Download ROMAN REPUBLIC What is a REPUBLIC?

The Roman Republic
and its Fall
What was the
government like?
Why did the
Republic fall?
Chapter 8, Sec. 2 & 3
ROMAN REPUBLIC
What is a REPUBLIC?
►
A form of government in
which citizens vote for
their leaders
The Roman Republic:
►
►
Created in 509 B.C. after
overthrowing the Etruscan
Kings
Continued to evolve over time:
• Political participation and eligibility to run for office widened
• Powers of various assemblies and elected officials also changed
• But it also became increasingly corrupt
ROMAN REPUBLIC
MAIN IDEA:
►
The Roman Republic was shaped by a struggle
between wealthy landowners and regular citizens
SOCIAL CLASSES:
► Romans
were divided into 2 social classes:
PATRICIANS
(the ruling class)
and
PLEBIANS
(everyone else)
PATRICIANS
►
►
►
Original aristocracy of
Rome
 Had been distinguished
citizens who advised
Latin kings
 Played leading role in
overthrowing Etruscans
Wealth based primarily on
ownership of farmland
and/or urban real estate.
Could officially hold public
office
PLEBIANS
 Most were artisans,
shopkeepers, & small farmers
 Free men who could not trace
their ancestry back to advisors
of Latin kings
 Many were well-off and served
in the army under Etruscans
Etruscans had promoted their
interests and protected their
civil status
 Patricians would not let them
share in government
Rome’s Government
►
CONSULS: Top 2 government officials
 elected each year, could “veto” the other
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PRAETORS: Another important group of officials;
acted as judges
SENATE: The most important lawmaking body; 300
men served for life
ASSEMBLY of CENTURIES: Another important
legislative body; elected consuls and praetors
• Plebeians went on strike
to challenge the class
system.
• Resulted in formation of
the Council of Plebs.
Rome’s Government
► DICTATOR:
 In the Roman Republic, a dictator served
the people and ruled temporarily during
emergencies.
CINCINNATUS:
The best known early Roman
dictator, he led an army of men
to defeat a powerful enemy.
He then gave up his power after
only 16 days!!
Rome’s Government
► The
TWELVE TABLES:
 Rome’s first code of
laws. They were the
basis of all future
Roman laws.
► The
LAW of NATIONS:
 Created to address
issues of conquered
peoples.
 These standards of justice and the “rule of law” form the
basis of our own legal system to this day.
FALL OF THE REPUBLIC
► Trouble
in the Republic
 The gap between the rich and the poor
grew and farmers suffered.
 LATIFUNDA: large farming estates created
when wealthy Romans bought small farms.
 Farmers whose land had been bought
traveled to cities trying to find new jobs.
Tiberius and Gaius
Gracchus were
wealthy brothers who
tried to reform the
government but were
killed.
FALL OF THE REPUBLIC
►
Matters worsen when the Army
gets involved in politics…
- Marius: a former military leader;
he was appointed counsel and
promised land to poor men if they
became soldiers. Generals gained
influence.
- Sulla: Used his army to drive
Marius out of Rome, declared
himself dictator, and spent three
years making changes.
►
Many other power struggles followed!
FALL OF THE REPUBLIC
► Julius
Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey
formed a triumvirate after Sulla left office.
► Caesar declared himself dictator.
► Caesar instituted more reforms (12 Month
Calendar).
►Caesar
had many
enemies and they
plotted to kill him.
Caesar was killed on
March 15, 44 BC.
►
“Beware the ides of March…!”
FALL OF THE REPUBLIC
►
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Civil war followed Caesar’s death
The Second Triumvirate seized power:
1- Octavian (Caesar’s grandnephew and heir)
2- Mark Antony (1 of Caesar’s top generals)
3- Lepidus (another general, soon forced out)
• Octavian and Antony soon came
into conflict
• Antony fell in love with the
Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and
formed an alliance with her
• Octavian declared war on Antony
to keep him from taking over the
republic
Octavian defeated Antony and
Cleopatra’s forces at
the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C.
The Roman Empire Begins
Octavian now ruled the Roman
world.
► Cicero: politician and famed
public speaker who favored a
representative government
instead of a dictator. He had
supported Octavian.
► Octavian announced that he
would restore the republic, but
he kept most of the power.
► Octavian took the title
AUGUSTUS, meaning “revered
one.”
THIS BEGAN THE ROMAN EMPIRE
►
Review
What were the 2 social classes in Rome?
PATRICIANS and PLEBIANS
What was the most important lawmaking body?
The Senate
In Rome, what was a Dictator?
Someone who ruled TEMPORARILY in
emergencies
Review
What happened on the Ides of March
(March 15)?
Julius Caesar was killed
What title did Octavian take?
Augustus