The Roman Republic

1. The Roman Republic 509 BCE – 133 BCE

2. The Early Republic • 509 BCE – overthrow Etruscan king; 1st Roman rulers • Never want to be ruled by a king again • Create a REPUBLIC • Rulers chosen by the people • Latin word meaning “thing of the people” • Not necessarily a democracy

3. Classes in Roman Society

4. Classes in Roman Society

5. Classes in Roman Society

6. Structure of Roman Government Senate Consuls Chosen by Senate • 300 members • All Patricians • Serve for life • Make laws • Judge laws • 2 Patricians chosen by Senate • Day to day business of Gov’t • Only serve 1 term (term limits) Ideal Example: Cincinnatus EMERGENCY DICTATOR

7. Structure of Roman Government Chosen by Plebeians Tribunes Could veto laws Senate Consuls Chosen by Senate • 300 members • All Patricians • Serve for life • Make laws • Judge laws • 2 Patricians chosen by Senate • Day to day business of Gov’t • Only serve 1 term (term limits) EMERGENCY DICTATOR

8. The Changing Republic • Plebeians begin to protest for more say in government • 450 BCE – convince Senate to write down laws & post them in public place • LAWS OF THE TWELVE TABLES • Somewhat harsh • Allows plebeians to appeal rules of judges • Plebeians eventually get right to elect Tribunes • Tribunes get the right to veto laws that hurt plebeians • Later, even get right to be Consuls, Senators

9. Lasting Legacies • Common people get rights & safeguards • Peaceful acquisition of rights • Checks & on people in power • Veto • Republican form of gov’t • Roman Republic’s legacy especially important to United States

10. Expansion in Italy • Early growth • Early overthrown of Etruscan rulers • Began to go after neighboring tribes • By 270 BCE, occupied Italy from Rubicon River in north to “tip of boot” in southern Italy • The Roman Army

11. Treatment of Conquered Lands • Generally treated conquered people with justice • Conquered people had to: • acknowledge Roman leadership • pay taxes • supply soldiers to Roman army • Rome let them • keep local customs, local money, & local gov’t • Some (very few) get full citizenship • Some (more) get partial citizenship: • allowed to marry Roman citizens, carry on trade in Rome • Conquered people become very loyal to Rome, even in rough times

12. How to Protect Newly Conquered Lands • Posted soldiers around empire • Network on all-weather roads (quick movement of army, trade) • People began to adopt Latin language and Roman culture

13. Rivalry with Carthage • Originally a Phoenician colony • Acts independently • City in northern Africa • (present day Tunisia) • Extends empire around coasts of western Med. • Roman expansion throughout Italy increases contact with Carthaginian empire

14. Punic Wars (264-146 BCE)1st Punic War In Latin, Phoenician = Punicus • Fairly short • Rome defeats Carthage • Takes control of Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica • Carthage infuriated by losses • Going to want revenge

15. Punic Wars (264-146 BCE)2nd Punic War • Hannibal (Carthaginian) • Brilliant military leader • Wants revenge for loss in 1st Punic War • Decides to attack from north • Takes army into Spain, over mountains • Losses half of army, all but one war elephant • Surprises Roman Army • Does very well, many successful battles

16. Punic Wars (264-146 BCE)2nd Punic War (cont.) • Rome counter-attacks • Attacks city of Carthage • Hannibal has to take army back to Carthage • Battle of Zama – Rome Wins • Carthage loses all land except land around city in North Africa • Must pay huge tribute

17. Punic Wars (264-146 BCE)Aftermath • Carthage recovers quickly • Leadership of Hannibal • Cato (famous Roman citizen) says • “Carthage must be destroyed” • Rome attacks again • Burns city to ground • Plows salt into earth • People killed or made slaves • Rome gets a province in Northern Africa

18. Collapse of the Republic • Video: Roman Empire and Civilization • Part 2  From Republic to Empire (20 min.) • Complete worksheet as you go • What kinds of problems weakened the Republic and made it possible for individuals to seize power?