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THE ROMAN REPUBLIC GEOGRAPHY AND RESOURCES Rome is at a crossroads:Rome is at a crossroads: Italian peninsulaItalian peninsula Mediterranean trade routes.

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Presentation on theme: "THE ROMAN REPUBLIC GEOGRAPHY AND RESOURCES Rome is at a crossroads:Rome is at a crossroads: Italian peninsulaItalian peninsula Mediterranean trade routes."— Presentation transcript:

1 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC GEOGRAPHY AND RESOURCES Rome is at a crossroads:Rome is at a crossroads: Italian peninsulaItalian peninsula Mediterranean trade routes between Africa and EuropeMediterranean trade routes between Africa and Europe Natural Resources: Navigable riversNavigable rivers ForestsForests IronIron Mild climateMild climate Arable land – support a large population of farmers => surplus product and labor gets exploited by the Roman state.Arable land – support a large population of farmers => surplus product and labor gets exploited by the Roman state.

2 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC REPUBLIC OF FARMERS According to legend: Ruled by seven kings between 753 B.C.E. and 507 B.C.E.Ruled by seven kings between 753 B.C.E. and 507 B.C.E. Kingship eliminated in 507 B.C.E. - representatives of the senatorial class overthrew the king and established a republic.Kingship eliminated in 507 B.C.E. - representatives of the senatorial class overthrew the king and established a republic. Centers of political power: Two consuls (Patrician)Two consuls (Patrician) Tribune (Plebian)Tribune (Plebian) The Senate – actually made policy and governed.The Senate – actually made policy and governed.

3 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE REPUBLIC Paterfamilias: Roman family of several generations living under the absolute authority of the oldest living male.Roman family of several generations living under the absolute authority of the oldest living male. Social Hierarchy: Patron/client relationships institutionalized inequality (gave both sides of the relationship reason to cooperate)Patron/client relationships institutionalized inequality (gave both sides of the relationship reason to cooperate) Women in Rome: More freedom than Greek women, but their legal status was still that of a childMore freedom than Greek women, but their legal status was still that of a child

4 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC EXPANSION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN WHY EXPAND: Greed, aggressiveness, the need for consuls to prove themselves as military commanders during their single year in office, and a constant fear of being attackedGreed, aggressiveness, the need for consuls to prove themselves as military commanders during their single year in office, and a constant fear of being attacked INITIAL PHASE: Conquered the rest of Italy (by 290 B.C.E.).Conquered the rest of Italy (by 290 B.C.E.). Win the support of the people of Italy by granting them Roman citizenship; had to provide soldiers for the military (ownership).Win the support of the people of Italy by granting them Roman citizenship; had to provide soldiers for the military (ownership).

5 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC EXPANSION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN LATER PHASE(s): First defeated Carthage to gain control over the western Mediterranean and Sicily, Sardinia, and Spain (264–202 B.C.E.)First defeated Carthage to gain control over the western Mediterranean and Sicily, Sardinia, and Spain (264–202 B.C.E.) Between 200 and 146 B.C.E., Rome defeated the Hellenistic kingdoms to take over the lands of the eastern Mediterranean.Between 200 and 146 B.C.E., Rome defeated the Hellenistic kingdoms to take over the lands of the eastern Mediterranean. Between 59 and 51 B.C.E., Gaius Julius Caesar conquered the Celts of Gaul.Between 59 and 51 B.C.E., Gaius Julius Caesar conquered the Celts of Gaul.

6 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC EXPANSION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN CONTROL OF EMPIRE Used local elite groups to administer and tax various provincesUsed local elite groups to administer and tax various provinces A Roman governor, who served a single one year term in office, supervised the local administrators.A Roman governor, who served a single one year term in office, supervised the local administrators. This system was inadequate and prone to corruption.This system was inadequate and prone to corruption.

7 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC FAILURE OF THE REPUBLIC LATIFUNDIA Men from independent farming families were forced to devote their time to military service…Men from independent farming families were forced to devote their time to military service… Large landowners bought up their land to create great estates called latifundia.Large landowners bought up their land to create great estates called latifundia. Decline in food production - latifundia owners preferred to grow grapes for wine in the place of less profitable wheat. Leeds to huge importation of wheat.Decline in food production - latifundia owners preferred to grow grapes for wine in the place of less profitable wheat. Leeds to huge importation of wheat.

8 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC FAILURE OF THE REPUBLIC RISE IN URBANISM Slave labor was cheap in an expanding empire.Slave labor was cheap in an expanding empire. Italian peasants, driven off the land and not employed by the latifundia, drifted into the cities where they formed a fractious unemployed underclass. Lived in small dirty wooden tenements, ghettos.Italian peasants, driven off the land and not employed by the latifundia, drifted into the cities where they formed a fractious unemployed underclass. Lived in small dirty wooden tenements, ghettos. Failure of land reform – evidenced by the assassination of the Gracchus brothers.Failure of land reform – evidenced by the assassination of the Gracchus brothers.

