The Roman Republic

1. The Roman Republic Journey across Time Chapter 8 section II

2. What were the two main social classes of Rome? • Patricians were the wealthy landowning upper class. These people were considered “nobles” and made up the ruling class. • Most of the population would be considered plebeians, or plebs. These people worked as artisans shop keepers and farmers, they were considered the lower class. • Both groups were Roman citizens; they had the right to vote and the responsibility to pay taxes and serve in the army. • Marriage between the two classes was forbidden at first- eventually it was allowed. • Plebeians could not hold public office. Where does the word republic come from? From the Latin: Thing of the people Res- means entity, concern or thing Publicus- means of the people or public

3. How did Rome’s government work? Rome’s government was a tripartite or three part government. • One group ran the government, the top government officials were two patricians they were choses every year. They had the title of consul. Consuls were able to shoot down the decisions of the other; called a veto meaning= I forbid. • Another group made laws. The Senate was the main legislative body. A select group of 300 patricians served for life. Another legislative body was the Assembly of the Centuries. It elected consuls and praetors, and passed laws. It was also under control of patricians. • A third group acted as judges. They were called praetors and they interpreted the law and acted as judges in court. What major islands did Rome conquer? Rome conquered the major islands of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica. What geographic feature do you think kept Rome from expanding farther north?The geographic features that kept Rome form expanding farther north were natural barriers of the Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges.

4. How did the Plebeians gain power? • In 494 BCE, many plebeians went on strike. They refused to serve in the army and left the city to set up a republic of their own. • Finally in 471 BCE, 13 years later, the plebeians were allowed to set up the Council of Plebs. This assembly elected tribunes who brought their concerns to the government. They also won the right to veto government decisions. • In 455 BCE patricians and plebeians were allowed to marry and by the 300’s BCE the plebs were allowed to become consuls. Why do you think the military leaders and their troops were dressed decoratively before the triumph?To show off their power and might! How did the eating habits of the newly rich Romans change after Rome became wealthy and powerful? Romans ate simple meals of porridge, dried vegetables and greens. After Rome’s profitable conquests, wealthy romans ate costly feasts of seafood and wine while reclining on couches.

5. Who was Cincinnatus? • He was a loyal and devoted citizen farmer. During a crisis, he was called upon to become dictator of Rome and as soon as the crisis was averted, he returned to his farm. • Cincinnatus was an inspiration to George Washington and many leaders of Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Why was the story of Cincinnatus important to Romans? The story of Cincinnatus embodies the ideal of civic duty. He is the example of the perfect citizen soldier, willing to suspend his life for his country. He does not want power for himself, he only assumes the role of dictator to help his country in its time of need. It is a selfless act of bravery and good citizenship.

6. What are the Twelve Tables? • The Twelve Tables were laws written on tablets that described the rights of each person in the Roman Republic. The laws were the first set of rules to govern Rome. Writing the laws down and putting them on public display ensured that everyone knew the laws and that judges did not apply the laws differently to different people. • The laws on the Twelve Tables were the first step toward equal rights for citizen of all classes in ancient Rome. They were also a first step toward the idea of the rule of law that we still uphold today.

7. How did Rome expand throughout the entire Mediterranean region? • After Rome developed its government, and completed their conquest of Italy, they were faced with a powerful rival in the Mediterranean area, an empire named Carthage located on the coast of north Africa. • Carthage was founded around 800 BCE by the Phoenicians. Carthage ruled a great trading empire including parts of Europe and northern Africa. It was the largest and richest city in the western Mediterranean.

8. The Punic Wars What was the First Punic War? What was the Second Punic War? • Both Carthage and Rome wanted to control the island of Sicily. In 264 BCE they went to war. • This war caused the Romans to create a navy to fight the Carthaginians. • Rome won in 241 BCE and Carthage was forced to leave Sicily and pay a huge fine to the Romans. • Carthage expanded into southern Spain after the loss of Sicily and Rome was not happy. They helped the Spaniards rebel against Carthage. • The Carthaginians were angry and they sent Hannibal to attack Rome in 218 BCE, staring the second Punic War. • The Romans suffered a loss at the Battle of Cannae in southern Italy even though they outnumbered the Carthaginians. • In 202 BCE, the romans raised another army led by Scipio and invaded Carthage. Hannibal had to leave Italy and return to Carthage to save his city. • At the Battle of Zama, the Roman’s defeated the Carthaginians. Carthage then gave up Spain their navy and to Rome.

9. How did Rome punish Carthage at the end of the Third Punic War?? • After the war, Carthage was no longer a military power although it remained a trading center. In 146 BCE, Rome finally destroyed its rival in the Third Punic War. • Roman soldiers burned Carthage and enslaved 50,000 men, women and children. • The romans spread salt on the earth around Carthage so that no crops would grow. • Carthage became a Roman province.