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The Roman Republic. Geography. Italian Peninsula Along the Tiber River Mountains to the North Rocky Coastlines hindered trade Shallow Rivers Center of trade for Three Continents. Tiber River. Founding of Rome. The Legend of Romulus & Remus
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Geography • Italian Peninsula • Along the Tiber River • Mountains to the North • Rocky Coastlines hindered trade • Shallow Rivers • Center of trade for Three Continents
The Legend of Romulus & Remus According to tradition, Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC. They were twin brothers, sons of a human mother and the god of war, Mars. After their birth, the king ordered them killed. They were placed in a basket and put into the Tiber River - left to die from exposure in the outdoors. But their basket washed up on the river bank where they were found by a female wolf. The wolf nursed the hungry babies and cared for them until they were found by a shepherd. The shepherd and his wife raised the babies as their own. Romulus and Remus grew up and helped overthrow the king who had ordered their death. They wanted to build their own city along the Tiber River where their basket had washed ashore. They disagreed about where it should be, and Romulus killed Remus during their quarrels. Romulus built the city of Rome on one of the seven hills along the Tiber – the Palatine hill – and lived a long life as king of Rome..
Founding of Rome Latins built original settlement atop one of its 7 rolling hills. Indo-European speaking people from Central Europe They were attracted by the fertile soil and climate Crossed the Alps and conquered the natives set up Rome overlooking the Tiber.
Latin Life • Farmed and raised cattle • Patriarchal families (run by fathers) • Worshipped tribal gods: Polytheistic • Defended Rome against attacks
Etruscans • Etruscans were an Eastern European nomadic tribe that settled on the Italian Peninsula • 750 BC Etruscans gained control Rome • Tarquins, a wealthy Etruscan family, provided kings for Rome. • The last King was Tarquin the Proud who was a harsh tyrant and was driven out of power. • Romans decided they would never again be ruled by a king and set up a republic.
Etruscan Accomplishments • Metal weapons • New military tactics • Drained Marshes • Built the Forum • Elevated Rome to one of the richest cities in Italy
Rome as a republic • A republic is a form of government in which power rests with the citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders. • In Rome different groups struggled for power. 2 main groups were the patricians and plebeians.
Ancient Roman Society (Early Republic) Patricians (Aristocrats) • Plebeians • Farmers • Merchants • Artisans Freedmen • Slaves • City Slaves • Household Slaves
Early Roman Republic • Two major classes • Patricians-new wealthy aristocratic class, the nobility • Plebeians-Included wealthy non-aristocratic landowners, merchants, shop keepers, small farmers, and laborers
Rights • Patricians had the right to vote, pay taxes, and hold public office • Plebeians could vote but could not hold public office but were taxed heavily. After a lot of struggle on the plebeians part, they were eventually allowed to form their own assembly to protect their rights. • These elected officials were called tribunes
The Republic becomes more Democratic • 5th-3rd Centuries BC • plebeians gain considerable political power • codification of the Twelve Tables • Plebeians threaten to walk out of the city • patricians and plebeians willingly compromised for the good of the Republic
Twelve tables– this was an important victory for the plebeians . It was the written law and ensured that patrician officials could not just change the laws to suit themselves anymore. They were written on 12 stone tablets and hung in the Roman Forum.
ROMAN GOVERNMENT (The Republic) Legislative Branch Senate Assembly of Centuries Assembly of Tribes • Made up by Plebeians • Elected 10 Tribunes who had veto power over Senate & magistrates • 300 members • Most powerful branch • Controlled public funds • Made Political Appointments • Declared War & Peace • Elected Magistrates Executive Branch (Magistrates) 2 Consuls 2 Censors Dictator • Elected to 1 year terms • Commanded Military • Presided over Senate • Ran Daily Government • Could Veto each other • Elected only during crisis • Absolute Power • Served 6 month terms • Conducted Census • Assessed Taxes • Supervised Morals Judicial Branch Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetors created Roman law through court decisions
ROMAN GOVERNMENT (The Republic) Legislative Branch Senate Assembly of Tribes • 300 members • Most powerful branch • Controlled public funds • Made Political Appointments • Made up by Plebeians • Elected 10 Tribunes who had veto power over Senate and Magistrates Assembly of Centuries • Declared War & Peace • Elected Magistrates
ROMAN GOVERNMENT (The Republic) Executive Branch (Magistrates) 2 Consuls 2 Censors Dictator • Elected to 1 year terms • Commanded Military • Presided over Senate • Ran Daily Government • Could Veto each other • Conducted Census • Assessed Taxes • Supervised Morals • Elected only during crisis • Absolute Power • Served 6 month terms Judicial Branch Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetor Praetors created Roman law through court decisions
Rome gains control of Italy • In a series of wars Rome conquered the Italian peninsula (256 BCE). • Pyhrric War • Conquered Italy because of powerful armies, ability to move troops, and wise treatment of conquered peoples.
