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Res Publica Romanorum (The Roman Republic) Pre-Roman Italy • The Latini settled along the Tiber River around 800 BC • Seven villages atop seven hills grew together into the city of Rome • North of Rome were the Etruscans, whom the Romans selected their kings from • South of Rome were Greek colonists The Roman Republic – Romans ousted king and established a new government – Became a republic – “a thing of the people” – where all officials were elected – Kept any one person from gaining too much power – SPQR = Senatus Populus que Romanus (The Senate and People of Rome) The Senate • Ruling body of the Republic was the senate, a law making body (legislature) of 300 patricians (upper class citizens) Consuls – Senate elected two senators as consuls to supervise the government and command the armies (duties similar to those of the US President) – Could only served 1 year and could only serve 1 term every 10 years – Consuls still had to answer to the senate Dictators – During war or time of crisis, the senate could appoint a dictator – Dictator had absolute power, BUT could only hold that power for 6 months – Senate had to choose dictators carefully! Tribunes – Position created to satisfy the demands of the plebeians (lower class) and to watch after their interests – Could veto any law passed by the senate – Eventually, plebeians also gained the right to serve in the senate and to be consuls Laws of the Twelve Tables • In order to ensure that their rights were protected, the plebeians demanded that the laws be posted in a public place; this led to the laws being inscribed on 10 tablets (with 2 more added later) and posted in the Roman Forum Punic Wars with Carthage – By 270 BC, Rome controlled all of Italy – between 264 and 146 BC, Rome fought three wars with Carthage for control of Mediterranean trade – After crushing Carthage, Rome controlled an area from Spain to Egypt and dominated the Mediterranean world Expansion During the Republic Consequences of Growth – Increased use of slaves from conquered areas bankrupted many farmers; they moved to Rome and other cities and were cared for by the state – Great wealth of Rome led to high rate of corruption among officials – Rome needed a strong leader, but the senate feared allowing anyone to gain too much power; this led to street violence and civil wars as charismatic leaders tried to rally support among the people against the senate The First Triumvirate • Political alliance intent on taking control of Rome • Crassus: brought wealth • Pompey: brought military reputation • Julius Caesar: brought youth and popularity with the people • Crassus killed in battle against Parthians in 53 BC Julius Caesar Takes Over – Caesar and Pompey began to fight each other for control of Rome – Eventually, Julius Caesar marched his army into Rome and seized control in 50 BC; Caesar forced the senate to name him dictator for life – Pompey fled to Egypt but was assassinated Julius Caesar’s Reign • Caesar was very popular with the people, but not the senate • Started a program of public works to employ the jobless • Reorganized the government and expanded the number of people who qualified for Roman citizenship • 44 BC, Caesar was stabbed to death in the senate Octavian vs. Antony • After Caesar’s death, his nephew Octavian and his top general Marc Antony eliminated the senators involved • Octavian and Antony then fought for control of Rome; Octavian won in 31 BC by defeating Antony and his lover/ally, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt • Antony & Cleopatra both committed suicide Octavian Augustus • A weakened senate gave Octavian the title Augustus (“exalted one”), and declared him princeps (“first citizen”); he was in effect the first emperor of Rome and ruled from 31 BC to 14 AD (45 years) The Pax Romana • “The Roman Peace”: 200 year period from rule of Octavian Augustus to that of Marcus Aurelius – Little fighting, no civil wars – Laws were enforced, people were protected from bandits and pirates – Rome grew wealthy from conquest and trade – The poor were pacified with entertainments such as gladiatorial contests, and with free bread and housing Roman Society • Family based; father had absolute rule over his family (paterfamilias) • All citizens given a basic education, including learning how to read and write • Roman religion and gods were almost identical to those of the Greeks Roman Literature • Epic poetry: Virgil’s Aeneid tells how Aeneas escaped the sack of Troy to found Rome • Satire: many authors made fun of Roman society • History: famous historians Livy and Tacitus • Philosophy: Greek and later, Christian influenced Art & Architecture • Realistic sculptures • Mosaics and frescoes • Huge buildings and arenas • Improved on columns and the arch, invented concrete, domed roofs • Most famous buildings: the Pantheon, The Coliseum Technology & Science • Excellent engineers, built roads, bridges, harbors • Built huge aqueducts to bring water into the cities • Ptolemy, an astronomer, theorized that the earth was the center of the universe (he was wrong), but his idea survived for 1500 years! • Writings on medicine, zoology, botany, etc. Law • Accused were innocent until proven guilty • Guilt had to be proven with evidence • Accused was allowed to face and question their accuser – All of these remain important cornerstones of modern law!