The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic

Vocabulary Words • Republic • Patrician • Plebeian • Tribune • Consul • Senate • Dictator • Legion • Punic Wars • Hannibal

Founding of Rome • Built along the Tiber river due to its strategic location and fertile soil • First settled around 1000 BCE, inhabited by three different groups • The Latins • The Greeks • The Etrucscans

The Latins built the original settlement at Rome, considered to be the first Romans • Greeks established colonies to the south, bringing all of Italy into closer contact with the Greek civilization • The Etruscans were native to northern Italy, skilled metalworkers and engineers • Strongly influenced Roman civilization, had a system of writing and their alphabet was adopted by the Romans, also influenced architecture, especially the arch

The Early Republic • Originally ruled by kings, the last of which Tarquin the Proud was a harsh tyrant • Tarquin was driven from power in 509 BCE and the Romans vow they will never again be ruled by a king • They establish a republic, which means “public affairs” • Power rests with the citizens, who have the right to vote for their leaders • Only free-born male citizens could vote

Patricians and Plebians • Struggled for power • Patricians- wealthy land owners, held most of the power • Plebeians– common farmers, make up the majorityof the population • Patricians felt they had the authority to make laws for Rome • Plebeians could vote but not hold important government positions • Assembled tribunes, which protectedtheir rights from unfair acts of the Patricians

Twelve Tables • Created written laws on twelve tables or tablets which hung in the Forum • Basis for later Roman law • Protected Plebeians from the Patricians interpreting the unwritten law to suit themselves

Government Under the Republic • Made up of two officials, called consuls • Could command the army and direct the government • One year term • Couldn’t be re-elected for 10 years • One consul could overrule, or veto, the others decision

Government Under the Republic • Senate– 300 members chosen from the upper class • Great influence over foreign and domestic policy • Democratic assemblies elect tribunesand make laws for common people • Tribunes protected the rights of Plebeians from unfair acts of the Patrician officials • Dictator – leader who had absolute power • Make laws • Command the army • Six month term • Chosen by the consuls and then elected by the Senate

Roman Army • All land owning citizens were required to serve in the army • Ten year service commitment for those seeking public office • Organized into large military units called legions • Legions – 5000 heavily armed foot soldiers • Supported by cavalry • Further organized into groups of 80 men called a century • Military organization and fighting skill were key factors in Rome’s rise to greatness

Rome Spreads Its Power • Sought to expand the empire through trade and conquest • Eventually they defeat the Etruscans to the north and the Greek city-states to the south • Treatment of Conquered Territories • Latins were given full citizenship • Others were given full rights except the right to vote • All others considered allies, Rome did not interfere with its allies as long as they supplied troops for the Roman army and did not make treaties of friendship with any other state • This lenient policy helped Rome succeed in building a long-lasting empire

Commercial Network • Established a large trading network • Access to the Mediterranean provides many trade routes • Other large and powerful cities interfered with Roman access to the Mediterranean • Carthage – located on the North African coast • In direct opposition with Rome

Punic Wars • 264 BCE Rome and Carthage go to war • Known as the Punic Wars • Lasted between 264 BCE and 146 BCE

Punic Wars • Fought three wars • The first for control of Sicily and the western Mediterranean, lasted 23 years (264 BCE - 241 BCE) • The second began in 218 BCE started by Hannibalwho wanted revenge for the earlier Carthaginian, eventually won by Rome due to Scipio’s efforts • The third (149 BCE – 146 BCE) Rome laid siege to Carthage, city eventually set afire and it’s 50,000 inhabitants were sold into slavery, its territory was made a Roman province

Rome Triumphs • Victory in the Punic Wars gave Rome dominance over the western Mediterranean • Romans then went on to conquer the eastern half • Empire stretched from Anatolia to Spain • Brought on its own set of difficulties

The Roman Republic