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The Roman Republic and Empire. Chapter 1 Section 2. Focus Questions. 1. How did the government of Rome develop into an empire? 2. What modern democratic principles originate from ancient Rome?. Romans.
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The Roman Republic and Empire Chapter 1 Section 2
Focus Questions • 1. How did the government of Rome develop into an empire? • 2. What modern democratic principles originate from ancient Rome?
Romans • Romans established a government called a republic (a government in which supreme power belongs to the citizens through their right to vote) • Romans thought a republic (indirect democracy) would keep any individual from gaining too much power • The 300 members of the republic’s senate were all patricians—the landholding upper class (nobles) • Senators, who served for life, made the Roman laws
Roman Government Structure • Each year, the senators elected two consuls from among the patricians • The consuls supervised the business of government and commanded Rome’s armies • In the event of war, the senate might choose a dictator to temporarily take complete control over the government • The law granted each Roman the power to rule for six months • A dictator is a person who rules with total authority and often in a cruel and brutal manner
Roman Government Structure • The common people, or plebians, influenced government to have the laws written down in the Twelve Tables • They also gained the right to elect their own officials, called tribunes • The tribunes could veto (preventing a bill passed by a legislature from becoming a law) laws passed by the senate that were harmful to the plebians
Expansion of Roman Political System • As Rome’s political system evolved, its armies expanded Roman power into the eastern Mediterranean region • On the north coast of Africa, the Romans also destroyed the city-state of Carthage and established themselves as masters of the Western Mediterranean • Expansion, however, created problems • At issue was who should hold power—the senate or popular political leaders looking to enact reforms • Soon Rome was plunged into a civil war over this power struggle
Julius Caesar • Military commander who emerged from the civil chaos and seized control • Although Caesar kept the senate and other features of the republic, he forced the senate to make him dictator • Jealous and fearful of his power, Caesar’s enemies stabbed him to death • Caesar’s opponents believed he wanted to make himself king • Caesar’s grand-nephew Octavian became the new ruler • The senate gave Octavian the title Augustus Caesar, and he became the first emperor
Pax Romana • During the time known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace), the Roman empire brought peace, order, unity, and prosperity to the lands it ruled • Trade flowed freely to and from distant lands in Africa and Asia • Merchants carried ivory, gold, spices, silk, and other commodities • People spread/shared ideas as they traveled • Ideas about democracy spread to places the Romans traveled
Legal Principles From Roman Times • Accused presumed innocent until proven guilty • Accused had right to face the accuser • Accused could offer a defense to the charges • Guilt had to be established “clearer than daylight” through evidence • Judges interpreted the laws and were expected to make fair decisions
Legacy of Rome • Greatest legacy of Rome was the establishment of justice through the law • (A legacy is something that is left behind to future generations) • In the 400s, the emperor Justinian, in what was now the eastern Byzantine empire, reformed the Roman law code • The Roman Law Code became known as Justinian’s Code • Later, this code influenced the Christian church and medieval monarchs • The Christian church preserved much of the Roman culture in its teachings
Powerpoint Questions (17 points) • 1. Define republic • 2. Who were the patricians? • 3. What were the responsibilities of the two consuls elected by the senate? • 4. Why would the senate elect a dictator? • 5. Common people were known as ___.
Powerpoint Questions (17 points) • 6. Laws were written on tablets called the _________. • 7. Define veto. • 8. What city-state did the Romans destroy that established Rome as the master of the Western Mediterranean? • 9. Identify the military commander who emerged and seized power amidst the chaos and civil wars • 10. Who became the first emperor of the Roman empire?
Powerpoint Questions (17 points) • 11. What does Pax Romana mean? • 12. What happened during the Pax Romana? • 13. What modern legal principles originate from Roman times? (four points) • 14. What did the Roman emperor Justinian accomplish during his reign?
