THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

Natural Advantages of the City: 1. located on fertile, coastal plain 2. Tiber River 3. located on seven hills Nomadic, Indo-European people migrated southwest and settle on the Tiber River. Traditional Founding Date for Rome: 750 B.C. Roman Legends 1. Romulus and Remus 2. Aeneas

B.C. Early Romans fought with other tribes for control of the area. Through trade, they encountered Phoenicians and Greeks and adopted many of their ideas. 600 B.C. Etruscans conquered Rome, and ruled them for about 100 years. During this period, Romans adopt alphabet, art styles, religion, and building techniques. 509 B.C. Romans overthrow the Etruscans and establish a Republic which lasts 500 years. All citizens with the right to vote choose their leaders. The elected leaders represent the people and rule in their name. This is a Representative Democracy.

Three Social Classes of the Early Republic: Patricians - wealthy landowners (citizens, can vote and hold public office) Plebeians - common people (citizens, can vote but not hold public office) Slaves - no rights

Consuls (2) - served a one year term 1. directed the government and commanded the army 2. have veto power over the other consul 3. become a senator after the one year term GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC Senate patricians who served for life 1. guided foreign and domestic policy 2. chose two CONSULS each year from patrician class

Assembly of Centuries - composed of citizens 1. passed laws and elected consuls 2. chose officials: praetors and censors Assembly of Tribes - composed of plebeians only elected ten TRIBUNES - patricians who spoke for their interest in the Senate. Praetors - eight judges who serve one year terms 1. two oversee civil and criminal courts 2. six oversee courts in provinces GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC In an emergency (crisis) situation, the Senate could appoint a dictator who had absolute power for six months.

B.C. - Rome centralizes its power in Central and Northern Italy. 256 B.C. - Rome has conquered the Greek city-states of Southern Italy and now controls the whole peninsula. Rome grants citizenship to some, others are allowed to govern their own affairs. This ensures loyalty! Cultural Diffusion - Rome builds a network of roads that begin in Rome and spread throughout Italy. (Appian Way) Built for the military, they helped increase trade and communication and the exchange of ideas. Settlement of troops in different regions spread Roman customs and language. THE EXPANSION OF ROME

Cause: Because Rome conquered Greek city-states, it inherited a trade rivalry in the Western Mediterranean Sea. 1st Punic War ( B.C.) Began as a conflict over trade in Sicily. Carthage lost and has to pay a fine and give Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica to Rome. PUNIC WARS ( B.C.) Carthage (Phoenician) vs. Rome

2nd Punic War ( B.C.) Led by Hannibal, Carthage tries to expand in Spain. Rome tries to stop them. Hannibal invades Italy. He wanders throughout Italy trying to incite a rebellion. Rome sends an army to face Hannibal at Cannae. The Romans are defeated. Rome then attacks Carthage. Hannibal has to return home to defend. Battle of Zama: Hannibal defeated by Scipio (Africanus). Carthage has to pay a heavy fine and give Spain to Rome. Rome is now supreme in the Western Mediterranean. PUNIC WARS ( B.C.) Carthage (Phoenician) vs. Rome

3rd Punic War ( B.C.) Carthage attempted to go to war without Rome's consent. Rome obliterates Carthage and takes over the territory around Carthage. People are massacred or sold off as slaves. PUNIC WARS ( B.C.) Carthage (Phoenician) vs. Rome

12 TABLES OF LAW (451 B.C.) First written law code of Rome - (carved into 12 stone tablets) 1. Very strict laws - eye for an eye 2. Continued the separation of patricians and plebeians

FAMILY Romans had large families Father had absolute control over his house 1. could sell a son or daughter 2. decides infant mortality WOMEN Citizens, but no political rights Marriages are arranged by father around the age of 14 Can be seen in public RELIGION Worshipped gods of those they conquered No national religion

MOVING TOWARDS EMPIRE By 44 B. C. Rome controls: 1. Spain 2. Macedonia 3. Syria 4. Gaul (France) 5. Greece 6. Nile Delta 7. N. Africa 8. Part of Asia Minor

Government of New Territories (provinces) 1. gave nearby Latins citizenship 2. allowed conquered people to keep customs and local government 3. settle Roman soldiers in the provinces 4. each province was headed by a governor (appt. by Senate)

The effects of creating an empire were both good and bad. GOOD 1. Roman and Hellenistic culture were spread 2. Trade and commerce increased 3. Tribute poured into the city in the form of grain, treasure, and slaves. BAD 1. Grain from the provinces created a surplus in Rome. Prices fell and small farmers had to sell their land to payoff their debts. 2. Vast amounts of treasure cause inflation. 3. Slaves were brought back to work on the Latifundia. The small farmer cannot compete and is forced out of work.

DECLINE OF THE REPUBLIC Attempts at Reform: Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus (Tribunes) 1. want to limit the amount of land one person can own 2. redistribute land to the poor 3. settle landless poor in the provinces Senate opposed their reforms and the Gracchus brothers are murdered. Civil War begins in 88 B.C. as generals compete for power. 1. Between B.C. a series of dictators rule Rome. 2. Cornelius Sulla abolished the law limiting the 6 month term limit.

1st TRIUMVIRATE (60 B.C.) Julius Caesar Gnaeus Pompey Marcus Crassus 44 B.C.: Julius Caesar is given the title by the Senate “Dictator for Life” and rules as an "Absolute Ruler" Caesar’s Reforms: a. redistributed land to the poor b. granted citizenship to people in the provinces c. public building projects d. increased soldiers pay Caesar is assassinated in the Senate on March 15, 44 B.C. (Brutus and Cassius) because some thought he was becoming too powerful and dangerous

2nd TRIUMVIRATE Octavian Mark Antony Marcus Lepidus 1. capture and kill Caesar’s killers 2. power struggle occurs between Octavian and Mark Antony 3. Octavian defeats Antony in a naval battle (Actium) 4. Octavian is undisputed ruler of Rome 5. Given the title “AUGUSTUS” by the Senate. He is now Emperor of the Romans.

ROME IS NOW AN EMPIRE