Download Readings on aspects of Roman Life

Many factors contributed to the military success of the Romans.
Introduction.
The Romans succeeded in both conquering and managing diverse people and territories
because of four basic reasons. These reasons relate to Rome’s favorable geography,
strong family values, great military strength and wise (smart) leadership.
Directions: In groups of 4, students with complete the graphic organizer regarding
Roman life
Geography. In conquering the hostile people surrounding Rome-Etruscans in the north,
hill tribes in central Italy and Greeks in the south- the Romans were favored by
geography. One important advantage was the city’s central location on the Italian
peninsula. This position gave the Romans a strategic advantage over their enemies, who
had difficulty uniting successfully.
Another advantage resulted from the mountainous terrain of the Italian peninsula. The
Alps to the north kept all but the most determined invaders from entering the peninsula.
In addition, the Romans were not hurt by the hurt by the Apennines (mountains), which
run down most of the Italian peninsula. These mountains were not as rugged as those
found in Greece and therefore did not work against Rome’s unification of the area.
LIST THE GEOGRAPHIC CAUSES THAT MADE THE ROMANS STRONG
AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE ROMAN SOCIETY.
Family values. Most of the early Romans were farmers. The lived simply, worked hard,
and fought well. In general, the Roman family was a close-knit group held together by
affection., the necessities of a frugal (poor) life and the strict authority of parents. Both
parents played important roles in family activities and taught their children loyalty,
courage, and self-control. Most Romans took their civic and religious duties seriously.
The stern virtues prized by Roman family life were a source of strength to the early
republic. In later years, when increasing power and wealth began to undermine family
life, some people were unhappy about the passing of the old order. “Rome stands built
upon the ancient ways of life,” warned a poet of the 5th century who felt that need for a
change.
LIST THE FAMILY VALUES THAT MADE THE ROMANS STRONG AND
THEIR EFFECTS ON THE ROMAN SOCIETY.
Social Classes. Roman laws in the early years of the republic favored the wealthy
landowners, known as partisans. Farmers, merchants and all other citizens were
plebeians. At first, the law did not protect plebeians, not they could vote or hold office. In
addition to these two social classes were the slaves. Slaves were foreigners who had been
captured in wars. Slaves in the Roman republic had no rights. Women could be citizens,
but no women were permitted to vote or hold political office. A woman was always
legally subordinate to man, first to her father, and after she married to her husband.
LIST THE ROMAN SOCIAL CLASSES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE
ROMAN SOCIETY.
Government organization. The Roman republic had separate branches of government in
order to prevent any one person or group in becoming too powerful. An executing branch
(president) was headed by two consuls, each elected for a one-year term. A legislative
branch consisted of a Senate that represented the patrician class and an Assembly that
represented the plebeian class. The Assembly elected ten tribunes, who had the power to
veto Senate-passed laws that might harm the plebeians.
LIST THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNEMENT AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE
ROMAN SOCIETY.
Law and Justice. Originally Roman laws were not written down. Plebeians were
sometimes punished for breaking laws that they did not know existed. Then in 451 B.C.
some basic Roman laws were written down and assembled in a collection called the
Roman law of the Twelve Tables. The following
important concepts formed the basis of the Roman law:
* All citizens are equal under the law.
* An accused person is innocent unless
proven guilty.
* An accused person has the right to know his or her accuses.
* People should not be punished for what they think.
* An accused person has the right to a trial by jury.
* Records of judges’ decisions are kept for use in subsequent cases.
Initially Roman law offered only limited human rights. For example, it did not allow a
plebeian to marry into a patrician family. Later people’s rights were expanded. Enslaved
people gained the right to purchase their freedom and become citizens.
LIST THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ROMAN LAW SYSTEM AND ITS
EFFECTS ON THE ROMAN SOCIETY.
Military Strength. The success of the Roman conquests was largely the result of a welltrained army of citizen-soldiers. The basic military unit was the legion, an infantry force
of 6,000 men at full strength. Each legion was divided into groups of 120 men. At first
only Roman property owners could be soldiers. However, as Rome expanded and the
need for soldiers increased, conquered people were forced to supply troops for the army.
In addition to enriching a strong army, Rome’s military strength also aided its political
goals. New military roads, such as the Appian Way, connected Rome to other cities on
the Italian peninsula. These new roads intended to speed the movement of troops, also
opened up trade and communication among Italian cities.
LIST THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ROMAN ARMY AND ITS EFFECTS
ON THE ROMAN SOCIETY.