The Roman Republic and Empire

Republic A Republic is a system of government in which a group of representatives are elected by the people and make decisions on their behalf. A Republic is a system of government in which a group of representatives are elected by the people and make decisions on their behalf.

Geography Low mountains: Italian boot- low mountainous region in Northeastern region. Low mountains: Italian boot- low mountainous region in Northeastern region. Offers protection from Europa. Offers protection from Europa. Mediterranean Sea offers protection around the peninsula and created fishing trade. Mediterranean Sea offers protection around the peninsula and created fishing trade. In central Italy, open plain with fertile soil grew farms, orchards. In central Italy, open plain with fertile soil grew farms, orchards.

Rome Began as a small city-state in Italy called the Etruscans in 800 B.C. Began as a small city-state in Italy called the Etruscans in 800 B.C. Twelve separate city-states modeled after the Greek city-states ruled by a king and the nobles. Twelve separate city-states modeled after the Greek city-states ruled by a king and the nobles.

The Roman Republic Romans took control of the Italian peninsula in 509 BC with a revolution. Romans took control of the Italian peninsula in 509 BC with a revolution. Established a new form of government called a republic Established a new form of government called a republic –Republic means “thing of the people” –Believed it would keep any one person from gaining too much power

The Roman Republic Officials were chosen to rule on the peoples behalf. Officials were chosen to rule on the peoples behalf. A 300 member senate was created. It could grow up to 600 people over time. A 300 member senate was created. It could grow up to 600 people over time. –All members of the senate were Patricians (members of the landholding upper class nobles). –Senators served for life.

The Roman Republic Senators elected two consuls each year. Senators elected two consuls each year. –Consuls supervised the business of government and commanded Roman armies. –They were limited to a one year term. During times of war the senate often elected a dictator. During times of war the senate often elected a dictator. –Dictators had complete control over the government. –They were limited to a term of 6 months.

Consul Republican leadership structure Monarchy/executive 20 Quaestors: financial officers controlled by the treasury and funded the military 2 Aediles: officials who oversaw the city of Rome and took care of public buildings, structures and festivals 2 Censors: collect taxes, manage public contracts, and kept track of citizens (the census) for public voting 8 Praetors: chief law enforcement officers governed the provinces and filled in for consuls when they were absent from Rome. 10 Tribunes elected by the citizens to represent them and protect them from the patricians. Could propose legislation and veto the senate or officers, including the consuls.

Consul Senate: Patricians (noble land owners) Senators served for life: proposed and made legislation and advised the Consuls Assemblies: made up of plebeians (all common citizens) Could veto laws and suggest legislation. Voted for representatives. Technically served for life too.

Common People Demand Equality Common people were called Plebeians Common people were called Plebeians 450 BC: Plebeians demanded Roman laws be written down so they could know the laws. 450 BC: Plebeians demanded Roman laws be written down so they could know the laws. The Twelve Tablets created and displayed in the marketplace. The Twelve Tablets created and displayed in the marketplace. The tablets allowed the plebeians to demand justice based on the written law that could not be manipulated or changed. The tablets allowed the plebeians to demand justice based on the written law that could not be manipulated or changed. Plebeians gained the right to elect officials, and later the right to serve on the senate. Plebeians gained the right to elect officials, and later the right to serve on the senate.

Carthage: General Hannibal and the Punic Wars and the beginning of the Roman Empire Rome engaged in three wars against Carthage. Carthage is in North Africa. Rome engaged in three wars against Carthage. Carthage is in North Africa. The Romans won the Punic Wars, but the Carthaginians did a lot of damage to Italy with stampeding elephants. They were no match for advanced Roman iron weapons. The Romans won the Punic Wars, but the Carthaginians did a lot of damage to Italy with stampeding elephants. They were no match for advanced Roman iron weapons. Rome also developed alliances with Spain and Egypt spreading the Empire throughout the entire Mediterranean region. Rome also developed alliances with Spain and Egypt spreading the Empire throughout the entire Mediterranean region.

The Roman Empire: By 133 BC the Roman Empire occupied almost all of the Mediterranean region (including land once conquered by Alexander the Great, and the Greek city-states).

