Chapter 8 The Rise of Ancient Rome Section 1 The Roman Republic I. Rome’s Geography A. Rome is located in Europe on the Peninsula of Italy (shaped like a boot) B. 3 major islands are part of Italy: Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily C. 2 major mountain chains are located there 1. Alps and Apennine mountains 2. Make travel difficult and land near the mountains is not rich but the plains were fertile

D. First settlers of Rome chose location for three reasons 1. Seven hills around area for protection 2. Tiber river 3. Latium-area of fertile soil E. Location would later make it a good location for trade F. Crops grown would include wheat, cabbage, lettuce, figs, and grapes (Wine would become a top trade item)

II. Early People A. 900 BC-first people settled area and Rome grew slowly as they fought for land B. Early people could have been from Greece or Asia Minor C. 600 BC-Etruscans took power in Rome and most of Italy, ruling with powerful kings D. 509 BC-Romans overthrew Etruscan king, Tarquinius-He would be the last king they would have

III. Roman Republic A. Romans did not want to rely on a king again. They wanted a government that represented all its people B. 264 BC-Gained control of all the Italian peninsula and established a republic form of government.(vote for leaders who ruled in the name of the people.) C. There were two social classes in Rome : Patricians and Plebeians. 1. Patricians –wealthy people 2. Plebeians-ordinary people (farmers, merchants, and traders) 3. women and slaves were not citizens

D. The most powerful group in the government was the Senate 1. Duty- to propose and vote on laws (actions towards other governments and taxes) 2. For a vote to be passed, the Senate must have a quorum- ½ the number of members plus one for a vote to be legal Patrician men made up the Senate E. Government was led by two Consuls who share power for one year.

1. Duty- to enforce the republic’s laws and policies a. acted as army commanders and judges b. could have anyone arrested c. propose laws 2. Elected by the citizens for a 1 year term 3. Senate advised them on all decisions 4. Both men had to agree for government to take action (power of veto) F. A dictator could be appointed for 6 months if the consuls do not agree

A. The growth of Rome led to conflicts between the social classes. B. Plebeians had to form groups to protect their interests. 1. To get a written legal code, they refused to fight in the army 2. The laws were written (Twelve Tables) and applied equally to all and posted in public at the Forum(agora) IV. Patricians Versus Plebeians

V. Punic Wars (Phoenicia) A. Roman Armies invaded land controlled by Carthage in 265 BC B. By 146 BC, after many wars, the Romans had completely destroyed Carthage and its empire C. Most famous Punic War involved Hannibal using elephants to invade Italy D. The more land gained by Rome led to more struggles for power and big decisions such as how to deal with slaves and newly conquered people

VI. Decline of the Republic A. Roman Republic was in trouble by 120 BC 1. Leaders were trying to give land to plebeians and patricians were fighting against it 2. Roman generals were getting armies together and fighting each other for power 3. Consuls did not respect each other’s power 4. Rome dissolved into civil war

B. Julius Caesar (page 234) BC.- Born into a wealthy family 2. Became a Senator and army commander BC.- Became consul of Rome BC-51 BC- conquered Gaul/ captured gold / gained loyalty of his men BC.-Returned to Rome and war broke out between Senate and Caesar (civil war) BC. –won the war and appointed dictator

7. Forced Senate to make some changes-created a calendar, gave land to his soldiers, gave free grain to the poor, increased the number in Senate, granted citizenship to non –Romans BC-Became dictator for life 9. March 15 44BC-he was assassinated by a group of Senators who believed he had taken power too fast and would destroy the Republic C. After his death, civil war took place in Rome for 13 years. The winner would be Caesar’s adopted son

D. 27 BC- The Senate awarded him the name Augustus and made him the first emperor of Rome. E. ***This event would mark the end of the 500 year old Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire