The Roman Republic

1. The Roman Republic Chapter 8 section 2

2. Learning Objectives • Rome’s republic was shaped by the struggle between wealthy landowners and regular citizens. • Rome defeated the Carthaginians and took control of the Mediterranean area.

3. Rome’s Government • Patricians and plebeians were the two classes of people in Rome. • Top government officials were called consuls. Another important group of officials were the praetors. The Senate was the most important lawmaking body. Another important legislative body was the Assembly of Centuries.

4. Rome’s Government (cont.) • Plebeians challenged the class system by going on strike. The Romans then allowed the plebeians to set up their own legislative group called the Council of the Plebs.

5. Rome’s Government (cont.) • Today, a dictator is an oppressive ruler. In the Roman Republic, a dictator was a person who served the people and ruled temporarily during emergencies. • Cincinnatus, the best-known early Roman dictator, led an army of men to defeat a powerful enemy.

6. Rome’s Government (cont.) • The Twelve Tables were Rome’s first code of laws. They were the basis of all future Roman laws. The Law of Nations were created to address issues of conquered peoples. • The rule of law is the idea that laws should apply to everyone equally.

7. Discussion Question • How are modern dictators different from the Roman dictators? • Roman dictators were appointed by the Senate in times of great danger. When the danger was over, the dictators gave up their power. Modern dictators often seize power, frequently using military force. They do not often give up their power voluntarily, instead ruling until they are removed from office by force.

8. Rome Expands • Carthage, a state on the coast of North Africa, was a powerful enemy of Rome. • The First Punic War began as a dispute between Rome and Carthage over the island of Sicily. The war continued for 20 years before Rome won.

9. Rome Expands (cont.) • The Second Punic War began after Carthage expanded into Spain. Rome helped the people of Spain rebel. • Hannibal was a great Carthaginian general who fought in the Second Punic War. (v)

10. Rome Expands (cont.) • At the Battle of Cannae, Hannibal’s forces overpowered the Romans. • The Roman general Scipio led his forces to defeat the Carthaginians at the Battle of Zama.

11. Rome Expands (cont.) • Rome destroyed Carthage in the Third Punic War. • Rome also took all of Greece and Macedonia and parts of Africa during the Punic Wars.

12. Discussion Question • Why did Rome create a navy? • Carthage was a great sea power. To beat the Carthaginians, the Romans had to build a great naval fleet.

13. Learning Objectives • Rome’s republic was shaped by the struggle between wealthy landowners and regular citizens. • Rome defeated the Carthaginians and took control of the Mediterranean area.

14. Did you know? • After the Second Punic War, Hannibal fled to lands of foreign kings to evade the Romans. The Romans twice demanded Hannibal be turned over to them. Hannibal finally committed suicide rather than surrender to the Romans.