Objectives

1. Objectives • Students will be able to • define a republic. • understand how the broad definition of a republic applies to different types of governments.

2. Republic A republic is a form of government where the people vote for representatives who are then responsible for making laws and running the government.

3. Origin of the Term • The term comes from the Latin words res publica, which mean “matters of the state.” • Republican governments represent a wide range of governments around the world

4. Wide Range of GovernmentsRepublics • In a democracythe people retain most of the control of the government. • Oligarchy is a government controlled by a select few. • Dictatorship is when one person controls most parts of the government.

5. Roman Republic Case Study • The Roman Republic started with the overthrow of the monarchy circa 500 BCE. • It had a complicated constitution which included concepts like separation of powers & checks and balances.

6. Roman RepublicCase Study • Rome had a legislature called the Senate. • The senate was controlled by a select wealthy class called patricians. • The lower classes were called the plebeians. • The Senate would elect 2 leaders, called consuls. • They would serve for one year.

7. Roman RepublicEarly Period • The Roman Republic was controlled by a select few ancient families from the monarchy period • These families belong to a group called the patricians • The patricians controlled Rome through the Senate (A legislative body that passed laws for the Republic)

8. Roman RepublicLate Period (133- 81 BCE) • In this period Rome endured serious political fighting between two factions. Plebeians • Lesser families of Rome (plebeians) would establish some control over Roman policies. (Gracchi Brothers) • The fighting would end when Cornelius Sulla established himself as dictator to re-establish order. Sulla Roman Re- enactors

9. Legacy of Sulla • Sulla, as promised, eventually resigned his dictatorship and served as a Consul of Rome for one year before retiring. • Sulla’s brief dictatorship would have dire consequences for the history of the Republic. • It set a precedent for military commanders to enter Rome with their army to establish control over Rome. Roman coin with Sulla

10. Julius Caesar’s Rise & Fall62- 44 BCE • Julius Caesar (successful military general) forms an alliance with Crassus & Pompey (First Triumvirate) to manipulate the political system in Rome. • Julius Caesar would become sole dictator in 49 BCE. • Crassus died in Battle fighting the Parthian Empire. • Pompey was defeated by Caesar & later assassinated in Egypt. Coin of Julius Caesar Assassination of Caesar • 44 BCE Julius Caesar was assassinated by political rivals. • As a result, a civil war would last until 29 BCE.

11. Fall of the Republic44- 27 BCE Young Octavian • To re-establish order a Second Triumvirate (Joint rule) was established by Octavian (adopted son of Julius Caesar), Marc Anthony, & Lepidus • Lepidus would retire soon after • Marc Anthony would eventually lose to Octavian at the Battle of Actium • 27 BCE Octavian was granted the name “Augustus” & given permanent consular powers. • The Republic came to an end…Augustus Caesar became emperor Marc Anthony & Cleopatra • Note: The Name Caesar would eventually come to mean emperor (e.g. Russian monarchs- Czar)

12. Checking Understanding • How is a republic different from a monarchy? • What best describes the Roman Republic: Democracy, Oligarchy, or Dictatorship? Explain your answer. • We will study democracy next. For homework, brainstorm what you know about democracy.