Rome

Roman Republic 509 BC the Romans overthrew the last Etruscan king and established a Republic – Republic-leader is not a king and certain people have the right to vote Continuous warfare because of proximity of enemies Romans devised the Roman Confederation with different levels of citizenship

virtues Romans believed that their success was due to three virtues: duty, courage, and discipline Examples found in the writings of the Roman historian Livy Romans were successful because they were good diplomats – Extended citizenship to others and allowed them to run their own affairs – Built roads connecting towns – Practical in law and politics

Roman State Romans distrusted kings because of their experience with the Etruscans so they built a different form of government Early Rome was divided into two groups, the patricians and the plebians. The patricians were landowners and the and the plebians were smaller farmers, craftspeople and merchants. Members of both groups were citizens and could vote. Only patricians could be elected to office.

Roman state Chief executive officers of the empire were the consuls and praetors Two consuls ran the gov’t and led the army into battle The praetor directed the civil law which applied to citizens

Senate The roman senate was composed of about 300 patricians who served for life It was an advisory body but eventually became a law making body The most important people’s assembly was the centuriate assembly – Elected consuls and praetors and passed laws – Wealthiest citizens were always in the majority

Senate Often there was conflict between the patricians and plebians – Plebians wanted equality because they fought in the army to protect Rome – Council of plebs was created – Officials called the tribunes of plebs were supposed to protect the plebs – Plebs could eventually become consuls

System of Law Rome’s first code of law, the 12 Tables was adopted in 450 BC Later Rome adopted a more sophisticated system of laws which applied to Roman citizens only Legal questions began to arise over differences between Romans and non-romans New body of law called the Law of Nations arose to handle some of these cases – Treated all people equally – Person is innocent until proven guilty – Accused has rights – Judges should decide based on evidence

Rome conquers Rome faced a strong power in the Mediterranean-Carthage – Carthage was founded by the Phoenicians on the coast of Africa – Carthage had a large trading empire – Presence of carthaginians in sicily worried the romans – Two groups began a long struggle for control of the Mediterranean area

Punic Wars First Punic War, between Rome and Carthage began when Rome sent troops to sicily – Romans realized that they needed a large navy – Rome defeated Carthage’s navy – Carthage gave up its rights to sicily and paid money to rome. Sicily became rome’s 1 st province Carthage wanted revenge. Hannibal, the greatest Carthaginian general, began the 2 nd Punic war

Hannibal Hannibal entered Spain, moved east, and then crossed the Alps with a large army, including a large number of horses and 37 battle elephants Rome under threat Battle of Cannae, Rome lost almost 40,000 men – In response, Rome raised another army – Hannibal was roaming about Rome then attacked Carthage, forcing them to recall Hannibal Battle of Zama, Rome crushed Hannibal’s forces Spain became a Roman province

Third Punic War 146 BC Roman soldiers sacked Carthage 50,000 men, women, and children were sold into slavery Territory of Carthage became a Roman province called Africa Rome also conquered Macedonia and Greece – Both were put under roman control and now rome was the master of the Mediterranean