
• In 600 B.C. Greek settlers established several cities
 trade & spread of ideas
• In order to be safer from invasions, the settlements
joined together as one.
Regardless of how Rome was
founded, society should be
thankful for their contributions!
Architecture, government, law, art,
language, calendar, etc.
The Early Republic
• Tyrants and corrupt
kings in power
• In 509B.C., Tarquin the
Proud was overthrown
• Romans declared they
would never again be
ruled by a king!
• Established a new
government called a
republic: power to the
citizens!
Ancient Rome: Republic to Empire
• Two periods of
Roman
government:
– Roman
Republic:
509BC – 30BC
– Roman Empire:
30BC – 476AD
The Early Roman Republic
• To learn more about how society was organized/ruled
during the republic, you are going to read the
handout and take notes.
• I will do a note check on this tomorrow!
• You should take at least 3 notes per topic:
–
–
–
–
Patricians and Plebeians
Government under the Republic
The Roman Army
Roman Citizenship
Finish Ancient Greece Cartoon
Strip!
BELLWORK: 9/20
1. Why was there a Greek influence in Roman society?
2. Explain the difference between Patricians &
Plebeians.
3. How was government set up under the republic?
4. When could the republic appoint a dictator? Why?
5. What rights did citizens have in the republic? How
were these rights acquired?
6. THINKER: How is a republic different than a
democracy?
Is the U.S. a republic or
democracy?
• Democracy is a form of government in which
the people decide policy matters directly-through town hall meetings or by voting on
ballot proposals.
• A republic is a system in which the people
choose representatives who, in turn, make
policy decisions on their behalf
Is the U.S. a republic or democracy?
Roman Republic: Conflict
and Crisis
Roman Republic: 509BC – 30BC
Roman Expansion
• Punic Wars: 264BC-146BC, series of three
wars between Rome and the North-African
city state of Carthage.
• Both wanted control of western
Mediterranean……. Why?
• Rome was victorious and captured all cities
from the Mediterranean to Spain to Asia
Minor.
Carthaginian General Hannibal crossing the
Alps during the Second Punic War.
Romans attack
on Carthage
Romans attack
on Carthage
The Republic in Crisis
• Usually military expansion
makes a country stronger
and more powerful, but it
was different with Rome.
• After the Punic Wars,
Rome will go through a
series of revolts that puts
the Republic in crisis……..
Why? How would military
expansion lead to
unhappiness and revolt
amongst the citizens?
The Republic in Crisis
• Rome’s military conquered multiple countries with
no regard to their way of life/culture  REVOLT!
• Roman officials overtaxed residents  REVOLT!
• Wealthy Romans used slaves to work their land –
this put small farmers out of business
REVOLT!
• Putting down these revolts cost Rome a lot of
troops, money, and resources.
Reform
• In the 50’s BC, Julius Caesar, took over the
government and named himself dictator.
• Gave jobs to unemployed, public land to the poor,
and citizenship to conquered peoples.
• Some Romans loved Caesar for his reforms, others
saw him as a tyrant who meant to end the republic
and make himself king.
• On March 15, 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated by a
group of government officials.
Caesar’s Assassination
• March 15, 44BC Caesar was to appear at a meeting of the Senate.
• As he arrived, the group of conspirators gathered around him
pretending to show support.
• Cimber approached him to sign a document and pulled him down by
his shoulders then Casca stabbed him in the neck
• Within seconds, the entire group (including his closest friend Brutus)
gathered around him on the steps of Senate stabbing him.
• Around 60 men participated in the assassination and Caesar was
stabbed 23 times
• His last words were “You too, Brutus?” as he realized his best friend
was involved in the plot
• Brutus and his followers marched through Rome shouting “People of
Rome, we are once again free!”
• Caesar’s dead body lay on the Senate floor for three hours
• In the following chaos, Augustus Caesar led a series of 5 civil
wars which ended with the reformation of the Roman Empire.
Transition to Roman Empire
• Two periods of Roman government:
– Roman Republic: 509BC – 30BC
– Roman Empire: 30BC – 476AD
• Rome technically had an “empire” under the
Roman Republic
– The term “Roman Empire” refers to the time
period, beginning with Augustus, when Rome was
ruled by emperors
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Augustus Caesar’s Reforms
• After a period of civil war, Caesar’s nephew, Augustus, became
the ruler of Rome in 32 BC.
• In the 40 years of Augustus’ reign he introduced many reforms:
• Attacked government corruption
• Encouraged the growth of business
• Extended citizenship to more provinces
• Established fire and police departments for Rome
• Imported food for Rome’s poor
• Built and maintained the empire’s infrastructure
• Established a strong money system
• Begun Pax Romana (Roman Peace) which lasted 200yrs
“I found Rome
a city of bricks,
and left it a city
of marble”
-Augustus
Caesar
Roman Empire: Graphic Organizer
• Now that the Roman Empire is established, the emperors make
several changes in society.
• You are going to read about these new changes in society and
compare them to modern-day America.
• You will compare the following aspects of society:
– Law and Order
– Trade, Engineering and Science
– Daily Life
– Language and Literature
• For each aspect, you will describe it for Rome AND America
• In your book, read pages 73-75 and complete the chart.
• Lets do the first one together! 
Roman Empire vs. Modern America
Aspect of
Society
Law and
Order
Trade,
Engineering
& Science
Daily Life
Language &
Literature
Roman Empire
Modern America
Augustus Caesar’s Reforms
• After a period of _________, Caesar’s nephew, Augustus,
became the ruler of Rome in 32 BC.
• In the ____ years of Augustus’ reign he introduced many reforms:
• Attacked government _________________
• Encouraged the __________________
• Extended _______________ to more provinces
• Established _______________________departments for Rome
• Imported ________ for Rome’s __________
• Built and maintained the empire’s _________________
• Established a strong ______________
• Begun _________________(Roman Peace) which lasted 200yrs