1. Governing Rome
Chapter 11.2

2. Tennessee Social Studies
6.59 On a historical map, identify ancient Rome and trace the extent of the Roman Empire to 500 AD
6.62 Describe the government of the Roman Republic and its contribution to the development of democratic principles, including but not limited to rule of law

3. Roman social class Patricians Plebeians Ruling class
Wealthy landowners
Farmers, artisans, and merchants
Often lacked rights
Could not hold public office
Both had to pay taxes and serve in the army

4. Government of the Republic
Roman Republic was organized into 3 branches:
1. Made laws
2. Ran daily affairs of government
3. Judges
Checks and balances

5. Consuls headed the government, also served as army leaders
Consul could serve 1 year
Could veto each other
Praetors interpreted the law and served as judges, also led army

6. Senate was the legislature
Group of 300 men
Served for life
Advised the consuls
Assembly of Centuries elected consuls and praetors

7. Conflict Between Classes
Plebeians became frustrated because they no power in government.
494 BC plebs went on strike, refused to fight in army, and left Rome
Patricians knew they could not survive without the plebs.
Let the plebs have representation – The Council of the Plebs
Plebs elected tribunes

8. More power for the Plebs
Tribunes could veto
Plebs were allowed to become consuls
Plebs could even marry patricians
287 BC Council of Plebs could pass laws

9. Cincinnatus and Civic Duty
Romans created the office of dictator
The dictator would rule during crisis and then regular power would resume
Cincinnatus had been a consul.
458 BC the Senate appointed him as dictator to handle the threat of an enemy army.
For 2 weeks Cincinnatus led the army, defeated the enemy, and then went back to farming.

10. Civic Duty
Civic duty (idea that citizens have a responsibility to help their country)
George Washington was inspired by Cincinnatus.

11. Rome’s System of Law
Rome’s laws were not written down in the beginning
Plebeians wanted the laws written down for all to see.
451 BC - Twelve Tables
Carved on bronze tablets and placed in the Forum
Foundation for law, all free citizens had the right to be treated equally

13. Roman Justice
Roman law influenced many other civilizations including the United States
Assume a person is innocent until proven guilty
Rule of law – everyone treated the same, guiding principle of our legal system

14. The Punic Wars
Carthage, located along the north African coast, became powerful through trade.
Originally been a Phoenician trading colony
Became Rome’s bitter enemy
264 BC a series of war between the two began that would last over a century

16. First Punic War
Carthage had colonies on the island of Sicily. Rome decided it wanted the island for itself.
Carthage had a strong navy.
Rome quickly built a navy of its own.
- improved the ships by adding moveable bridge allowing them to board Carthage’s ships
After more than 2 decades of fighting, Rome defeated Carthage and took control of Sicily

18. Second Punic War
Carthage needed more land and resources after losing Sicily to Rome.
Carthage decided to take over Spain.
Rome encouraged Spain to fight back.
In response, Carthage sent Hannibal to attack Rome in 218 BC.
Hannibal had a large army of 46,000 men and 37 elephants.
Carthage used the elephants to cross the Alps.
Bitter cold and mountain tribes killed most of the men and elephants.
216 BC Hannibal was able to defeat the Romans at the Battle of Cannae.

19. Second and Third Punic War
Rome continued to fight back.
206 BC the Roman general Scipio took Spain and attacked the city of Carthage.
Hannibal was forced to return home to protect his people.
202 BC, Rome once again is victorious at the Battle of Zama.
Carthage had to pay a huge fine and give up its navy.
Carthage remained a threat, so finally in 146 BC Rome destroyed it.