1. Rome

2. Two Periods
The Republic
The Empire

3. The Republic Patrician/Plebian Struggle, Expansion in Italy
Civil War, Rise of Army Leaders, Julius Caesar

4. Location 16 Miles inland from mouth of Tiber River
Group of low hills (7 by tradition)
Archaeology shows traces of a settlement from the 9th- 7th century BCE on the Palantine hill and a cemetery for the community in the valley below. This valley will become the Roman Forum.

5. Geography Italian Peninsula is in the middle of the Mediterranean
Rome is in middle of Italian Peninsula, half way between the Alps and southern tip of Italy
Central position to send out armies and ships in all directions
Rome built at 1st crossing point of Tiber River. Controls trade routes between northern and southern Italy

6. Founding Myth Romulus and Remus
Twins of Mars (War God) & Rhea Silvia (Latin Princess)
Latin king has twins put in basket on Tiber R.
Twins nursed by she-wolf and later adopted by a shepherd
Twins claim hilltops and found a city
They soon quarrel and Romulus kills Remus
Romulus’ hill, the Palintine becomes center of new city, named after him
Romulus lifted to heaven during a thunderstorm
When he returns he states: Rome will be capital of the world, let Romans be soldiers, no power on Earth can stand against Roman arms

7. Three Peoples That Make Rome
Greeks
Etruscans
Latins

8. Greeks
Colonies in southern Italy and Sicily and Corsica founded during great colonizing movement of 8th – 6th centuries BCE.
Introduction of Polis into Italy
Southern Italy known as Magna Graecia “Greater Greece”
Romans gave Latin names to many Greek gods

9. Etruscans Etruscan league of 12 cities (12 is sacred number)
1st monarchy, then oligarchy in most cities
Wealth based on metal working (iron and bronze) and trade with Greeks, Egypt, Levant and Carthage
Developed writing system from Greek alphabet
Developed architecture which influenced Roman building
Several early kings of Rome were Etruscan
Divination influenced Romans. Auspices- watching flights of birds or examining animal organs

10. Latins Indo-Europeans Pastoralists Arrived in Italy c. 1000BCE
Founded a number of cities in Latium, Rome would eventually become the dominant one (geography)
Similar culture and language
Similar religion centered on worship of Jupiter

11. Samnites Lived in mountains near Latium Influenced by Greeks
Fought a series of wars with Rome
Forced Romans to adopt hoplite warfare to mountainous terrain

12. Early Republic Overthrow of monarchy
Last prince of Rome attacked a woman and Roman people overthrew his father
Declared Rome would never again be ruled by a king
Anyone trying to be king could be put to death without trial
509BCE – Rome becomes a republic

13. Republic Res publica- affairs of the people Not a democracy
Struggle for power between social groups (Patricians and Plebs)

14. Roman Society Values- “ways of the fathers”
Discipline, strength, loyalty
Pater familias- oldest male, “father of the family”
Patricians- “upper class”
Plebians- “lower class”

15. Struggle of the Orders Begins early 5th century BCE
Lasts over 200 years until Plebs gain objectives
Between plebs and patricians

16. Plebs: Four Main Groups
Urban artisans
Free peasants
Wealthy traders
Poor immigrants

17. Secessio Plebs needed political weapon
Secession- leaving Rome as a group
Similar to a labor strike
1st secessio in 494 BCE- is successful for plebs
Plebs get own magistrates (formerly only patricians) called Tribunes
Magistrates had executive powers of a king: command of army, administration of the law, religious functions
Plebs also got “Consilium Plebus”- Assembly of the People
Plebs are now organized as a state within a state

18. Tribunes
Could veto any act of any magistrate , or laws or resolutions of the Senate which were contrary to the interests of the Plebs or any individual Plebian.
Right to do business with the Assembly
Sacrosant- sacred, couldn’t be killed with out religious pollution
Not as powerful as magistrates
Couldn’t possess power of command (imperium)
One Tribune could veto the acts of another Tribune

19. The Twelve Tables The next great victory of the Plebs
Written code of law
Mid 5th century BCE
Compiled through a comparative legal study. Visited Athens and Greek Polies of Magna Graecia

20. Roman vs. Greek Moves Towards Democratic Government
Greek- violent, tyrants
Greek- outside the law
Greeks- individuals (tyrants, Solon)supported by the masses
Rome- peaceful, secessio
Rome- through the law
Rome- as a group (plebs)

21. Roman View of Balanced Government