160 likes | 286 Views
The Roman Republic. Before the Romans…. Various civilizations across the peninsula Latins in 800 BCE Legend: Romulus & Remus and the founding of Rome The most influential on Romans (later) were the Etruscans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA1D9wd29jI. Etruscan Writing.
E N D
Before the Romans… • Various civilizations across the peninsula • Latins in 800 BCE • Legend: Romulus & Remus and the founding of Rome • The most influential on Romans (later) were the Etruscans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA1D9wd29jI
Romans Establish a Republic • Res Republica~ Latin for “that which belongs to the people” • One of ancient Rome’s greatest contributions to our modern world • Lasts for nearly 500 years beginning in 509 BCE
Basic Terms • Patrician: landowning upper class (aristocrats) • Plebian: farmers, merchants, artisans, traders • Most of population • Assembly: group of persons gathered for a specific, common reason
The Senate • In the early Republic, Senate controlled by and made up of patricians only • Duties & Privileges • served for life • elected officials • passed laws • determined foreign policy • acted as a court
Consuls • Each year, two were nominated by the Senate from the Patrician class • Checks put on their power • could serve only one term • had to approve one another’s decisions • In war, the Senate chose a dictator • granted absolute power for 6 months
Plebians Fight for their Rights • Tribunes – elected officials of the Plebians • protected interests of the Plebians • could veto laws seen as harmful to them • Called for Rome’s laws to be written and published • Twelve Tablets • Over time, chosen as Consuls and allowed into the Senate
Roman Republic Grows • By 270 BCE, controlled most of Italian Peninsula • Use citizen-soldiers in groups called Legions • Treated defeated enemies with justice • Italy begins to unite under Roman rule
Policy of Imperialism • Control over foreign lands and people • Punic Wars ~ 264-146 BCE • Fought (and defeated) Carthage 3 times • Moved into Eastern Mediterranean • Called the Mediterranean Mare Nostrum (“Our Sea”)
Impacts of Imperialism at Home • Rome becomes very rich • widespread use of slave labor on Latifundias • huge estates with large farm tracts • hurt small farmers • jobless/landless move into cities • greed and self interest replaced traditional Roman values
Roman Republic Declines • series of civil wars • At issue – Who should hold power? • established Legions had more loyalty to commanders • rival commanders marched their armies into Rome to advance their own ambitions