Ancient Rome and Early Christianity

The Roman RepublicChapter 6Section 1

Republic Hannibal Patrician Plebian Tribune Consul Senate Dictator Legion Punic Wars

Vocab

Legend of Rome:

Founded in 753 B.C.E. by Romulus and Remus

Twin sons of the god Mars

Abandoned at the Tiber River and raised by a she-wolf

Origins of Rome

The First Roman’s

First to arrive between 1000-500 B.C.E 3 groups of people

Latin's- settled in Rome on Palatine Hill Greek’s- establish colonies along southern Italy

and Sicily Etruscan’s- native born to Italy; skilled in

metalwork and engineering; Roman’s will adopt their alphabet

Origins of Rome

Last King of Rome:

Tarquin the Proud- harsh king driven from power in 509 B.C.E.

Roman’s vowed they would never be ruled by a king again

Create republic; (res publica) citizens who have the right to vote for a leader

Citizen- only free white males

Early Republic

Early Republic

Patricians

Patricians: Patricians: wealthy

land owners Inherited power and

wealth; claim that status gives them authority to make laws for Rome

Plebeians

Plebeians: Plebeians: common farmers,

artisans, merchants who make up the majority population

Had the right to vote but could not hold important public office

Tribunes- elected representatives of the plebeians to protect the rights of the plebeians from the patricians

Twelve Tables:

Plebeians get a written law code Now patricians cannot twist the laws to benefit

themselves 451 B.C.E. Rome’s laws are scribed on 12

tablets hung in the forum

Early Republic

“Balanced” Government:

Romans believed they had taken the best aspects of a monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy

Government under the Republic

Consuls:

(2) Like kings; rule for 1 yr, cannot be re-elected for another 10yrs.

Run the military and the government One consul could always overrule or veto the

other

Government under the Republic

Senate:

Aristocratic branch of the government Held both legislative and administrative

responsibilities 300 members chosen from Rome’s elite Influence in both foreign and domestic affairs Tribal Assembly; made up of plebeians elected

tribunes to create laws for the common man

Government under the Republic

Dictator:

Absolute power to make laws and command the army

In times of crisis the Romans would elect a dictator to protect Rome

Power only last for 6 months Picked by the consuls and elected by the

senate

Government under the Republic

Roman Army

Placed great value on the military All citizens who owned land were required to

serve in the army Certain political office required 10 yrs of service Legion: 5,000 infantry (foot soldiers) supported

by cavalry Century- 80 men

Rome Spreads its Power

Rome Conquers Italy

4th century B.C.E. dominate central Italy Defeat the Etruscans in the north and the Greek

states in the south 265 B.C.E. Rome controls Italy The Latins were made full citizens of Rome Most conquered people became citizens without

the right to vote Or became allies; Rome would not interfere with

allies as long as they gave troops and didn’t make treaties with another state

Rome Spreads its Power

Rome’s Trading

Rome traded large amounts of goods with people throughout the Mediterranean Sea

Carthage, colony in North Africa begins to challenge Rome’s power……

Rome Spreads its Power

Punic Wars:

3 wars fought between Rome and Carthage from 264- 146 B.C.E.

1st Punic War: Fought to control Sicily and the West Med. And

Rome wins (1-0) Lasts 23 yrs

Rome Spreads its Power

2nd Punic War (218 B.C.E.):

Hannibal: Carthaginian general 29 yrs old; brilliant military strategists

Wants to avenge Carthage defeat

50,000 men, 9,000 cavalry and 60 elephants

Surprise attack; from Spain through France and down through the Alps

Rome Spreads its Power

Rome Triumphs:

General Scipio- Roman general that devised a plan to attack Carthage Forcing Hannibal to leave his campaign in Italy

Battle of Zama 202 B.C.E. Roman’s finally defeat Hannibal (2-0)

Rome Spreads its Power

Third Punic War 149-146 B.C.E.

Rome lays seize to Carthage Burn the city to the ground 50,000 people sold into slavery

Rome Spreads its Power