THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

Natural Advantages of the City: 1. located on fertile, coastal plain 2. Tiber River 3. located on seven hills

Nomadic, Indo-European people migrated southwest and settle on the Tiber River.

Traditional Founding Date for Rome: 750 B.C.

Roman Legends 1. Romulus and Remus 2. Aeneas

750 - 509 B.C.Early Romans fought with other tribes for control of the area. Through trade, they encountered Phoenicians and Greeks and adopted many of their ideas.

600 B.C. Etruscans conquered Rome, and ruled them for about 100 years. During this period, Romans adopt alphabet, art styles, religion, and building techniques.

509 B.C.Romans overthrow the Etruscans and establish a Republic which lasts 500 years. All citizens with the right to vote choose their leaders. The elected leaders represent the people and rule in their name. This is a Representative Democracy.

Three Social Classes of the Early Republic:

Patricians - wealthy landowners (citizens, can vote and hold public office)

Plebeians - common people (citizens, can vote but not hold public office)

Slaves - no rights

Consuls (2) - served a one year term1. directed the government and commanded the army2. have veto power over the other consul3. become a senator after the one year term

GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC

Senate - 300 patricians who served for life1. guided foreign and domestic policy2. chose two CONSULS each year from patrician

class

Assembly of Centuries - composed of citizens1. passed laws and elected consuls2. chose officials: praetors and censors

Assembly of Tribes - composed of plebeians onlyelected ten TRIBUNES - patricians who

spoke for their interest in the Senate.

Praetors - eight judges who serve one year terms1. two oversee civil and criminal courts2. six oversee courts in provinces

GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC

In an emergency (crisis) situation, the Senate could appoint a dictator who had absolute power for six months.

12 TABLES OF LAW (451 B.C.)First written law code of Rome - (carved into 12 stone tablets)

1. Very strict laws - eye for an eye2. Continued the separation of patricians and plebeians

FAMILYRomans had large familiesFather had absolute control over his house -

paterfamilia1. could sell a son or daughter2. decides infant mortality

WOMENCitizens, but no political rightsMarriages are arranged by father around the age of 14Can be seen in public

RELIGIONWorshipped gods of those they conqueredNo national religion

By 256 B.C. - Rome has conquered the Greek city-states of Southern Italy and now controls the whole peninsula. Rome grants citizenship to some, others are allowed to govern their own affairs. This ensures loyalty!

Cultural Diffusion - Rome builds a network of roads that begin in Rome and spread throughout Italy. (Appian Way) Built for the military, they helped increase trade and communication and the exchange of ideas. Settlement of troops in different regions spread Roman customs and language.

THE EXPANSION OF ROME

Cause: Because Rome conquered Greek city-states, it inherited a trade rivalry in the Western

Mediterranean Sea.

Result: Rome defeats Carthage in three wars which result in Roman control of the Western Mediterranean Sea

PUNIC WARS (264 - 146 B.C.) Carthage (Phoenician) vs. Rome

Government of New Territories (provinces)

1. gave nearby Latins citizenship2. allowed conquered people to keep customs and local government3. settle Roman soldiers in the provinces4. each province was headed by a governor (appt. by Senate)

The effects of creating an empire were both good and bad.

GOOD1. Roman and Hellenistic culture were spread2. Trade and commerce increased 3. Tribute poured into the city in the form of grain, treasure, and slaves.

BAD1. Grain from the provinces created a surplus in Rome. Prices fell and small farmers had to sell their land to payoff their debts.2. Vast amounts of treasure cause inflation.3. Slaves were brought back to work on the Latifundia. The small farmer cannot compete and is forced out of work.

DECLINE OF THE REPUBLICAttempts at Reform: Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus (Tribunes)

1. want to limit the amount of land one person can own2. redistribute land to the poor3. settle landless poor in the provinces

Senate opposed their reforms and the Gracchus brothers are murdered.Civil War begins in 88 B.C. as generals compete for power.

1. Between 88 - 44 B.C. a series of dictators rule Rome.2. Cornelius Sulla abolished the law limiting the 6 month term limit.

1st TRIUMVIRATE (60 B.C.)Julius Caesar Gnaeus Pompey

Marcus Crassus

44 B.C.: Julius Caesar is given the title by the Senate “Dictator for Life” and rules as an "Absolute Ruler"

Caesar’s Reforms:a. redistributed land to the poorb. granted citizenship to people in the provincesc. public building projectsd. increased soldiers pay

Caesar is assassinated in the Senate on March 15, 44 B.C. (Brutus and Cassius) because some thought he was becoming too powerful and dangerous

2nd TRIUMVIRATEOctavianMark AntonyMarcus Lepidus

1. capture and kill Caesar’s killers2. power struggle occurs between Octavian and Mark Antony3. Octavian defeats Antony in a naval battle (Actium)4. Octavian is undisputed ruler of Rome 5. Given the title “AUGUSTUS” by the Senate. He is now Emperor of the Romans.

ROME IS NOW AN EMPIRE