Download Class Notes: Chapter 7, Lesson 2

Class Notes: Chapter 7, Lesson 2 - The Roman Republic
A. The Legendary Beginning
1. As legend has it, twin brothers named Romulus and Remus founded Rome. They were born to a
princess; left to drown by their jealous uncle and would survive to build the city of Rome (named
after Romulus, its first king)
2. This legend provides Rome with a noble, strong beginning.
B. The Birth of a Republic
1. Between 600 and 509 B. C. , Rome was ruled by seven different kings.
2. In 509 B. C. , however, the people established a republic (government where citizens have the
right to choose their leaders).
(a) A republic was not a democracy.
(b) Only male citizens with money and property could vote.
(c) Romans had a lawmaking body called the Senate.
(d) Senators elected two people to serve as consuls who shared power equally throughout Rome
and commanded Rome's army.
C. Patricians and Plebeians
1. The Senate was made up of 200 rich families called Patricians, who had al the power. Only
patricians could be senators.
2. Most other people were plebeians (farmers, merchants, and artisans).
(a) The plebeians demanded more rights, and after threatening to walk out of Rome, were given
more rights.
(b) Plebeians elected tribunes, or officials to represent them.
D. The Twelve Tables
1. From 494-287 B. C. , the plebeians protested many times, gaining new rights each time.
2. Their greatest victory was to have the patricians and plebeians create a set of written was called
the Twelve Tables.
E. Rome Begins To Expand
1. By 264 B.C. the Roman Republic ruled all the Italian Peninsula south of the Po Basin
2. The Romans were not the only power in the region
3. The three important centers of power were:
(a) Rome
(b) Alexandria in Egypt
(c) Carthage in North Africa
F. War with Carthage
1. In 264 B. C. Rome and Carthage fought for control of Sicily. These wars were known as the Punic
Wars.
2. Rome won the first battles
3. Carthage vowed revenge.
G. Hannibal crosses the Alps
1. In 218 B.C. Hannibal built an army of 60,000 men and 60 elephants to travel from Spain acroos
Gaul to attack Rome.
2. He crossed in the worst winter conditions and lost most of his men and most of his elephants.
3. The Roman were surprised, but eventually defeated Carthage.
4. This was the beginning of many victories for Rome and the beginning of a vast empire.