Download roman empire basics

Bellwork 8-17-15
• Grab your comp book, have a seat, and study
your religions chart and world map.
– (Quiz coming soon!)
The Roman Republic
• The Roman Empire began as a successful
republic in 509 BCE.
– Republic: A form of government in which citizens
elect their leaders
The Roman Republic
• Rome successfully used a written code of laws,
beginning in 450 BCE.
– Written laws allowed ordinary citizens to check
the power of their leaders.
The Roman Republic
• Rome conquered all the lands surrounding the
Mediterranean Sea.
– The Roman Army was the best in the world during
its time.
The Roman Republic
• Soon Rome had conquered massive areas of
land.
– These conquests made Rome very wealthy.
• Smaller governments were spread out over
these conquered lands.
The Roman Republic
• Around 100 BCE, the republic had become
filled with corrupt leaders.
– Corruption: dishonest behavior by powerful
people
The Roman Republic
• Corruption in Rome led to several years of
conflict.
• In the 70s BCE, it seemed Rome was headed
for complete collapse.
End of the Republic
• Rome was saved in 60 BCE when a powerful
leader, Julius Caesar, was chosen.
• Julius Caesar became Rome’s first dictator.
– Dictator: Ruler who rules with absolute power
Questions
1. Why is it important that Rome was a republic
and used a written code of laws?
Questions
2. In the beginning, how was massive conquest
of lands beneficial for the Roman Republic?
3. How did many Roman proconsuls (governors)
govern their conquered territories?
Questions
4. Why did Rome almost collapse in the 70s
BCE?
5. Who emerged as Rome’s first dictator in 60
BCE?