Download 2 Roman Society 2

BELLWORK
• What is the difference between Patricians and
Plebians?
• What type of government did Rome have?
(what was it a combination of?)
• How was Rome’s military organized?
• How could someone obtain citizenship in
Rome? What rights did they have as citizens?
• THINKER: What similarities does the
government of Ancient Rome have with
America’s government?
Roman Expansion
• Punic Wars: 264BC-146BC, series of
three wars between Rome and the NorthAfrican city state of Carthage.
• Both wanted control of western
Mediterranean.
• Rome was victorious and captured all
cities from the Mediterranean to Spain to
Asia Minor.
Carthaginian General Hannibal crossing the
Alps during the Second Punic War.
Romans attack
on Carthage
Romans attack
on Carthage
The Republic in Crisis
• Rome’s military expansion encompassed
multiple countries with no regard to their way of
life/culture  REVOLT!
• Roman officials overtaxed residents 
REVOLT!
• Wealthy Romans acquired large estates and
used slaves to work their land – this put small
farmers out of their business and homes 
REVOLT!
• Putting down these revolts cost Rome a lot of
troops, money, and resources.
Reform
• In the 50’s BC, Julius Caesar, took over the
government and named himself dictator.
• Expanded empire to Gaul (France)
• Gave jobs to unemployed, public land to the
poor, and citizenship to conquered peoples.
• Some Romans loved Caesar for his reforms,
others saw him as a tyrant who meant to end
the republic and make himself king.
• On March 15, 44 BC, Cesar was assassinated
by a group of government officials.
Reform
• After a period of civil war, Caesar’s nephew,
Augustus, became the ruler of Rome in 32 BC.
• In the 40 years of Augustus’ reign he introduced
many reforms:
• Attacked government corruption
• Imported food for Rome’s poor
• Constructed magnificent buildings
• Begun Pax Romana (Roman Peace) which
lasted 200 years
“I found Rome
a city of bricks,
and left it a city
of marble”
-Augustus
Caesar
Roman Society: Graphic Organizer
• In your notes, create a graphic organizer with a
row for the following points:
• Law and Order
• Trade, Engineering and Science
• Daily Life
• Language and Literature
• The columns will address Roman Society and
American Society – since there are a lot of
similarities.
• In your book, read pages73-75 and we will fill in
the chart together.
Roman Slavery, Gladiators, and the
Spartacus Revolt
• Even though some Romans had rights, slaves
were the lowest class in society.
• Gladiators were used for personal
entertainment.
• You are now going to complete a worksheet that
addresses these groups in Roman society.
• ½ of the worksheet is review (use pgs. 71 & 72)
the other ½ is from the article.
• Answer the questions on your OWN sheet of
paper.