1 Ch. 7: The Roman World Sec. 1: Founding the Roman Republic

2 The Land: Its Geography & Importance Italy is sheltered by the Alps in the north Mtns. running lengthwise of Italy are called the Apennine Mtns., which are low, allowing trade

3 People & enemy armies found pathways through the Alps Plus, Italy’s long coastline allowed attack from the sea

4 Rome & the Beginning of an Empire By the mid-700s B.C. the Latins had settled in villages along the Tiber R. & it was these villages that united to form Rome In the 600s B.C. Rome was ruled by the Etruscans from N.Italy

5 Romans adopted Etruscan written language The Etruscans paved roads, drained marshes, & constructed sewers & under the Etruscans, Rome grew into a large prosperous city Also, Greek city-states in S. Italy strongly influenced Roman culture

6 Rome was built about 15 miles inland from the Tiber R., protecting the city from invasion by sea It was located where the Tiber R. was easy to cross & at the crossroads of many trade routes

7 The Early Roman Republic 509 B.C. wealthy Romans overthrew the Etruscan king They established a republic — a form of gov’t in which voters elect officials to run the state

8 3 groups governed the republic: the Senate, the magistrates, & popular assemblies (the Senate was the most powerful) In emergencies the Senate could name a dictator, or absolute ruler, who had complete command of the army & courts for 6 months

9 The magistrates included consuls, praetors, & censors 2 men were elected to one-year terms as consuls, or chief executives They ran the gov’t & commanded the army

10 Each consul could veto, or refuse to approve, the acts of the other This division was based on the principle of checks & balances, which prevents any part of the gov’t from becoming too powerful (a principle later adopted by the U.S.

11 Romans elected officials called praetors to help the consuls; they commanded armies & oversaw the legal system Censors registered citizens according to their wealth, appointed senators, & supervised moral conduct

12 Several assemblies of citizens voted on laws & elected officials These popular assemblies elected 10 officials called tribunes, who could refuse to approve actions by the Senate or other officials

13 The Conflict of the Orders Patricians were powerful landowners who inherited power to control the gov’t & society Plebeians (mainly farmers & workers) made up most of the pop.

14 Plebeians could vote but not hold office Judges were always patricians Plebeians increased their power through demands & strikes

15 They gained the right to join the army, hold office, form their own assembly & elect tribunes Plebeians forced the gov’t to write down the laws Later, a plebeian always held one of the consul positions Some plebeians became so wealthy & powerful that they joined the nobility

16 The Republic Grows For 200 yrs. The Roman army fought to extend the empire Every adult male citizen who owned land had to serve in the legion Discipline was strict & morale was high

17 The Romans made people in nearby cities full citizens People in more distant cities became partial citizens, who could own property but could not vote People in distant areas became allies, who remained independent but supplied soldiers

18 Conquered peoples also provided land for Roman farmers These policies helped the Romans control conquered areas & spread the Roman culture & language