The Roman Republic

Geography

• Italian Peninsula• Along the Tiber River• Mountains to the North• Rocky Coastlines hindered trade• Shallow Rivers• Center of trade for Three Continents

Tiber River

Founding of Rome

The Legend of Romulus & Remus According to tradition, Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC. They were twin brothers, sons of a human mother and the god of war, Mars. After their birth, the king ordered them killed. They were placed in a basket and put into the Tiber River - left to die from exposure in the outdoors. But their basket washed up on the river bank where they were found by a female wolf. The wolf nursed the hungry babies and cared for them until they were found by a shepherd. The shepherd and his wife raised the babies as their own. Romulus and Remus grew up and helped overthrow the king who had ordered their death. They wanted to build their own city along the Tiber River where their basket had washed ashore. They disagreed about where it should be, and Romulus killed Remus during their quarrels. Romulus built the city of Rome on one of the seven hills along the Tiber – the Palatine hill – and lived a long life as king of Rome..

Founding of Rome• Latins built original settlement

atop one of its 7 rolling hills.• Indo-European speaking people

from Central Europe• They were attracted by the fertile

soil and climate• Crossed the Alps and conquered

the natives set up Rome overlooking the Tiber.

Latin Life

• Farmed and raised cattle• Patriarchal families (run by fathers) • Worshipped tribal gods: Polytheistic• Defended Rome against attacks

Etruscans

Etruscans• Etruscans were an Eastern European nomadic

tribe that settled on the Italian Peninsula• 750 BC Etruscans gained control Rome• Tarquins, a wealthy Etruscan family, provided

kings for Rome. • The last King was Tarquin the Proud who was a

harsh tyrant and was driven out of power.• Romans decided they would never again be

ruled by a king and set up a republic.

Etruscan Accomplishments

• Metal weapons• New military tactics• Drained Marshes• Built the Forum• Elevated Rome to one of the richest cities in

Italy

- A republic is a form of government in which power rests with the citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders.

- In Rome different groups struggled for power. 2 main groups were the patricians and plebeians.

Rome as a republic

Patricians(Aristocrats)

Plebeians•Farmers•Merchants•Artisans

Freedmen

Slaves•City Slaves•Household Slaves

(Early Republic)

Early Roman Republic

• Two major classes • Patricians-new wealthy aristocratic class, the

nobility• Plebeians-Included wealthy non-aristocratic

landowners, merchants, shop keepers, small farmers, and laborers

Roman Patrician

Rights

• Patricians had the right to vote, pay taxes, and hold public office

• Plebeians could vote but could not hold public office but were taxed heavily. After a lot of struggle on the plebeians part, they were eventually allowed to form their own assembly to protect their rights.

• These elected officials were called tribunes

The Republic becomes more Democratic

• 5th-3rd Centuries BC• plebeians gain considerable political power• codification of the Twelve Tables• Plebeians threaten to walk out of the city• patricians and plebeians willingly

compromised for the good of the Republic

Twelve tables – this was an important victory for the plebeians . It was the written law and ensured that patrician officials could not just change the laws to suit themselves anymore. They were written on 12 stone tablets and hung in the Roman Forum.

Roman Forum

Senate Building

ROMAN GOVERNMENT (The Republic)

Senate Assembly of Centuries

Assembly ofTribes

•300 members•Most powerful branch•Controlled public funds•Made Political Appointments

•Declared War & Peace•Elected Magistrates

•Made up by Plebeians•Elected 10 Tribunes who had veto power over Senate & magistrates

Legislative Branch

2Consuls 2

CensorsDictator

•Elected to 1 year terms•Commanded Military•Presided over Senate•Ran Daily Government•Could Veto each other

•Conducted Census•Assessed Taxes•Supervised Morals

•Elected only during crisis•Absolute Power•Served 6 month terms

Executive Branch (Magistrates)

Judicial BranchPraetor Praetor PraetorPraetorPraetor Praetor Praetor Praetor

Praetors created Roman law through court decisions


Senate

Assembly of Centuries

Assembly ofTribes

•300 members•Most powerful branch•Controlled public funds•Made Political Appointments

•Declared War & Peace•Elected Magistrates

•Made up by Plebeians•Elected 10 Tribunes who had veto power over Senate and Magistrates

Legislative Branch


2Consuls

2Censors

Dictator

•Elected to 1 year terms•Commanded Military•Presided over Senate•Ran Daily Government•Could Veto each other

•Conducted Census•Assessed Taxes•Supervised Morals

•Elected only during crisis•Absolute Power•Served 6 month terms

Executive Branch (Magistrates)

Judicial Branch

Praetor

Praetors created Roman law through court decisions

Praetor PraetorPraetor Praetor Praetor Praetor PraetorPraetor

Rome gains control of Italy

• In a series of wars Rome conquered the Italian peninsula (256 BCE).

