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Chapter 6 Section 1. Romans create a Republic. Roman Legends. Home of Romulus and Remus. According to Roman legend Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus who were the sons of the god Mars and a Latin Princes. They were abandoned by the Tiber River and raised by a she-wolf. The Reality.
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Chapter 6 Section 1 Romans create a Republic
Roman Legends Home of Romulus and Remus • According to Roman legend Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus who were the sons of the god Mars and a Latin Princes. • They were abandoned by the Tiber River and raised by a she-wolf.
The Reality • Rome was actually settled because of its strategic location and the availability of good soil.
Groups that settled the Area • Latins: were shepherds and farmers who built small settlements or huts on top of Palatine Hill. • Greeks: Established about 50 colonies across S. Italy and Sicily and brought Greek Civilization to all of Italy. They also taught Romans how to grow olives and grapes. • Etruscans: Native to N. Italy. Romans adopted their alphabet and began to use the arch in their architecture.
Religion • Romans borrowed religious ideas from Greeks. • They changed the names of Greek gods and used Etruscan rituals to win favor from the gods.
Critical Thinking Question: The Romans changed the names of the Greek gods, why do you think they did this? Do you think it was a good idea or a bad idea?
Etruscan influence • 600 B.C.E. an Etruscan became King. • Under this King Rome grew to a city almost 500 square miles. • The Valley below Paletine Hill was drained and would later become the Forum. • The King ordered the first temples and public buildings built.
Roman Republic • 509 B.C.E. aristocrats overthrew the Etruscan King and vowed to put to death anyone who tried to become king again. • They established a Republic in place of the monarchy. • Form of government where power rests in the hands of the people, who have the right to select their own leaders. • Only free-born males allowed the right to vote.
Critical Thinking Question Who has the right to vote in the United States today? Who do you think SHOULD have the right to vote?
Balance of Power • During the days of the early Republic there was fighting over power between the Patricians and Plebeians. • Patricians: aristocratic landowners that held most of the power. They believed they inherited the right to govern. • Plebeians: common farmers, merchants and artisans who made up most of the population. They were not allowed to hold the highest government offices but were eventually allowed to form tribunes. • Tribunes help to protect the rights of the people.
Twelve Tables • 451 B.C.E. a group of 10 officials began writing down the Roman laws to prevent the Patricians from interpreting them to suit their own needs.
New Type of Rule • Rome had 2 consuls put in place to rule. • Could only hold office for 1 year and could not be elected again for 10 years. • Each had the power to veto the other’s decision
Senate Senate House • The aristocratic branch. • 300 Members (1st aristocrats then later plebeians) • Performed legislative and administrative functions. • Provided stability for the government because members held their position for life.
Dictator • Leader with absolute power. • In times of crisis the Senate had the power to appoint a dictator to rule.
Critical Thinking Question Why would people want a dictator in times of crisis? Can a dictator be a good thing? What should people be worried about when a dictator takes power in times of crisis?
Roman Legions • All Roman citizens were required to serve in the army. • Legions: large military units made up of 5,000 armed foot soldiers that could work together as one unit or separately as needed.
Rise and Fall of Rome • By the 4th century Rome dominated the Italian Peninsula. • In 390 B.C.E. the Gauls invaded and sacked Rome. • To reestablish control the Romans rebuilt the city and subdued one rival after another until all were gone. • By 265 B.C.E. Rome controlled all of Italy but the Po River Valley.
Punic Wars • Began in 264 B.C.E. between Carthage and Rome. • Lasted from 264-146 B.C.E. • 1st war: was fought for control of Sicily.
Punic Wars cont. • 2nd war: began in 218 B.C. • Carthaginian mastermind was Hannibal • Crossed the Alps into France with 50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry and 60 elephants. • Most died in the trek across the Alps. • Fought up and down the Italian Peninsula for 10 years.
Second Punic War • The Roman general Scipio was the first to figure out a way to stop Hannibal. • He attacked Carthage and forced Hannibal to go home to protect the city.
3rd Punic War • 146 B.C. Rome set fire to Carthage and sold all its residents into slavery. • The territory was made into a province of Africa. • Because Rome won the Punic wars they controlled all of the western Mediterranean.
