The Roman Republic 509 BCE – 133 BCE

The Early Republic 509 BCE – overthrow Etruscan king; 1 st Roman rulers Never want to be ruled by a king again REPUBLICCreate a REPUBLIC –Rulers chosen by the people –Latin word meaning “thing of the people” –Not necessarily a democracy

Classes in Roman Society

Structure of Roman Government Senate Consuls Chosen by Senate 300 members All Patricians Serve for life Make laws Judge laws 2 Patricians chosen by Senate Day to day business of Gov’t Only serve 1 term (term limits) EMERGENCY DICTATOR Ideal Example: Cincinnatus

Structure of Roman Government Senate Consuls Chosen by Senate 300 members All Patricians Serve for life Make laws Judge laws 2 Patricians chosen by Senate Day to day business of Gov’t Only serve 1 term (term limits) EMERGENCY DICTATOR Tribunes Chosen by Plebeians Could veto laws

The Changing Republic Plebeians begin to protest for more say in government 450 BCE – convince Senate to write down laws & post them in public place –LAWS OF THE TWELVE TABLES –Somewhat harsh –Allows plebeians to appeal rules of judges Tribunes –Plebeians eventually get right to elect Tribunes vetoTribunes get the right to veto laws that hurt plebeians ConsulsSenators –Later, even get right to be Consuls, Senators

Lasting Legacies Common people get rights & safeguards Peaceful acquisition of rights Checks & on people in power Veto Republican form of gov’t Roman Republic’s legacy especially important to United States

Expansion in Italy Early growth –Early overthrown of Etruscan rulers –Began to go after neighboring tribes –By 270 BCE, occupied Italy from Rubicon River in north to “tip of boot” in southern Italy The Roman Army

Treatment of Conquered Lands Generally treated conquered people with justice Conquered people had to: –acknowledge Roman leadership –pay taxes –supply soldiers to Roman army Rome let them –keep local customs, local money, & local gov’t Some (very few) get full citizenship Some (more) get partial citizenship: –allowed to marry Roman citizens, carry on trade in Rome Conquered people become very loyal to Rome, even in rough times

How to Protect Newly Conquered Lands Posted soldiers around empire Network on all-weather roads (quick movement of army, trade) People began to adopt Latin language and Roman culture

Rivalry with Carthage  Originally a Phoenician colony  Acts independently  City in northern Africa  (present day Tunisia)  Extends empire around coasts of western Med.  Roman expansion throughout Italy increases contact with Carthaginian empire

Punic Wars ( BCE) 1 st Punic War Fairly short Rome defeats Carthage –Takes control of Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica Carthage infuriated by losses –Going to want revenge In Latin, Phoenician = Punicus

Hannibal (Carthaginian) –Brilliant military leader –Wants revenge for loss in 1 st Punic War Decides to attack from north –Takes army into Spain, over mountains –Losses half of army, all but one war elephant Surprises Roman Army –Does very well, many successful battles Punic Wars ( BCE) 2 nd Punic War

Rome counter-attacks –Attacks city of Carthage Hannibal has to take army back to Carthage Battle of Zama – Rome Wins –Carthage loses all land except land around city in North Africa –Must pay huge tribute Punic Wars ( BCE) 2 nd Punic War (cont.)

Carthage recovers quickly –Leadership of Hannibal Cato (famous Roman citizen) says –“Carthage must be destroyed” Rome attacks again –Burns city to ground –Plows salt into earth –People killed or made slaves –Rome gets a province in Northern Africa Punic Wars ( BCE) Aftermath

Collapse of the Republic Video: Roman Empire and Civilization –Part 2  From Republic to Empire (20 min.) Complete worksheet as you go What kinds of problems weakened the Republic and made it possible for individuals to seize power?