1. The Roman Republic 1

2. VOCABULARY REPUBLIC REPUBLIC A form of government in which elected representatives make the laws A form of government in which elected representatives make the laws PATRICIANS PATRICIANS The wealthy and powerful upper class of Roman citizens; determined by birth The wealthy and powerful upper class of Roman citizens; determined by birth PLEBEIANS 90% of the citizens PLEBEIANS 90% of the citizens The common citizens of Rome: farmers, tradesmen, small businessmen, The common citizens of Rome: farmers, tradesmen, small businessmen, 2

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4. IMPERIUM IMPERIUM The supreme authority in the Republic The supreme authority in the Republic CONSUL CONSUL The official and law maker chosen by the patricians The official and law maker chosen by the patricians VETO VETO The power to stop a government act The power to stop a government act TRIBUNES TRIBUNES Roman officials elected by the Plebeians Roman officials elected by the Plebeians 4

5. Rome was located at the border of Etruria and Latium about 15 miles up the TIBER river Rome was located at the border of Etruria and Latium about 15 miles up the TIBER river After the overthrow of Tarquin the Proud, the Romans declared their independence from the Etruscans and set up a new form of government called a republic. After the overthrow of Tarquin the Proud, the Romans declared their independence from the Etruscans and set up a new form of government called a republic. 5

6. Roman society was divided into two groups: citizens and slaves. Adult male citizens had the right to vote and to own property. Roman society was divided into two groups: citizens and slaves. Adult male citizens had the right to vote and to own property. The citizens were further divided into two groups: The citizens were further divided into two groups: PATRICIANS PATRICIANS PLEBEIANS PLEBEIANS Women were citizens BUT could not vote or take part in the government although they were protected by Roman laws. Women were citizens BUT could not vote or take part in the government although they were protected by Roman laws. 6

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8. SLAVES Most slaves in ancient Rome were acquired through warfare, with Roman armies bringing captives back as part of their reward. Most slaves in ancient Rome were acquired through warfare, with Roman armies bringing captives back as part of their reward. Turning defeated soldiers into slaves brought soldiers income, and could also serve as an alternative to imprisoning or killing them. Turning defeated soldiers into slaves brought soldiers income, and could also serve as an alternative to imprisoning or killing them. 8

9. In addition, people could sell their children into slavery. In addition, people could sell their children into slavery. Children abandoned at birth were also usually collected and made slaves. Children abandoned at birth were also usually collected and made slaves. 9

10. Patricians were the only citizens allowed to vote for the government members. Patricians were the only citizens allowed to vote for the government members. The government had a SENATE and two ASSEMBLIES The government had a SENATE and two ASSEMBLIES The senators were patricians who served for life and passed all the laws, agreed to all treaties and approved all appointments for governement jobs. The senators were patricians who served for life and passed all the laws, agreed to all treaties and approved all appointments for governement jobs. 10

11. Roman society was also divided into two groups: citizen and slave. Adult male citizens had the right to vote and to own property. Roman society was also divided into two groups: citizen and slave. Adult male citizens had the right to vote and to own property. Women citizens could not vote or take part in the government although they were protected by Roman laws. Women citizens could not vote or take part in the government although they were protected by Roman laws. Slaves which were war captives, were owned by citizens and had no rights. Slaves which were war captives, were owned by citizens and had no rights. 11

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15. The Assembly of Centuries directed all military matters and was also made up of just the patricians The Assembly of Centuries directed all military matters and was also made up of just the patricians The Assembly of Tribes was made up mostly of plebeians who represented the 35 tribes into which all citizens were divided. The Assembly of Tribes was made up mostly of plebeians who represented the 35 tribes into which all citizens were divided. In reality this was also controlled by the patricians In reality this was also controlled by the patricians 15

16. The supreme power in the Republic was in the hands of the IMPERIUM The supreme power in the Republic was in the hands of the IMPERIUM The Imperium was made up of two CONSULS who were chosen by the patricians and ruled for a year. The Imperium was made up of two CONSULS who were chosen by the patricians and ruled for a year. The consuls helped to make and carry out the laws and controlled the army. The consuls helped to make and carry out the laws and controlled the army. Each consul had the power to stop or VETO the acts of the other, so they had to agree with each other before they could act. Each consul had the power to stop or VETO the acts of the other, so they had to agree with each other before they could act. VETO means “ I forbid” in Latin. VETO means “ I forbid” in Latin. 16

17. The legal system was lead by judges or PRAETORS who interpreted the laws made by the government The legal system was lead by judges or PRAETORS who interpreted the laws made by the government CENSORS counted the people in Rome and determined how much in taxes a person would pay based on their wealth. CENSORS counted the people in Rome and determined how much in taxes a person would pay based on their wealth. 17

18. In the early years of the Republic there were many laws that controlled the lives of the plebeians. They could not In the early years of the Republic there were many laws that controlled the lives of the plebeians. They could not marry patricians marry patricians conduct religious ceremonies conduct religious ceremonies hold important government positions hold important government positions However the plebeians did make up most of the army However the plebeians did make up most of the army 18

19. When a poor plebeian had to borrow money from the rich to survive, he and his family were forced into "debt bondage", which means he became a servant of the man to whom he owed the money. When a poor plebeian had to borrow money from the rich to survive, he and his family were forced into "debt bondage", which means he became a servant of the man to whom he owed the money. He was like a slave, and, without getting paid, he could never get the money he needed to buy his freedom. He was like a slave, and, without getting paid, he could never get the money he needed to buy his freedom. 19

