Chapter 11.2 Rome as a Republic 1. Not everyone was treated fairly in the Roman Republic. Rome’s government reflected divisions within its society.

2. Early Romans were divided into two classes: patricians and plebeians. 3. The patricians were Rome’s ruling class. These people were wealthy landowners. They came from Rome’s oldest and most prominent families. 4. Plebeians were not as wealthy. This group of people included artisans, shopkeepers, and owners of small farms. 5. Patrician and plebeian men were Roman citizens and had the right to vote.

6. Both groups were required to pay taxes and serve in the army. Plebeians, however, had a lower social position than the patricians. 7. For example, it was illegal for a patrician and a plebeian to marry each other. Plebeians also lacked important basic rights. They could not hold public office or lead the public ceremonies that honored the gods of Rome.

Government of the Republic 1. The government of the Roman Republic was organized into three branches. One branch made laws, another ran the daily affairs of government, an a third branch acted as judges. 2. It also had a system of checks and balances. It was designed to prevent one branch from becoming too strong. 3. It did not separate powers like the U.S. government does today.

4. Judges helped run the government and could lead armies. Some leaders who ran the government also helped make laws. 5. Plebeians began to become frustrated. They had to serve in the army and pay taxes, yet they had no power in the government. 6. In 494 B.C. they went on strike. Refusing to fight in the army. They even left Rome to start their own government.

7. Marriages between plebeians and patricians were made legal after years of dispute because of social rankings. 8. Woman did not have any political rights during this time frame. 9. A dictator ruled during difficult or dangerous times and when this period ended so did this office 10. Cincinnatus was a famous during this period. He was loyal to Rome.

11. The Roman Empire went to Cincinnatus while he was plowing his fields. They asked him to lead the army and he did. 12. He defeated the enemy then 16 days later he returned to plowing. 13. He was admired because he fulfilled his civic duty. 14. George Washington admired Cincinnatus. George Washington was also a farmer and was asked to lead our army.

15. Later, Mr. Washington reluctantly agreed to become the first president of the United States. 16. Rome influenced our laws here in the U.S. 17. At first Roman laws were not written down. Plebeians believed that patrician judges would always rule in favor of the upper classes if these laws were not written down. 18. In 451 B.C., Rome adapted its first written code of laws known as the Twelve Tables.

19. They were carved on twelve bronze tablets and placed in Rome’s marketplace, called the Forum. 20. As Rome expanded, so did their laws. This new system was called “The law of Nations.” 21. The “Rule of law” is passed to the world today. This means that we have to treat everyone equally. 22. Back then, the upper class had a better chance in court cases than the lower class citizens.

23. In the Mediterranean region, Carthage was a powerful trading empire based along the north African coast. It became Rome’s main rival. 24. War between the Romans and Carthaginians began in 264 B.C. known as the Punic War. 25. This war lasted for over 120 through a series of conflicts. 26. The First Punic War began when Rome sought control of Sicily. Carthage had a few colonies on the island and wanted to defend their interests.

27. Rome won the battle over Sicily. But Carthage tried to expand to Spain yet Rome intervened once again. 28. A general named Hannibal was sent to Rome in 218 B.C. This started the “Second Punic War.” 29. He traveled across the Alps with elephants and 46,000 men. Half the men and animals died on the way to Italy. 30. In 216 B.C. Hannibal defeated the Romans at the Battle of Cannae.

31. In 206 B.C. The Roman forces were lead by Scipio and he captured Spain and then attacked the city of Carthage. Hannibal returned home to North Africa to defend his people. 32. Scipio’s troops defeated the Carthaginians in 202 B.C. at the Battle of Zama. 33. In 146 B.C. Rome finally destroyed it in the Third Punic War. 34. In 140 B.C. all of Greece fell under Roman rule.