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Rome the Republic. Government. Republic 2 elected consuls were the head Served a one-year term Controlled the army Senate Leaders from the Patricians Law-makers Controlled spending Chosen by Consuls Served for life 300 seats Assembly Plebeians
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Government • Republic • 2 elected consuls were the head • Served a one-year term • Controlled the army • Senate • Leaders from the Patricians • Law-makers • Controlled spending • Chosen by Consuls • Served for life • 300 seats • Assembly • Plebeians • Had limited power BUT they elected the consuls • Consuls had to gain support of the plebeian class
SPQR • SenatusPopulusQueRomanus • Chiseled on public buildings, armor, coins, park benches • Anything that belonged to the state • “The Senate and the People of Rome” • Kings were no longer in charge
The Forum • Main marketplace and business center • Banking, trading, shopping, and marketing • Also a place for public speaking • Great orators • Argued persuasively • Festivals and religious ceremonies • Go to a temple to leave a gift for one of their gods
Roman Baths • At least once a day • Included: • Hot and cold pools • Slaves to wait on you • Steam rooms • Saunas • Exercise rooms • Hair salons • Reading rooms • Think of is as a large mall with bathing pools • 900 public baths in Rome • Part of daily life • Kids couldn’t use them • There was an admission charge • Slaves couldn’t use them • But people brought their slaves as attendants
Roman Legion • Legion • 5000 men • Each had a banner, leader, number and nickname • Uniform • Rectangular shield • Short sword • Dagger • Metal jacket • Helmet • Belt • Kilt • Shirt • Hobnailed sandals • Service • Legionary served for 25 years • Retirement • Given land and a pension • Gave retired military a place to call home in the country that they would defend • Placed loyal military men all over the provinces
Roman Roads • “All roads lead to Rome” • It was true! • Rome was the heart of the republic • Each time a new city was conquered, a road was built from that city back to Rome • Milestones told how far it was to Rome
Hannibal & Carthage • Carthage- ancient city-state in North Africa- 300 miles from Rome • First Punic War • Carthage controlled 3 islands off Italy’s coast • Rome wanted Carthage to join its republic • Fought for 20 years • Neither won • Rome took Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica • Hannibal • 9-year-old son of the general at the First Punic War- vowed to make Rome pay • Clever general • Snakes plan • Wanted to conquer all of Spain Not this creepy one… But this one
Second Punic War • Second Punic War • Spanish city asked for help but Rome attacked Carthage instead of Hannibal • Hannibal planned to march 90,000 foot soldiers, 12,000 calvary, and 37 elephants from Spain • Route was more rugged than he expected • Carthage agreed to peace terms • Carthage changed their mind and Rome defeated Carthage but didn’t catch Hannibal • Second set of peace terms: • Carthage leave Spain, Gaul and Italy • Reduce their navy to 10 warships • Pay 10,000 talents in war damages in 50 annual payments over 50 years • Rome finally caught up with Hannibal but he swallowed poison rather than surrender (he was 64)
Julius Caesar • Month of July named after him • People trusted him and believed he could solve Rome’s problems • Problems of the Republic • Crime • Taxes • Hunger • Unemployment • Slave labor dependency • Spoke openly about problems and solutions • Leaders in the Senate were afraid Caesar would take power and rule as a king • Entered Rome in 49 BCE with Roman Legion to take over the government • Poor people were glad; Senate was furious
Julius Caesar • Caesar defeated Pompey and the Senate’s forces and became the master of Rome • Improvements • Relieved debt • Enlarged the Senate • Built the Forum Iulium • Revised the calendar • Assassinated by a group of Senators led by Cassius and Brutus on the Ides of March (15) 44 BCE • Assassination sparked civil wars that ended the Republic and Caesar’s great nephew, Octavian, became the first emperor of Rome