• Pyhrric War• Conquered Italy because of powerful armies,

ability to move troops, and wise treatment of conquered peoples.

Carthage

Rome Conquers the Mediterranean

• Carthage– Rome’s chief rival: modern day Tunisia– Carthage was an interference to Roman trading – Originally a Phoenician (Punic) colony– Carthaginians attacked Roman trading vessels– Roman merchants demanded protection– This was the beginning of the Punic Wars.

Punic Wars 264 – 146 BCE

• Rome vs. Carthage• 3 wars were fought• 1. For control of Sicily (Rome)

• 2. Hannibal avenging Carthage by capturing Rome (unsuccessful).• 3. Rome attacks Carthage (Carthage becomes a

Roman province)

Rome’s victories gave it dominance over the western Mediterranean.

Hannibal VS. Scipio

Rome After the Punic Wars

Roman Roads and Empire

Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion

Collapse of the Small Farmer Small farmers were the backbone of Roman

military After wars of expansion they returned to

desolated farms Unable to afford repairs, they were forced to

sell to large landowners


Disparities of Wealth Nobles grew wealthier by expanding their

estates They lived lives of luxury and ease The poor became poorer Hard work, discipline, and patriotism, began

to disappear


Growth of Slavery Many conquered enemies became slaves Nobles began using them on their estates

rather than paying workers Unemployment grew among citizens because

of slavery Slaves outnumbered citizens

Roman ExpansionProblems of Expansion

Migration to the Cities Small farmers who sold land were forced to move to

cities in search of work Cities suffered severe unemployment and overcrowding.

Slums developed. Roman government had to set up a welfare program to

support the poor Bread programs and circuses were set up to keep the

poor masses happy


Corruption in the Provinces Roman officials appointed to govern the

provinces were corrupted by the lure of quick wealth

Bribery and Tax Farming became common Discontentment grew in the provinces


Changes in Roman Military With the disappearance of the small farmer, the

nature of the army began to change Individual commanders began building their own

armies and paid mercenaries Soldiers were promised a share of the booty and land

in return for service Soldiers were loyal to commanders rather than Rome


Attempts at Reform Two brothers, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus were elected as

Tribunes and attempted reforms to help the poor Tiberius was assassinated by several senators in 133 BC Gaius continued to work on reforms and attempted to limit

power of the Senate. He was killed in a riot Rome fell into disarray. Civil War followed.

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar• In 60 BC three men--- Julius Caesar, a popular

leader; Pompey, a famous general; and Crassus, a wealthy noble formed the First Triumvirate

• Caesar became a general and through his victories in Gaul gained his army’s loyalty

• In 49 BC, the senate feared Caesar’s power and demanded that he disband his army

Julius Caesar Cont’• Caesar refused to disband his army and invaded

Rome• He defeated Pompey’s army and became dictator of

Rome. In 46 BCE he was appointed dictator for life.• Caesar planned to establish a stable government,

reform provincial rule, provide land for the poor, and beautify Rome

• Unfortunately for Caesar he was assassinated in 44 BCE.

Julius Caesar began many reforms before his death:1. Granted roman citizenship to many people in

provinces.2. Expanded the Senate (with supporters)3. Created jobs for the poor through the

creation of new public buildings4. Increased pay for soldiers and5. developed colonies where those who did not

own land could become property owners.

Assassination of Julius Caesar

What senators assassinated Julius Caesar?

They were worried about his growing popularity.

Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius

Julius Caesar Funeral Pile

Octavian VS. Antony

• After Caesar’s death civil war erupted once again. The army of Brutus and Cassius was defeated by forces led by Marc Antony and Caesar’s grandnephew Octavian

• Octavian and Antony then turned on one another after Antony fell in love with Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. Octavian alleged that Antony wanted to rule Rome from Egypt.

• Octavian defeated Antony at he battle of Actium• Octavian became the absolute ruler of the Roman

Empire

Octavian VS. Antony

The Roman Empire (27 BC- 476 AD)

The Roman Empire

Augustus(Octavian)

Augustus• From the senate Octavian excepted the title

Augustus, meaning “exalted one”• Rome was now an empire ruled by one man

• Rome was at its peak from Augustus’s rule in 27 BCE to 180 CE. For 207 years peace reigned – Pax Romana (Roman Peace).

Augustus • Glorified Rome with splendid public buildings• Set up civil service• Constructed roads and buildings• Augustus boasted that he transformed Rome

from a city of brick into a city of marble

By the time of the empire there were huge differences between the classes. The rich lived extravagantly, but most barely had the necessities in life. The government supported these people with daily rations of grain.To distract and control the masses the government provided free games, races, and gladiator contests. People would pack into the Colosseum to watch these games.

New Religion develops

• Another activity that developed during this time that was born as a movement within Judaism. People changed from the worship of many gods to a more personal relationship.

• This new religion is called Christianity which will become the most popular religion in the world.

The Roman Republic

Documents

Transcript of The Roman Republic