The Roman Republic

Vocabulary Words Republic Patrician Plebeian Tribune Consul Senate Dictator Legion Punic Wars Hannibal

Founding of Rome Built along the Tiber river due to its strategic location and fertile soil First settled around 1000 BCE, inhabited by three different groups – The Latins – The Greeks – The Etrucscans

History of Rome The Latins built the original settlement at Rome, considered to be the first Romans Greeks established colonies to the south, bringing all of Italy into closer contact with the Greek civilization The Etruscans were native to northern Italy, skilled metalworkers and engineers Strongly influenced Roman civilization, had a system of writing and their alphabet was adopted by the Romans, also influenced architecture, especially the arch

The Early Republic Originally ruled by kings, the last of which Tarquin the Proud was a harsh tyrant Tarquin was driven from power in 509 BCE and the Romans vow they will never again be ruled by a king They establish a republic, which means “public affairs” Power rests with the citizens, who have the right to vote for their leaders Only free-born male citizens could vote

Roman Republic ( BCE) Political System – Consuls – Senate (patricians) – Tribunes (plebeians) Military expansion – Assimilated conquered peoples Twelve Tables – Created a standardized system of laws – Established rights for defendants

Expansion of Roman Republic

End of Republic Growing tensions between rich & poor Latifundias – Large plantations in conquered lands controlled by aristocrats Julius Caesar – Dictator for life in 44 BCE – Reforms Sought to relieve tension between the classes – Executed by aristocratic conspirators

Roman Empire (31 BCE-476 CE) Established by Augustus – Continued military expansion – Pax Romana NOT a dynasty – Succession often depended upon military strength Tolerated local customs & religions Laws & patriotism held empire together

Roman Aqueducts

Columns Much of the ancient world used columns to hold up buildings, including the Romans. You needed to have many columns to support the weight of heavy roofs.

BUT, the Romans also learned to use the arch to build huge structures. Arch : a curved or bowed shape used in construction. It allowed for the use of wider, more open spaces, and held more weight than columns.

Arches can be used in all sort of combinations to create all kinds of new architecture in buildings, like vaults and domes. Vault: arches strung together to form a long hallway

Dome: arches in 360 degrees= semi-circular roof This Roman building is called the Pantheon. The hole in the top allows light to project into the grand hall. Originally the inside of the dome was covered in bronze to allow the sun to reflect off the walls improving the interior lighting. Remember the Romans didn’t have electricity.

Interior view of the Pantheon The dome of the Pantheon is shaped in a half circle that rests on a circular wall. CEMENT/Concrete The Romans were also the first to make widespread use of cement.

The Roman Coliseum a stadium in Rome where games and gladiator* matches were held. The coliseum could seat 55,000 spectators and… after the games it took only 28 minutes to clear the seats. *gladiator: someone who would fight to the death for entertainment

Roads The Romans build a large network of roadways throughout the empire. They were built to last. They spanned over 50,000 miles. There is a saying in Europe that you can’t get lost because, “all roads lead to Rome.” APPIAN WAY 230 miles CONSTRUCTED FOR EASY TROOP MOVEMENT.

Aqueducts A pipe or channel built to carry water between distant places

The Romans were the greatest builders of roads, bridges and aqueducts in the ancient world. They created a system of aqueducts for Rome that brought water from as far away as 60 miles. The water system in Segovia, Spain, still uses part of an ancient Roman aqueduct.

Circus Maximus

A large open-air venue used for public events. Circuses were venues for chariot races, horse races, and performances that commemorated important events of the empire For events that involved re- enactments of naval battles, the circus was flooded with water.

Other Structures

Fall of the Roman Empire 164 – Antonian Plague spreads through Rome 180 – End of Pax Romana 300 – Diocletian divides the Empire 313 – Constantine legalizes Christianity 410 – Visigoths sack Rome 455 – Vandals sack Rome 476 – Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Germanic Invasions

Patricians and Plebians Struggled for power Patricians - wealthy land owners, held most of the power Plebeians – common farmers, make up the majority of the population Patricians felt they had the authority to make laws for Rome Plebeians could vote but not hold important government positions Assembled tribunes, which protected their rights from unfair acts of the Patricians

Twelve Tables Created written laws on twelve tables or tablets which hung in the Forum Basis for later Roman law Protected Plebeians from the Patricians interpreting the unwritten law to suit themselves

Government Under the Republic Made up of two officials, called consuls – Could command the army and direct the government – One year term – Couldn’t be re-elected for 10 years – One consul could overrule, or veto, the others decision

Government Under the Republic Senate – 300 members chosen from the upper class Great influence over foreign and domestic policy Democratic assemblies elect tribunes and make laws for common people Tribunes protected the rights of Plebeians from unfair acts of the Patrician officials Dictator – leader who had absolute power – Make laws – Command the army – Six month term – Chosen by the consuls and then elected by the Senate

Roman Army All land owning citizens were required to serve in the army Ten year service commitment for those seeking public office Organized into large military units called legions Legions – 5000 heavily armed foot soldiers – Supported by cavalry – Further organized into groups of 80 men called a century Military organization and fighting skill were key factors in Rome’s rise to greatness

Rome Spreads Its Power Sought to expand the empire through trade and conquest Eventually they defeat the Etruscans to the north and the Greek city-states to the south Treatment of Conquered Territories – Latins were given full citizenship – Others were given full rights except the right to vote – All others considered allies, Rome did not interfere with its allies as long as they supplied troops for the Roman army and did not make treaties of friendship with any other state This lenient policy helped Rome succeed in building a long- lasting empire

Commercial Network Established a large trading network Access to the Mediterranean provides many trade routes Other large and powerful cities interfered with Roman access to the Mediterranean Carthage – located on the North African coast In direct opposition with Rome

Punic Wars 264 BCE Rome and Carthage go to war Known as the Punic Wars Lasted between 264 BCE and 146 BCE

Punic Wars Fought three wars – The first for control of Sicily and the western Mediterranean, lasted 23 years (264 BCE BCE) – The second began in 218 BCE started by Hannibal who wanted revenge for the earlier Carthaginian, eventually won by Rome due to Scipio’s efforts – The third (149 BCE – 146 BCE) Rome laid siege to Carthage, city eventually set afire and it’s 50,000 inhabitants were sold into slavery, its territory was made a Roman province

Rome Triumphs Victory in the Punic Wars gave Rome dominance over the western Mediterranean Romans then went on to conquer the eastern half Empire stretched from Anatolia to Spain Brought on its own set of difficulties