Roman Republic

Geography Italian peninsula is shaped like a

boot and extends into the Mediterranean, which became a highway for trade and conquest.

At the top of the boot are the Alps, which block cold weather.

The Po and Tiber Rivers provide water for farming.

The Apennines Mountains extend down the length of the peninsula, but are not a rugged barrier.

Fertile plains, south of the Alps and west of the Apennines, provided for good farming.

Natural harbors and long rivers facilitated trade.

Easier to unify than Greece.

Two Social Classes patricians –

members of the landholding upper class

plebians – farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders who made up the bulk of the Roman population - had little influence in government

Political Aspects 500 BCE - abandoned

monarchy and set up a republic – govt. where officials are chosen by the people

senate - 300 patricians - served for life and ran the govt.

two consuls - elected for 1-year term by senate to supervise the govt. and command the armies, could veto (block) each other’s decisions

dictator - chosen during war, a ruler with complete control over the govt. with emergency powers for six months

plebians wanted equal rights and representation

450 BCE - Laws of the Twelve Tables

gradual reforms were enacted

Military Aspects Brave and loyal soldiers,

superior military organization, and shrewd senatorial decisions led to military greatness.

Unpaid citizen soldiers evolved into army of paid professionals.

Conquered people had to acknowledge Roman leadership, pay taxes, and supply soldiers. They could keep their own customs, religion, money, and local government. Some gained citizenship.

Three Punic Wars 264-146 BCE : Rome

vs. Carthage Phoenician trading

empire in present day Tunisia (North Africa).

Fought over control of the western Mediterranean.

Carthage was ultimately destroyed.

Final Conquest gained control of

Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt

control of trade routes brought wealth from loot, taxes, and commerce

Social Deterioration wealthy landowners

used slave labor, which hurt small farmers who were forced to sell their land and move to Rome

gap between rich and poor widened - political corruption increased

angry mobs rioted - rival generals competed for power

100 years of civil wars and slave uprisings

Julius Caesar general whose

accomplishments and popularity intimidated the Senate

became dictator for life

enacted reforms to aid the lower class

his enemies had him stabbed to death

Civil War Mark Antony and Octavian

defeated the leaders of the conspiracy and shared rule of Roman world

Octavian defeated Mark Antony and the senate proclaimed him Augustus - the Exalted One

Augustus had absolute power during his rule from and he chose his successor

27 BCE marked the end of the Roman Republic and beginning of the Roman Empire

Cleopatra Connection Cleopatra VII was at war

with her brother/husband Ptolemy XIII.

She allied with Julius Caesar who was in Egypt.

She bore him a son and returned to Rome with him.

After Caesar’s assassination, she hooked up with Mark Antony, who was ruling the eastern part of the Roman world from Alexandria.

Fearful of their power, Octavian declared war against Egypt and defeated Mark Antony.

Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide.