The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic All roads lead to Rome. Rome was not built in a day. When in Rome . . . How did Rome win such a place in modern popular culture?

The History of Rome in 2 Minutes!Lets read about it!The Founding of Rome

Woof!The Site of Rome

Legend has it that Romulus built Rome on the Palentine Hill one of the Seven Hills of Rome

RomulusRemusRome's EliteFortresses & GovernmentGeography & RomePeople settled on seven hills along the Tiber River between 1000-900 BCECalled Latins or ItalicsMany geographical advantages:Easy to defendFertile soilAccess to rivers allows for trade in the Mediterranean SeaOther more powerful societies controlled the rest of the Italian peninsulaExample: Greeks and Etruscans

Ancient Roman HistoryCan be broken into three erasFor over 200 years, Rome was a KingdomFor about 500 years, Rome was a RepublicFor about 500 years, Rome was an Empire

Roman KingdomReally Etruscan Kingdom

Roman Republic

Roman EmpireThe EtruscansEarly kings of RomeNot much is known as their written works did not surviveWho were they?Most developed Latin/Italic peopleLocated in northern, central ItalyMost likely descendants of modern-day Turkey and native Italian populationBy 6th century BCE they were the most powerful city state (modeled after the Greek system)

Romans Take ControlRomans resented the all-powerful Etruscan kings who gave them no say in their government509 BCE the Romans revolted against Lucius Tarquinius SuperbusResult: End of the Etruscan kings

Super

Romans Take ControlRomans keep many Etruscan ideas:Hierarchy of Gods (Greek in origin)Alphabet (also Greek in origin)TogaI told you they borrowed freely from other cultures!

Toga! Toga!Toga!

RomeThe America of the Ancient WorldJust a smidgen of Phoenician A spoonful of PersianA dollop of EgyptianA heaping portion of GreekYum, Etruscan!Goin back for Greek seconds!Romans Form a Republic Romans never wanted a king again or any government with a single rulerEstablish a Republicwhat is it?Republic literally comes from a Roman term Res Publica, or the public concern or public affairsThis essentially translates to sharing all power

Romans Form a RepublicBy 264 BCE the Romans controlled the entire Italian peninsulaThe Republican Government consisted of1. The ConsulsTwo chief officials who led the governmentAppointed to perform the duties that, prior to them, the king was responsible for, like military authority and ensuring civic welfare and acting as chief diplomat and religious authority.Elected once a year; Each had equal power; could veto the other

15Romans Form a RepublicBy 264 BCE the Romans controlled the entire Italian peninsulaThe Republican Government consisted of2. The SenateOriginally advisors to the kingChosen by consuls300 upper-class patriciansMembers for lifeMost powerful part of the governmentDeliberated on and voted on laws (consuls proposed)The model for the US government

16Romans Form a RepublicWhat were the pros of this system compared to monarchy?

What possible problems could this lead to?

CONS

PROSRomans Form a RepublicDictatorRoman official who had all the power of a king, but could only hold office for 6 monthsUsed only in dire emergenciesPraetorsJunior consuls who helped develop first rules for Roman judicial system (courts)

18The People of RomePatricians Members of wealthy families; only people eligible for the SenatePlebeians everyone else in ancient Rome (except the patricians) from well-to-do tradesmen all the way down to the very poor

Patricians & PlebsSimilarities :Both pater familiasBoth could own slavesCitizens of Rome were adult freemen from both classes - plebs and patricians. Women, children, and slaves were not citizensDifferences:Did not mix sociallyIllegal for plebs and patricians to marryLifestyles were very different Patricians very wealthy and lived an opulent lifestyle, plebs did not20

Problems With the System?The Senate (power) was only open to patrician familiesPlebeians resented the Senate who:Took riches from warCreated prosperous farms run by slavesLeft many plebian famers unemployedReaction: Plebeians refuse to serve in the military in protest!

Concessions to the PlebeiansTwelve Tables 450 BCE; a board of 10 men were entrusted to draw up a basic legal tradition and publish them on wood (later bronze) to be placed in the forumCreation of the Assembly an elected body that had 10 Tribunes to discuss and decide issues on behalf of PlebeiansPlebs could marry into Patrician familiesEventually Senators could be Plebs (but very uncommon)The Assembly EvolvesEventually the Assembly was given the power to elect the two consuls every yearSowhat would be the impact?!?AppointsDictator in times of extreme need (6 months)SenateAssemblyAppointed by ConsulAdvises Consuls

Elected by Assembly24The Roman MilitaryRoman army had 30 LegionsEach Legion had about 5,500 menEach Legion was divided into 10 units called Cohorts The First Cohort consisted of approximately 800 menHad specialists such as blacksmiths or engineersThe other 9 Cohorts consisted of approximately 480 menEach Cohort was divided into 6 Centuries of about 80 menEach Century was commanded by a CenturionThe First Cohort only had 5 centuries

The First CohortThe centurion of the first cohort's first century was the primus pilus , or "first spear," and was the highest ranking centurion in the entire legionMilitary Attire