Roman Republic Chapter 6 Section 1

Setting the Stage While the great civilization of Greece was in decline, a new civilization to the West was developing and increasing its power. The city of Rome grew from a small village to a mighty empire. It adopted Greek art, philosophy, religion and drama. But at the same time it created a lasting legacy of its own.

Roman Legend According to Roman legend, the city was founded in 753 B.C. by Romulus and Remus. Twin sons of the God Mars and a Latin princess. The twins were abandoned on the Tiber River as infants and raised by she-wolf. As men, Romulus and Remus built a city and fought over who should rule. Romulus killed his brother, became king and named the city Rome.

Rome Rome developed because of its strategic location and its fertile soil. Built on seven rolling hills at a curve on the Tiber River. The Italian peninsula divides the Mediterranean nearly in half, and Rome is midway between the Alps,on Italy’s northern border, and its southern tip. Thus, Rome, a central point on a central peninsula, was ideally located to send trading ships and armies in every direction.

Three groups of people greatly affected the culture of the region around Rome: Latins Greeks Etruscans

Latins The Latins had crossed the Alps around 1000 B.C.- they built the original settlement at Rome. Cluster of wooden huts atop one of its seven hills, Palatine Hill. Considered to be the 1 st Romans

Greeks Built colonies along Southern Italy and Sicily between 750 B.C. and 600 B.C. Brought all of Italy, including Rome, into closer contact with Greek civilization.

Etruscans Were a native to Northern Italy. Skilled metalworkers and engineers Strongly influenced the development of Roman civilization. Romans adopted their alphabet Influenced Rome’s architecture, specifically the arch. Several of Rome’s early kings were Etruscans

The Early Republic Between about 600 B.C. and 509 B.C. the collection of hilltop villages that was Rome became a city. The kings who were its first rulers ordered the construction of the cities first temples and public buildings. The most famous was a public meeting place known as the FORUM. The Forum was the heart of Roman political life.

In 509 B.C. Romans overthrew their king and reorganized themselves as a REPUBLIC -- a government in which citizens have the right to choose their leaders. The Roman Republic was not a full democracy, because citizens did not have equal political/legal rights.

In the early republic, different groups of Romans struggled for power. One group was the Patricians - the aristocratic landowners who held most of the power. These individuals inherited their power and social status. The other group was the Plebeians - Common farmers, merchants, and artisans. (Majority of population) These men were free citizens with the right to vote, but they were barred from holding most of the important political offices. Class System

The plebeians were not happy with the unequal division of power in Rome. Plebeians gained protection in 451 B.C. when Rome’s basic laws were written down in the TWELVE TABLES. With unwritten laws, patrician officials often interpreted the law to suit themselves. Hung in the Forum for all to see. The Twelve Tables provided the basis for the Roman legal system for the next thousand years. It also established the idea that all free citizens had a right to the protection of the law. Roman Laws

Government Under the Republic By 275 B.C. Romans boasted they had a balanced government. By that they meant that their government combined the best features of a monarchy, an aristocracy and a democracy.

Consuls In place of a king (monarchy), the Romans had two officials called CONSULS. Commanded the army and directed the government. They served for only one year. Same person could not be elected consul for ten years. Either consul could overrule or veto the other’s decisions.

Senate Was the aristocratic branch of Rome’s government. Its 300 members were chosen from the upper class of Roman society. Had great influence over both foreign and domestic policy. Members of the Senate served for life. At first, only patricians could be members of the Senate, but later plebeians were also allowed to be Senators.

Assemblies The democratic aspect of Rome’s government were the Assemblies. Two types: Centuriate Soldiers only, chose consuls, makes laws Tribal Organized by Plebeians Ordinary citizens, elects tribunes, makes laws Both serve for life. Over the years, the power of the assemblies increased.

Dictator In times of crisis, the Republic (Consuls and Senators) could appoint a Dictator. A leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army. Dictator’s power lasted for only six months. Dictators were chosen by the Consuls and elected by the Senate.

As the Romans were developing this balanced government, their army was expanding their empire. All citizens who owned land were required to serve in the army. The Roman army was organized into LEGIONS, or units of some 5,000 heavily armored foot soldiers accompanied by cavalry units.  Military organization and fighting skill were key factors in Rome’s rise to greatness.  Unlike the Athenians, the Romans extended citizenships to people outside Rome. Roman Army

Punic Wars Rome’s greatest rival was Carthage, a city in North Africa founded by the Phoenicians. Both would try to gain control of the Mediterranean. In 264 B.C., Rome went to war with Carthage. Three wars between Rome and Carthage are known as the Punic Wars. 1 st war – Control over Sicily & the Western Mediterranean (lasted 23 years and Rome won) 2 nd war – Carthage, led by Hannibal, wanted to avenge earlier defeat. Successful early but lost. 3 rd war – In 146 B.C., Rome finally destroyed Carthage with the help of Scipio, a Roman general, and made its territory a Roman province.

Rome’s victories in the Punic Wars gave it dominance over the Western Mediterranean. Romans then went on to conquer the Eastern half. By about 70 B.C., Rome’s Mediterranean empire stretched from Anatolia in the East to Spain in the West.