1. Ancient Rome
Learning Target #2: I can analyze the various ways that society in Ancient Rome influenced modern society in the United States.
CASS 10.1

2. Ancient Rome

3. Gov’t in Ancient Rome
In 509 B.C., the Roman nobility overthrew the king (Tarquin the Proud), and what had been a monarchy became a republic.
Republic: a government in which the people elect their representatives.
Republic consisted of two groups
Senate and Consuls
Rome had two major social classes
Patricians: the wealthy class, land owners, nobility
Plebeians: the common people, laborers

4. Roman Laws
450 B.C. The Romans laid down their laws on twelve (12) bronze tablets which were set out in the market place to be understood by all.
“Defendant innocent until proven guilty”
“Defendant has the right to challenge his accuser before a judge”
Written Laws
No exceptions, no compassion, no mercy
Stories of fathers who sentenced their own sons to death without hesitation because the law demanded.

5. Twelve (12) Tablets

6. Life in Ancient Rome Roman empire expanded.
Empire included Phoenicians, Jews, Greeks
Romans looked down on ALL other groups of people
“Others” were good only for one thing: paying up
Crushing taxes
Sending grain to Rome
A handful of rich men controlled 99% of the wealth in Rome.
Majority of population were slaves
Farmers, miners, teachers…
Treated and sold as cattle
Julius Caesar
Reformed the calendar to make it more like the one we know today
Julian Calendar
12 months, leap years
“July”