9 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC Lots of people move into the city forming a new urban class of poor and creating unrest. Tiberus and Gaius Gracchus – aristocrat brothers who were reform minded. Believed Rome’s problems lay in the decline of the small farmer. They wanted laws giving public land of aristocrats back to the landless poor. (First signs of welfare?) They believe that cities are bad places and farming is good. Killed by senators who see them as a threat.

10 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC FAILURE OF THE REPUBLIC INFLUENCE OF MILITARY The decline of peasant farmers results in a shortage of men who owned the minimum amount of property required for military service.The decline of peasant farmers results in a shortage of men who owned the minimum amount of property required for military service. Roman commanders built their armies from men from the underclass – tended to give their loyalty not to the Roman state, but to their commander.Roman commanders built their armies from men from the underclass – tended to give their loyalty not to the Roman state, but to their commander. This led to generals taking control of politics and to civil wars between military factions.This led to generals taking control of politics and to civil wars between military factions.

11 Collapse of the Republic (82 – 31 B.C.E) Civil wars besieges Rome, three men end up on top. Form First Triumvirate 60 B.C.E– Government where three people share equal power ( benefit to three always a majority!) Crassus – wealthiest man in Rome – given a command in Syria. Pompey – military general, Roman Hero, command in Spain. Julius Caesar - military general, commanded army in Spain. Shifted to Gaul (France)

12 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC DAWN OF THE EMPIRE RISE OF THE CAESARS Julius Caesar is stationed in France – becomes most revered general in RomeJulius Caesar is stationed in France – becomes most revered general in Rome Crassus is killed in battle in 53 B.C.E. now only 2! Senate meets and decides that Pompey should rule and votes for Caesar to lay down his arms.Crassus is killed in battle in 53 B.C.E. now only 2! Senate meets and decides that Pompey should rule and votes for Caesar to lay down his arms. Marches army on Rome; engages in civil war with PompeyMarches army on Rome; engages in civil war with Pompey Caesar had gotten strong in Gaul and his men were loyal and ready to fight, so he goes south and Crosses the Rubicon river which was the southern edge of his province. (Means your drawing a line in the sand, point of no return)Caesar had gotten strong in Gaul and his men were loyal and ready to fight, so he goes south and Crosses the Rubicon river which was the southern edge of his province. (Means your drawing a line in the sand, point of no return) Wins and becomes dictator for life in 45 BCEWins and becomes dictator for life in 45 BCE

13 CEASEAR CONT. Gives land to poorGives land to poor Increases the Senate to 900 members(mostly his supporters) looks good to public but actually weakens its power.Increases the Senate to 900 members(mostly his supporters) looks good to public but actually weakens its power. Assassinated on the steps of the Senate on March 15, 44 BCE (Ides of March)Assassinated on the steps of the Senate on March 15, 44 BCE (Ides of March) Sets off battle for control of Rome…Sets off battle for control of Rome…

14 SECOND TRIUMVIRATET Octavian- J. Caesars, nephew “adopted son” and chosen heir, comes to claim his “fathers” empire Marc Antony – J. Caesars second in command Lepidus – another of J.C. second bananas. Doesn’t last very long and soon Octavian has the west and Antony the east. (Antony also married to Octavia, Octavian’s sister) Antony allies with Egypt and its queen, Cleopatra also Antony’s lover and fights Octavian

15 REPUBLIC TO EMPIRE Battle of Actium – deciding battle held in Greece, Octavian troops smash Antony and Cleopatra and take complete control. Octavian chases the duo into Egypt. Another major battle at Alexandria, lose again and Antony and Cleopatra kill themselves, (Cleopatra poison asp, Antony with his sword.) Octavian at age 32, 31 B.C.E becomes supreme ruler over roman world, ended the republic. Gives some power back to senate, but is the first Roman Emperor, He is given the name …….. Augustus = “the revered one” he is very popular amongst Romans, given the title of Imperator by senate meaning “commander in chief,” which is where we get word emperor from, Had a standing army of 140,000 troops, made up of citizens and had auxiliary force of 130, 000, also had preatorian guard of 9,000 which were just his personal “secret service”

16 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC DAWN OF THE EMPIRE RISE OF THE CAESARS Julius Caesar’s grandnephew Octavian (also known as Augustus) took power in 31B.C.E., reorganized the Roman government, and ruled as a dictator.Julius Caesar’s grandnephew Octavian (also known as Augustus) took power in 31B.C.E., reorganized the Roman government, and ruled as a dictator. During the reign of Augustus, Egypt, parts of the Middle East, and Central Europe were added to the empire.During the reign of Augustus, Egypt, parts of the Middle East, and Central Europe were added to the empire. After Augustus died, several members of his family succeeded him. However, the position of emperor was not necessarily hereditary; in the end, armies chose emperors.After Augustus died, several members of his family succeeded him. However, the position of emperor was not necessarily hereditary; in the end, armies chose emperors.

17 THE ROMAN REPUBLIC DAWN OF THE EMPIRE RISE OF THE CAESARS Augustus allies himself with the equites: Class of well-to-do Italian merchants and landowners second in wealth and social status only to the senatorial class. These competent and self-assured individuals became the core of a new civil service.

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