The Roman Republic

1. The Roman Republic SS.B.2.4.1-4; SC.D.2.4.1; SS.A.2.4.3-5

2. Escaping Etruscan Rule • 753-509 B.C.: Rome is under Etruscan influence, ruled by seven kings • 509 B.C.: Romans overthrow last king • A Roman republic is formed • After the formation of the Roman Republic, Rome spends the next 200 years at war with hostile neighbors • 338-288 B.C.: Rome conquers entire Plain of Latium, and large swaths of central Italy

3. Growing Roman Power • The new lands under Roman control brought the Romans in closer contact with the Greek colonies to the south • By 264 B.C. Rome was at war with the Greek colonies in southern Italy, and the Etruscans to the north. • 260 B.C.: Rome controls most of Italy • Rome adopts the best of Greek and Etruscan cultures

4. The Roman Confederation • To rule Italy, the Romans formed a confederation : • Some communities, most Latins, were given full Roman citizenship • Other communities were made allies: • Free to run own affairs/communities • Must provide soldiers for Roman army • Italian allies could achieve citizenship • Confederation made conquered peoples feel they were a big part of Rome and Roman success 

5. Roman Success • Roman historian Livy, tells stories depicting virtues Romans should aspire to • Romans=good diplomats • citizenship, autonomy • Military might and infrastructure • Forts, roads, weaponry • Practical government • Creating government institutions in response to problems, not to preempt them

6. Roman Government • Rome was made of two classes of people: • Patricians: great land-owners, rulers • Plebeians: less wealthy land-owners, craftsman, merchants, farmers • Executive offices of government: • Consuls: 2 elected every year to run government and lead army into battle • Praetors: in charge of Roman civil law, citizens, eventually another was added for cases involving one or more noncitizens

7. The Roman Senate • Enjoyed a special place in Roman society • 300 patricians who served for life • Began as advisory group for leaders • 300 B.C. the advice of the Senate is law • Centuriate Assembly: another assembly in charge of electing consuls and praetors, and passing laws.

8. The Struggle of the Orders • Patricians vs. Plebeians • not allowed to marry outside your class • Plebeians: serve in army + protecting republic= equal rights • Council of the Plebes: 471 BC, tribunes protect plebeians, plebeians allowed to become consuls. By 287 BC, council has ability to pass law. All men can vote. • New senatorial class keeps power

9. Roman Law • Rome’s system of law=gift to world • First laws= Twelve Tables (450 BC) • Small farming system, not good for big city • New civil laws applied only to citizens • Laws of Nations: Laws for to apply standard of justice for all; based on reason • Innocent until proven guilty • Right to defend oneself before a judge

10. Rome On A Warpath • After conquering Italy, Rome clashes with another power in the Med.--Carthage • Phoenician city-state founded 800 BC • Carthaginian Empire included N. Africa, Spain, Corsica, Sardinia and W. Sicily • Controlled trade in Western Med. Sea • Rome did not like Carthaginians in Sicily being so close to Italy--clash in 264 BC

11. First Punic War • 264 BC: war b/w Rome and Carthage • “Punic” comes for Roman word for Phoenician (punicus) • Rome sends troops to Sicily, part of Carthaginian Empire, Carthage reads as act of war • Rome builds a navy to wage war • 241: Roman navy beats Carthage, gains control of Sicily • Carthage expands Spanish holdings, vows revenge

12. The Second Punic War • Rome encourages Spanish revolt • Hannibal, decides to bring war to Rome • From Spain, Hannibal brings army of 46,000 men, with horses and 37 elephants across the Alps--most elephants died • 216 BC: Rome meets Hannibal, loses at Cannae, Rome loses army of 40,000+ • Rome raises another army

13. The Battle Continues… • Hannibal takes control of many Italian cities, free to roam Italy, but not powerful enough to take major cities • 206 BC: Rome takes back Italian cities, and pushes Carthage out or Spain • 202 BC: Battle of Zama, Rome takes fight to Carthage, Hannibal recalled from Italy, crushed by Romans • Rome dominates Mediterranean region

14. Third Punic War • 50 years later powerful Romans call for complete destruction of Carthage • 146 BC: Carthage destroyed, buildings burned, Carthange=Roman province of “Africa”, 50,000+ sold as slaves • Rome also battled Hellenistic Kingdoms • 148 BC: Macedonia=Roman province • 146 BC: Greece=Roman province • 129 BC: Pergamum becomes first Roman province in Asia