Download 509 BC Early Romans fought with other tribes for control of the area

THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
Nomadic, Indo-European
people migrated
southwest and settle on
the Tiber River.
Traditional Founding
Date for Rome: 750 B.C.
Roman Legends
1. Romulus and Remus
2. Aeneas
Natural Advantages of the
City:
1. located on fertile,
coastal plain
2. Tiber River
3. located on seven hills
750 - 509 B.C.
Early Romans fought with other tribes for control
of the area. Through trade, they encountered
Phoenicians and Greeks and adopted many of
their ideas.
600 B.C.
Etruscans conquered Rome, and ruled them for
about 100 years. During this period, Romans adopt
alphabet, art styles, religion, and building
techniques.
509 B.C.
Romans overthrow the Etruscans and establish a
Republic which lasts 500 years. All citizens with the
right to vote choose their leaders. The elected
leaders represent the people and rule in their name.
This is a Representative Democracy.
Three Social Classes of the Early Republic:
Patricians - wealthy landowners (citizens, can
vote and hold public office)
Plebeians - common people (citizens, can vote
but not hold public office)
Slaves - no rights
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC
Consuls (2) - served a one year term
1. directed the government and commanded the army
2. have veto power over the other consul
3. become a senator after the one year term
Senate - 300 patricians who served for life
1. guided foreign and domestic policy
2. chose two CONSULS each year from patrician
class
12 TABLES OF LAW (451 B.C.)
First written law code of Rome - (carved into 12 stone tablets)
1. Very strict laws - eye for an eye
2. Continued the separation of
patricians and plebeians
Law of Nations
• Natural Law (Universal Law) based on
reason.
• Standards of justice that applied to all
people.
• “innocent until proven guilty”
• “right to defend yourself before a judge”
FAMILY
Romans had large families
Father had absolute control over his house
1. could sell a son or daughter
2. decides infant mortality
WOMEN
Citizens, but no political rights
Marriages are arranged by father around the age of 14
Can be seen in public
RELIGION
Worshipped gods of those they conquered
No national religion
THE EXPANSION OF ROME
509 - 300 B.C. - Rome centralizes its power in Central and
Northern Italy.
256 B.C. - Rome has conquered the Greek city-states of
Southern Italy and now controls the whole peninsula. Rome
grants citizenship to some, others are allowed to govern
their own affairs. This ensures loyalty!
Cultural Diffusion - Rome builds a network of roads that
begin in Rome and spread throughout Italy. (Appian Way)
Built for the military, they helped increase trade and
communication and the exchange of ideas. Settlement of
troops in different regions spread Roman customs and
language.
PUNIC WARS (264 - 146 B.C.)
Carthage (Phoenician) vs. Rome
Cause: Because Rome conquered Greek city-states,
it inherited a trade rivalry in the Western
Mediterranean Sea.
1st Punic War (264 - 241 B.C.)
Began as a conflict over trade in Sicily. Carthage lost
and has to pay a fine and give Sicily, Sardinia and
Corsica to Rome.
PUNIC WARS (264 - 146 B.C.)
Carthage (Phoenician) vs. Rome
2nd Punic War (218 - 201 B.C.)
Led by Hannibal, Carthage tries to expand in Spain. Rome
tries to stop them. Hannibal invades Italy. He wanders
throughout Italy trying to incite a rebellion. Rome sends an
army to face Hannibal at Cannae. The Romans are
defeated. Rome then attacks Carthage. Hannibal has to
return home to defend. Battle of Zama: Hannibal defeated
by Scipio (Africanus). Carthage has to pay a heavy fine and
give Spain to Rome. Rome is now supreme in the Western
Mediterranean.
PUNIC WARS (264 - 146 B.C.)
Carthage (Phoenician) vs. Rome
3rd Punic War (149 - 146 B.C.)
Carthage attempted to go to war without Rome's consent.
Rome obliterates Carthage and takes over the territory
around Carthage. People are massacred or sold off as
slaves.
MOVING TOWARDS EMPIRE
By 44 B. C. Rome controls:
1. Spain
2. Macedonia
3. Syria
4. Gaul (France)
5. Greece
6. Nile Delta
7. N. Africa
8. Part of Asia Minor
DECLINE OF THE REPUBLIC
The poor are losing everything to the wealthy.
Attempts at Reform: Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
1. limit amount of land one person can own
2. redistribute land to the poor
3. settle landless poor in the provinces
Senate opposed their reforms and the Gracchus
brothers are murdered.
Civil War will soon begin.
1st TRIUMVIRATE (60 B.C.)
Julius Caesar
Gaeus Pompey
Marcus Crassus
44 B.C.: Julius Caesar is given the title by the Senate
“Dictator for Life” and rules as an "Absolute Ruler"
Caesar’s Reforms:
a. redistributed land to the poor
b. granted citizenship to people in the provinces
c. public building projects
d. increased soldiers pay
Caesar is killed in the Senate on March 15, 44 B.C.
2nd TRIUMVIRATE
Octavian
Mark Antony
Marcus Lepidus
1. capture and kill Caesar’s killers
2. power struggle occurs between Octavian and Mark
Antony
3. Octavian defeats Antony in a naval battle (Actium)
4. Octavian is undisputed ruler of Rome
5. Given the title “AUGUSTUS” by the Senate. He is now
Emperor of the Romans.
Pax Romana - Roman peace - over 200 years of peace
ROME IS NOW AN EMPIRE
The effects of creating an empire were both good and
bad.
GOOD
1. Roman and Hellenistic culture were spread
2. Trade and commerce increased
3. Tribute poured into the city in the form of grain,
treasure, and slaves.
BAD
1. Grain from the provinces created a surplus in
Rome. Prices fell and small farmers had to sell
their land to payoff their debts.
2. Vast amounts of treasure cause inflation.
3. Slaves were brought back to work on the
Latifundia. The small farmer cannot compete
and is forced out of work.
Government of New Territories
(provinces)
1. gave nearby Latins citizenship
2. allowed conquered people to keep customs and
local government
3. settle Roman soldiers in the provinces
4. each province was headed by a governor (appt. by
Senate)
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC
Assembly of Centuries - composed of citizens
1. passed laws and elected consuls
2. chose officials: praetors and censors
Assembly of Tribes - composed of plebeians only
elected ten TRIBUNES - patricians who
spoke for their interest in the Senate.
Praetors - eight judges who serve one year terms
1. two oversee civil and criminal courts
2. six oversee courts in provinces
In an emergency (crisis) situation, the Senate could appoint a
dictator who had absolute power for six months.