Sources of the Democratic Tradition Section 2: The Roman Republic and Empire

Establishing a Republic 509 B.C. Romans form a republic Senate regulated Roman life. Consuls Dictators

450 BC Patricians v Plebeians Plebeians gain rights with The 12 Tables-written law Tribunes-chosen by the people

270 B.C- with the help of citizen-soldiers, Rome controls Italian peninsula

From Republic to Empire Punic Wars between 246 B.C. and 146 B.C. Rome destroyed Carthage and gained control of its lands and peoples.

In the eastern Mediterranean, Rome gained lands conquered by Alexander the Great.

Civil Wars in Rome Political leaders and the senate fought, Empire came to rely on paid soldiers who were loyal to their commanders over the state.

Julius Caesar became dictator Killed in 44 B.C.,

31 B.C. Octavian became emperor in and took the title of Augustus. civil service fairer tax system. Pax Romana, a 200-year period of peace.

Roman Law United the empire. Apply to everyone in the empire. Many Roman principles still practiced today.

Greco-Roman Civilization Romans imitated Greek styles but wrote in Latin. Philosophy of Stoicism influenced many Roman thinkers.

Justinian’s code of laws served to transmit Roman law Justinian’s code of laws served to transmit Roman law. His wife, Theodora, was a tough politician and co-ruler of the Byzantine empire with Justinian.

The Legacy of Rome- The idea of a republic Representative Government Preserved Greek concept that individual is a citizen of a state, rather than subject of ruler A written legal code