20. In the 5 th century BCE the plebeians refused to fight for Rome until they were given more political power; In the 5 th century BCE the plebeians refused to fight for Rome until they were given more political power; The Assembly of Tribes was allowed to elect 10 TRIBUNES who could override any act of the Senate or officials by calling out VETO The Assembly of Tribes was allowed to elect 10 TRIBUNES who could override any act of the Senate or officials by calling out VETO 20

21. In 450 BCE the Romans adopted a set of laws called the TWELVE TABLES. In 450 BCE the Romans adopted a set of laws called the TWELVE TABLES. These laws were carved in bronze and put in the Forum or religious and government centre of Rome These laws were carved in bronze and put in the Forum or religious and government centre of Rome They covered nearly every aspect of life including wills, family law, property rights and public behaviour of citizens. They covered nearly every aspect of life including wills, family law, property rights and public behaviour of citizens. 21

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23. By 339 BCE, plebeians had won the right to marry patricians and hold the office of consul. By 339 BCE, plebeians had won the right to marry patricians and hold the office of consul. They could also sit in the senate and the Assembly of the Tribes could pass laws without Senate approval. They could also sit in the senate and the Assembly of the Tribes could pass laws without Senate approval. However the plebeians soon became as exclusive a group as the patricians and would not allow new citizens to join them. However the plebeians soon became as exclusive a group as the patricians and would not allow new citizens to join them. 23

24. THE PUNIC WARS These were a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage between 264 and 146 BCE. These were a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage between 264 and 146 BCE. At the beginning Carthage controlled most the trading centres in the Mediterranean. At the beginning Carthage controlled most the trading centres in the Mediterranean. After 100 years of war, Rome finally defeated Carthage and completely destroyed the city and sold all of its citizens into slavery. After 100 years of war, Rome finally defeated Carthage and completely destroyed the city and sold all of its citizens into slavery. They even covered the fields with salt so that nothing would grow there. They even covered the fields with salt so that nothing would grow there. 24

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26. HANNIBAL& the Second Punic War The most famous Carthiginian general was HANNNIBAL, who travelled through Spain and across the Alps with his war elephants to reach northern Italy. The most famous Carthiginian general was HANNNIBAL, who travelled through Spain and across the Alps with his war elephants to reach northern Italy. For 15 years his arny fought numerous battles in Italy but was never able to defeat Rome. For 15 years his arny fought numerous battles in Italy but was never able to defeat Rome. He finally had to return to Carthage to protect it from Roman attack. He finally had to return to Carthage to protect it from Roman attack. 26

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28. Hannibal survived the Battle of Zama but had to run away. Hannibal survived the Battle of Zama but had to run away. Finally in 183 B.C. Romans found him in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) and forced him to surrender. Finally in 183 B.C. Romans found him in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) and forced him to surrender. As they guarded him, he secretly took poison and ended his life As they guarded him, he secretly took poison and ended his life 28

29. The decline of the Republic The hundred years of war widened the gap between the rich and poor and weakened the republic. The hundred years of war widened the gap between the rich and poor and weakened the republic. The small farmers were most affected. The small farmers were most affected. Wealthy citizens bought up huge amounts of land and threw out the small farmers and bought tens of thousands of slaves to work on their estates instead. Wealthy citizens bought up huge amounts of land and threw out the small farmers and bought tens of thousands of slaves to work on their estates instead. 29

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31. The displaced farmers ended up in Rome seeking work but there were very few jobs for them because most of the work there was also done by slaves. The displaced farmers ended up in Rome seeking work but there were very few jobs for them because most of the work there was also done by slaves. Corruption grew as the rich bought the votes of the government officials who made laws that favoured them. Corruption grew as the rich bought the votes of the government officials who made laws that favoured them. 31

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33. In the rural areas tax collectors were free to get as much money as they could from the people. In the rural areas tax collectors were free to get as much money as they could from the people. Rome would tell them how much they had to turn in and they could keep any extra that they collected. Rome would tell them how much they had to turn in and they could keep any extra that they collected. 33

34. In order to try and keep the poor people from becoming violent the politicians offered them BREAD AND CIRCUSES In order to try and keep the poor people from becoming violent the politicians offered them BREAD AND CIRCUSES They were given free food and entertainment in the form of combats to the death between: They were given free food and entertainment in the form of combats to the death between: animals such as bears, lions and bulls, animals such as bears, lions and bulls, men and animals men and animals and GLADIATORS and GLADIATORS 34

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36. Two bothers called Tiberius and Gaius GRACCHUS tried to reform the government by giving land back to the poor. Two bothers called Tiberius and Gaius GRACCHUS tried to reform the government by giving land back to the poor. Tiberius was put to death by the Senate and Gaius committed suicide. Tiberius was put to death by the Senate and Gaius committed suicide. This was followed by a series of generals who made themselves dictators after becoming heroes after winning a great battle. This was followed by a series of generals who made themselves dictators after becoming heroes after winning a great battle. 36

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38. The last of these generals was SULLA. The last of these generals was SULLA. He died in 78 BCE and was replaced by JULIUS CAESAR. He died in 78 BCE and was replaced by JULIUS CAESAR. 38