Rome Conquers the Mediterranean • Carthage • Rome’s chief rival: modern day Tunisia • Carthage was an interference to Roman trading • Originally a Phoenician (Punic) colony • Carthaginians attacked Roman trading vessels • Roman merchants demanded protection • This was the beginning of thePunic Wars.
Punic Wars 264 – 146 BCE • Rome vs. Carthage • 3 wars were fought • 1. For control of Sicily (Rome) • 2. Hannibal avenging Carthage by capturing Rome (unsuccessful). • 3. Rome attacks Carthage (Carthage becomes a Roman province) Rome’s victories gave it dominance over the western Mediterranean.
Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion Collapse of the Small Farmer • Small farmers were the backbone of Roman military • After wars of expansion they returned to desolated farms • Unable to afford repairs, they were forced to sell to large landowners
Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion Disparities of Wealth • Nobles grew wealthier by expanding their estates • They lived lives of luxury and ease • The poor became poorer • Hard work, discipline, and patriotism, began to disappear
Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion Growth of Slavery • Many conquered enemies became slaves • Nobles began using them on their estates rather than paying workers • Unemployment grew among citizens because of slavery • Slaves outnumbered citizens
Roman ExpansionProblems of Expansion Migration to the Cities • Small farmers who sold land were forced to move to cities in search of work • Cities suffered severe unemployment and overcrowding. Slums developed. • Roman government had to set up a welfare program to support the poor • Bread programs and circuses were set up to keep the poor masses happy
Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion Corruption in the Provinces • Roman officials appointed to govern the provinces were corrupted by the lure of quick wealth • Bribery and Tax Farming became common • Discontentment grew in the provinces
Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion Changes in Roman Military • With the disappearance of the small farmer, the nature of the army began to change • Individual commanders began building their own armies and paid mercenaries • Soldiers were promised a share of the booty and land in return for service • Soldiers were loyal to commanders rather than Rome
Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion Attempts at Reform • Two brothers, Tiberius andGaius Gracchus were elected as Tribunes and attempted reforms to help the poor • Tiberius was assassinated by several senators in 133 BC • Gaius continued to work on reforms and attempted to limit power of the Senate. He was killed in a riot • Rome fell into disarray. Civil War followed.
Julius Caesar • In 60 BC three men--- Julius Caesar, a popular leader; Pompey, a famous general; and Crassus, a wealthy noble formed the First Triumvirate • Caesar became a general and through his victories in Gaul gained his army’s loyalty • In 49 BC, the senate feared Caesar’s power and demanded that he disband his army
Julius Caesar Cont’ • Caesar refused to disband his army and invaded Rome • He defeated Pompey’s army and became dictator of Rome. In 46 BCE he was appointed dictator for life. • Caesar planned to establish a stable government, reform provincial rule, provide land for the poor, and beautify Rome • Unfortunately for Caesar he was assassinated in 44 BCE.
Julius Caesar began many reforms before his death: 1. Granted roman citizenship to many people in provinces. 2. Expanded the Senate (with supporters) 3. Created jobs for the poor through the creation of new public buildings 4. Increased pay for soldiers and 5. developed colonies where those who did not own land could become property owners.
Assassination of Julius Caesar What senators assassinated Julius Caesar? They were worried about his growing popularity.
Octavian VS. Antony • After Caesar’s death civil war erupted once again. The army of Brutus and Cassius was defeated by forces led by Marc Antony and Caesar’s grandnephew Octavian • Octavian and Antony then turned on one another after Antony fell in love with Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. Octavian alleged that Antony wanted to rule Rome from Egypt. • Octavian defeated Antony at he battle of Actium • Octavian became the absolute ruler of the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire Augustus (Octavian)
