The Roman Republic
Chapter 6, Section 1
Geography
Begins as one city on the Italian Peninsula 7 hills on Tiber River Arable land Agrarian economy Agriculture Natural Barriers Alps to North Trade Routes via Mediterranean Sea & Adriatic Sea
Early contact with Greek culture (cultural diffusion)
The First Romans
Earliest Settler in Prehistoric Times 1000 500 BC Latins, Greeks, Etruscans settle & fight. 750 600 BC Greeks had colonies along southern Italy & Sicily
Etruscan contributions to Rome
Lucius Tarquinius became the first Etruscan ruler of Rome in 616 B.C. The Etruscans used a modified version of the Greek Alphabet. The Romans then adopted it. The Romans also took customs from the Etruscans such as Gladiator Games, fasces, and religious beliefs.
Government in Rome
Early government monarchy & tyrants 509 BC establish a republic (power lies with citizens because they elect leaders)
Citizens in Rome were free-born males
Only citizens could vote
2 groups Patricians & Plebeians Patricians wealthy landowners (held most power)
Inherited social power & status
Plebeians common farmers, artisans, merchants (majority of population)
Citizens of Rome with the right to vote Not allowed to hold important government positions Eventually allowed to form own assembly & elect representatives called tribunes
Roman Forum
Forum Today
Twelve Tablets
Written code of laws Laws carved on twelve tablets Hung in the Forum (public meeting place) Idea that all free citizens had the right to protection of the law
Government in the Republic
Republic government by representatives 2 officials called Consuls
Limited power 1 year term / could only serve 1 term every 10 years Could VETO each other
Senate
300 members of upper class Roman society Legislative functions (made laws)
Tribal Assembly
Assembly organized by plebeians
Dictator could be appointed by the republic in times of crisis. Only had power for 6 months
Dictator has absolute power to make laws & command the army
Government Recap
3 Branches
Legislative branch makes laws
Senate legislative branch in Rome Member for life Tribunes representatives of plebeians
Executive branch enforces the law
Consuls 2 patricians consult one another, VETO
Judicial branch interpret laws
Praetors - judges
Law Recap
Roman ideas became basis for Western law
Innocent until proven guilty All equal in the eyes of the law Person can only be punished for actions, not thoughts Unreasonable or unfair laws set aside
The Roman Army
All citizens who owned land were required to serve in the military Those who wanted to hold public office had to serve 10 years in the military Soldiers organized into units called legions Infantry & Calvary Century smaller legion of 80 men
Legionnaires
Rome Conquers
Conquer Etruscans to the north & Greek city-states to the south Conquered people became citizens or allies Carthage (former Phoenician city-state) opposed Romes growth
Competition for Trade
Punic Wars
Rome vs. Carthage 3 wars 1st Punic War
Fought for control of Sicily & western Mediterranean 23 years (261 243 BC) Carthage defeated
Second Punic War 218 BC Hannibal Carthages military strategist Hannibals army 50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry, 60 elephants
Led them from Spain across France & Alps to surprise Romans Won victories up & down Italy for over 10 years Roman allies aided & helped to protect Rome
Third Punic War (149 146 BC)
Scipio Roman General Attacked Hannibal & forced him to defend Carthage 146 BC Rome defeats Carthage
City set to fire 50,000 inhabitants sold into slavery
