Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic and Empire

1. Unit 3Ancient Rome Part I: The Romans Create a Republic

2. History • Legend of Romulus and Remus (753 B.C.) • Influenced by Greeks and Etruscans • Greek gods, agriculture • Etruscan writing, architecture

3. Last Roman king kicked out 509 BC • Romans establish a REPUBLIC – A FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN WHICH POWER RESTS WITH CITIZENS WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE TO SELECT THEIR LEADERS

4. Government • People in Rome are either: PLEBEIANS – COMMON FARMERS, ARTISANS, AND MERCHANTS or PATRICIANS – WEALTHY LANDOWNERS

5. Only free male citizens vote • