Download The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic
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Early Romans
Latin- Early settlers of Rome
Etruscans- Northern Italy
Eventually take control of Rome
and build it into a great city.
Build it on 7 hills for protection.
509 BCE- Romans drive
Etruscans out.
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Roman Government
The Forum- The central
public square used for
government meetings.
Republic- a government
without a king
Not a true democracy
because of elected
representatives by the
people.
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Roman government
Patricians- wealthy
landowners that controlled
the republic.
Consuls- two individuals
that directed the daily
affairs of government and
led the army.
One-year terms
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The Senate
300 member council of
patricians that made laws
and served Rome.
Most powerful part
of The Republic.
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The Plebeians
The common people (common
farmers, artisans, merchants)
Had no say in governement
Allowed to take part in the assembly,
but had less power than the Senate.
Twelve Tables- 451 BCE
Plebeians have Roman laws written.
Gives common people some protection
against unfair patrician decisions.
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The Roman Army
Superior due to its discipline and
organization.
Used a tight battle formation
used by Greek foot soldiers.
Opponents used mob warfare.
Legion- basic army unit.
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Roman Alliances
How did Rome maintain its alliances
with former enemies?
1. Granted Roman citizenship to allies.
2. Allowed allies to keep local
government.
3. Gave protection and maintained order
in Italy.
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The Punic Wars
264-202 BCE- Series of wars
between Rome and Carthage
Carthage- North African city founded
by Phoenicians.
First Punic War
Rome- superior army
Carthage- superior navy
Rome gains Sicily- makes it a
province (territory outside of Italy)
Second Punic War
Hannibal invades Italy.
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Hannibal
Carthaginian general
Invades Italy from the north via the
Alps with elephants.
Battle of Cannae
Hannibal pulls back from Rome.
Romans believe he is retreating and follow.
Hannibal surrounds and defeats.
Scipio- Roman general attacks Carthage
Hannibal tries to return home.
Defeats Hannibal at the Battle of Zama.
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Destruction of Carthage
Romans burn Carthage because it
represented Hannibal.
Survivors sold into slavery.
Becomes a Roman province along
with Greece and the Mediterranean.
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Spartacus
73 BCE
Proclaims war on Rome in
attempt to free the slaves.
2 years of successful revolts
Eventually killed along with 6000
followers.
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The rise of dictators
Dictator- one person w/ absolute power
Military loyalty came from loyalty to Rome.
Gaius Marius
Ensures loyalty of troops by promising loot
from conquered lands.
Lucius Sulla
Rival to Marius
Bloody wars over power
Defeats Marius and becomes dictator of Rome.
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First triumvirate
60 BCE- Three army generals unite to rule
Rome.
Pompey
Crassus
Julius Caesar
Caesar becomes consul and commands the
Roman legions in Gaul.
Conquers Gaul (France) and England.
Pompey gets support from Senate.
Orders Caesar to return home w/out the army.
Caesar invades Rome w/ army and defeats
Pompey.
Becomes a “hero of the empire.”
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Julius Caesar
Reforms Rome
1. Reorganized government with him as
dictator.
2. Lowered taxes.
3. Makes governors responsible to him.
4. Grants citizenship to conquered peoples.
March 15, 44 BCE- Caesar assassinated
Stabbed in the Senate “Beware the Ides of
March.”
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Second triumvirate
Mark Antony
Lepidus
Octavian
Created by Mark Antony.
Falls in love w/ Cleopatra,
queen of Egypt.
Octavian crushes the
combined fleet of Antony
and Cleopatra.
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Octavian
31 BCE- creates the Roman
Empire
Allows Senate to keep some
power, but he would retain sole
rulership.
Changes name to Augustus
“honored and majestic”
Takes title of “Caesar”
“first citizen”
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The Roman Empire
Augustus gains control of the
following:
Military
Takes complete control of
Gives veterans bonuses of land.
Provinces
Supervised all the governors.
Loyalty to Rome
Granted citizenship to more conquered
peoples of Europe.
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Pax Romana
“The Roman Peace”- 27-180 AD
Period of peace and prosperity.
Julio-Claudian dynasty
No real line of succession to the
throne.
First four emperors after Augustus
that were either related to him or
his wife.
Not as good as Augustus.
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The Height of the Roman
Empire
Empire stretched from Asia Minor
to the Danube and Rhine Rivers to
Great Britain.
Roman governors
Enforced Roman law and settled
provincial disputes.
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The Height of the Roman
Empire
Roman Prosperity
New roads, drained swamps, irrigation
systems for the deserts.
Roman Citizenship
By 212 AD, virtually all free people in
the Empire became Roman citizens.
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