Culture, Government, Society Rome Culture, Government, Society

Roman Society Rome was divided into four main social classes based on wealth and rank Classes were the Patricians, Plebeians, Freedmen, and Slaves Patricians were the wealthy landowning group of politicians and military officials, they only made up about 5% of Rome population Plebeians were the commoners and peasants of Rome making up other 95%

Society Patricians and Plebeians were the Roman citizens Major difference in hierarchy was birth and job status Freedmen had paid out of slavery but were not citizens and had little rights Slaves were conquered people from other lands and farmed or built roads throughout Rome

Laws Plebeians demanded laws be written down for equal rule across the city Law of Twelve Tables were inscribed on bronze tablets in the forum Forum was the major marketplace and central location in Rome Laws could be appealed by Plebeians as they were consistent across city

Government Early Rome had been ruled with a King but in 509 B.C. would shift toward a Republic A Republic is a form of government where citizens vote on representatives to decide issues

Roman Republic Senate was powerful early on with 300 patricians in charge Senators had life sentences creating laws and taxes for civilization Two Consuls, political leaders were then elected by Senate as overseers Consuls supervised business of government and had military command

The Assembly While the Patricians were able to control the Senate, the Plebeians were given the Assembly.   The Assembly was where Plebeians could hold their own debates and had a larger population effecting political decisions   Assembly could elect consuls and other political positions so their approval was necessary Assembly also had Veto power showing balance between branches

Roman Republic https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/an cientcultures/romanrepublic/

12 Tables Activity Using your 12 Tables document and worksheet discuss the effects of each prompt as if you were a Roman juror

Roman Culture Society was male-dominated with men having absolute power in household Role of women was changing with some running businesses but most working at home raising families Similarities with Greek values with only men having a vote in government

Education Education was important: both boys and girls learn how to write Citizens were expected to memorize important moments in Roman history Private tutors were hired by wealthiest Roman citizens Religion had similar Gods as Greece with many feasts and celebrations on their calendars

Architecture Blend of Etruscan and Greek values Use of arch showed symmetry and balance in buildings Arch would lead to development of dome and coliseum in the future

By 270 B.C. the Romans had defeated the Etruscans and neighboring Greek city- states, giving them control over the Italian peninsula Rome was able to do this with the largest and most organized army in the Mediterranean Citizen soldiers known as the Legion were able to conquer these lands leading to an increased tax revenue and military force Growth of Rome

Expansion Cont. Rome battles Carthage in the Punic Wars for control of the Mediterranean  Battles occur from 264-146 B.C. Carthage was a massive trading empire along Northern Africa  In the first Punic War, Rome defeats Carthage and gains Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia

 Punic Wars Second Punic War pits Rome against Carthaginian general Hannibal Hannibal uses elephants and tries to attack Rome by traveling through Alps Carthage is once again defeated now only controlling North Africa Third Punic War leads to Rome destroying Carthage and salting the lands  Rome is now in control of western Mediterranean regions 

Roman Imperialism Roman Empire Imperialism: a policy of extending a country's influence with military or political dominance Romans confront and take over divided Hellenistic nations.  Rome now has control from Spain to Egypt

Problems with Imperialism As Rome gets wealthier and empire grows, slaves begin taking Roman jobs This leads to widespread unemployment and angry Plebeians Farmers move into city of Roma causing a massive food shortage New wealth leads to corruption in Senate

Attempts at Reform Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus will attempt to lead reforms in Rome Senate is angered when they distribute land to farmers and kill them Rome will now be plunged into a series of civil wars Who will rise from the ashes of the republic...?