Download Roman Civilization

Roman Civilization
The Etruscans
• By 800 B.C., Etruscans conquered
most of Italy.
• Etruscans highly civilized
• Etruscans gave knowledge:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
how to construct buildings with arches
build aqueducts to carry water
use bronze to make better weapons
Build ships
Taught art of warfare
Grow grapes for wine
Grow olives
Rome
• Circa 750B.C., Latin's settled in
central Italy and founded Rome.
• Legend said Rome founded by twins,
Romulus and Remus.
• Their uncle, a king, feared might
someday challenge his authority, so
Twins placed in a basket on Tiber
river.
• Basket found by a wolf that raised
them.
Rome’s Geography
• Roman civilization started in
Italy
• Became a trading civilization.
• Blessed with mild climate and
fertile valleys
The Roman Republic
• In 509 B.C., Tarquin the Proud
murdered king and declared himself
tyrant.
• Roman eventually people overthrew
Tarquin the Proud and established
republic.
• A republic is government which
elected representatives govern, (U S.
today)
Who were the Roman
representatives?
• Government represented a
group of people, not whole
population.
• Representatives were wealthy
landowners called patricians.
• Rome’s common people,
plebeians, had limited say in
government.
Structure of Roman
Government
• Senate made up of patricians. They
proposed laws, ratified treaties, and
approved official appointments.
• The Centuriate Assembly, also
patricians that handled military
matters.
• Council of Plebs (tribes), composed
of Plebeians, represented 35
different tribes surrounding Rome.
The Consuls
• Though Rome was a republic,
felt need for supreme authority,
or imperium.
• Power placed in hands of two
Consuls. A consul was official
(patrician) who carried out laws.
• Consuls ruled for one year.
The Power of Veto
• Consuls had to agree with each other
before action could be taken.
• Each consul had veto power, or could
stop other consul.
• Senate could replace consuls with
dictator rule for six months in case of
emergency (war).
The Praetors
• Praetors were judges who
interpreted laws of Rome
(United States Supreme Court)
Plebeians Gain More
Rights
• 500 B.C., Plebeians refused to fight
for Rome.
• Patricians allowed plebeians to
choose 10 Tribunes in Tribune of
Plebs.
• A tribune could veto acts of senate
or officials.
• The twelve tables, or Rome's basic
laws were written down.
• Plebeians allowed to marry
patricians.
• Could hold office of Consul.
The End