Roman Republic Section 9-2

Rome’s Government Romans divided into two classes –Patricians – nobles, wealthy land owners All of Rome’s ruling class –Plebeians – artisans, shopkeepers, farm owners Most of Rome’s people

Rome’s Government Citizens –Patricians and Plebeians: –Right to vote –Paid taxes –Serve in the army –Plebeians less social status than Patricians Could not marry each other Could not hold public office

Government consulspraetorssenate

Rome’s Government Consuls –Two patricians –Ran government –Headed army –One year term –Could veto the other’s decision

Rome’s Government Praetors –Act as judges –Interpret the law

Rome’s Government Senate –Made laws –300 patrician men –Life term

Rome’s Government Assembly of Centuries –Elected consuls and praetors –Passed laws –Patricians only

Rome’s Government Plebeians complained 494 B.C. they went on strike Patricians agreed to share power Gave them the Council of the Plebs

Council of the Plebs Elected tribunes who brought concerns to government’s attention Could veto decisions Could marry Patricians By 300’s B.C., could become a consul Could pass laws for all Romans

Cincinnatus Was a dictator (ruled with complete control during an emergency) Farmer, ruled for 16 days then stepped down Romans strongly believed in civic duty or the idea that citizens have a responsibility to help their country.

Cincinnatus With one hand he returns the fasces, symbol of power as appointed dictator of Rome. His other hand holds the plow, as he resumes the life of a citizen and farmer." — A statue of Cincinnatus in Cincinnati, Ohio.fasces Cincinnati, Ohio

Roman Law Twelve Tables –Rome’s first law code –Written because plebeians thought laws favored patricians –All citizens had the right to be treated equally in the legal system –Applied only to citizens

Table II. 2. He whose witness has failed to appear may summon him by loud calls before his house every third day.

Table IV. 1. A dreadfully deformed child shall be quickly killed. 2. If a father sell his son three times, the son shall be free from his father.

Table V. 1. Females should remain in guardianship even when they have attained their majority.

Table VII. 1. Let them keep the road in order. If they have not paved it, a man may drive his team where he likes. 9. Should a tree on a neighbor's farm be bend crooked by the wind and lean over your farm, you may take legal action for removal of that tree. 10. A man might gather up fruit that was falling down onto another man's farm.

Roman Law Law of Nations –Helped solve legal disputes between citizens and non citizens

Roman Law Both sets of laws use ideas that we still use today –Innocent until proven guilty –Use of defense –Judges must look at evidence before deciding

Roman Law “Rule of Law” –Idea that says the law should apply equally to everyone –This was a new idea then!

Rome Expands Carthage –In northern Africa –Ruled a trading empire

Rome Expands First Punic War –Carthage and Rome wanted to both control Sicily –Rome built up a big navy and conquered –20 years later, Sicily was under Roman rule

Rome Expands Second Punic War –Carthage expanded into Spain after they lost Italy –Rome helped Spain rebel against Carthage –Carthage sent Hannibal to attack Rome Hannibal is known marching into Italy with a huge army and 37 elephants –Rome lost at the battle of Cannae –General Scipio invaded Spain and beat C.

Rome Expands Rome was now a major power in the Mediterranean Third Punic War –Rome invaded Carthage Enslaved, destroyed Made Carthage a province

Rome Expands Two years later, Macedonia fell to Rome Two more years later, Greece fell to Rome By 129 B.C., Rome gained its first Asian province