The Roman Republic
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Transcript of The Roman Republic
The Roman Republic
Before the Romans…
• Various civilizations across the peninsula
• Latins in 800 BCE– Legend: Romulus &
Remus and the founding of Rome
• The most influential on Romans (later) were the Etruscans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA1D9wd29jI
Etruscan Writing
Romans Establish a Republic
• Res Republica ~ Latin for “that which belongs to the people”–One of ancient Rome’s greatest
contributions to our modern world–Lasts for nearly 500 years beginning in
509 BCE
Basic Terms
• Patrician: landowning upper class (aristocrats)
• Plebian: farmers, merchants, artisans, traders–Most of population
• Assembly: group of persons gathered for a specific, common reason
The Senate• In the early Republic, Senate controlled
by and made up of patricians only• Duties & Privileges–served for life–elected officials–passed laws–determined foreign policy–acted as a court
The Forum - Then and Now
Consuls• Each year, two were nominated by the
Senate from the Patrician class• Checks put on their power–could serve only one term–had to approve one another’s
decisions• In war, the Senate chose a dictator–granted absolute power for 6 months
Plebians Fight for their Rights• Tribunes – elected officials of the Plebians–protected interests of the Plebians–could veto laws seen as harmful to them
• Called for Rome’s laws to be written and published–Twelve Tablets
• Over time, chosen as Consuls and allowed into the Senate
Roman Republic Grows
• By 270 BCE, controlled most of Italian Peninsula–Use citizen-soldiers in groups called
Legions• Treated defeated enemies with justice• Italy begins to unite under Roman rule
Policy of Imperialism
• Control over foreign lands and people• Punic Wars ~ 264-146 BCE–Fought (and defeated) Carthage 3
times• Moved into Eastern Mediterranean–Called the Mediterranean Mare
Nostrum (“Our Sea”)
Impacts of Imperialism at Home• Rome becomes very rich• widespread use of slave labor on
Latifundias–huge estates with large farm tracts–hurt small farmers–jobless/landless move into cities
• greed and self interest replaced traditional Roman values
Roman Republic Declines
• series of civil wars–At issue – Who should hold power?
• established Legions had more loyalty to commanders–rival commanders marched their
armies into Rome to advance their own ambitions
Enter… Julius Caesar