A Growing Empire As Rome grew a new class of wealthy landowners emerged. As Rome grew a new class of wealthy landowners emerged. –They forced captured people to work on their estates as slaves. –Small farmers were hurt as they could not produce food as cheaply as slave labor. –Grain brought in from conquered lands further reduced the price of crops hurting farmers even more.

Plebeians Revolt Plebeians suffered as Rome grew. Plebeians suffered as Rome grew. Rome had to maintain a large citizen army in order to defend its borders and continue expansion. Soldiers were paid very little, if at all and usually provided their own weapons. Rome had to maintain a large citizen army in order to defend its borders and continue expansion. Soldiers were paid very little, if at all and usually provided their own weapons. Plebeians began to demand reforms. Plebeians began to demand reforms. Senators and Consuls hired thugs to quiet protesters and protect their power Senators and Consuls hired thugs to quiet protesters and protect their power This sets off a series of civil wars within the empire. This sets off a series of civil wars within the empire.

All Hail Caesar! Soldiers began to turn against Rome, showing loyalty only to their commanders. Soldiers began to turn against Rome, showing loyalty only to their commanders. This allowed the military commander Julius Caesar to seize power in 51 BC. This allowed the military commander Julius Caesar to seize power in 51 BC. After winning a war against Gaul (France) he defied the Senate and suppressed the rebellions throughout Rome under his leadership. After winning a war against Gaul (France) he defied the Senate and suppressed the rebellions throughout Rome under his leadership.

He demanded to be made “dictator” and introduced reforms that included public aid and provided jobs for the poor so they could have citizenship rights. He demanded to be made “dictator” and introduced reforms that included public aid and provided jobs for the poor so they could have citizenship rights. In March 44 BC the Senate betrayed him and he was assassinated (stabbed to death) Et tu Brute In March 44 BC the Senate betrayed him and he was assassinated (stabbed to death) Et tu Brute They argued that they were afraid Caesar was too powerful and wanted to be king. They argued that they were afraid Caesar was too powerful and wanted to be king.

The Exalted One and the Empire Caesar’s grand-nephew Augustus was chosen as the next leader. Caesar’s grand-nephew Augustus was chosen as the next leader. Augustus ruled from BC. Augustus ruled from BC. –He brought the 500 year old Republic to an end because he ruled with absolute authority (like a king but he never called himself that). –The Senate had accepted that the Empire was too large to govern without a central authority. –Augustus left the Senate in place as an advisory body, but he set up new reforms calle Pax Romana

Pax Romana (Roman Peace) Created efficient, professional, well trained civil servants to enforce the law. Created efficient, professional, well trained civil servants to enforce the law. These men were chosen based on merit: performance and talent (not class) These men were chosen based on merit: performance and talent (not class) Allowed conquered territories to develop “self-government” as long as they followed Roman law and paid their taxes. Allowed conquered territories to develop “self-government” as long as they followed Roman law and paid their taxes. Peaceful Roman Empire lasted 200 years as one of the largest ancient empires based on strong trade and fair justice. Peaceful Roman Empire lasted 200 years as one of the largest ancient empires based on strong trade and fair justice.

Roman Law The principles of Roman law are the foundation of many modern legal systems. The principles of Roman law are the foundation of many modern legal systems. Romans were the first to develop written law or “codified law” that only applied to citizens Romans were the first to develop written law or “codified law” that only applied to citizens They also created Civil Law known as the Justinian Code that was to be applied fairly throughout the empire by collecting all of the laws together into a “book” They also created Civil Law known as the Justinian Code that was to be applied fairly throughout the empire by collecting all of the laws together into a “book” Developed the “law of nations” that would apply to all citizens and foreign subjects in conquered land: Developed the “law of nations” that would apply to all citizens and foreign subjects in conquered land: –These laws were based on reason and would later influence the Enlightenment (more on this later) –These rights included:  innocent until proven guilty and could face their accuser.  The accused had the right to a fair trial based on an honest interpretation of the law..

Summary: legacy of Rome First organized Republic with no king. First organized Republic with no king. Assembly and the structure of clear checks and balances with a cabinet and three branches of government Assembly and the structure of clear checks and balances with a cabinet and three branches of government Codified and consistent law across the Empire. Codified and consistent law across the Empire.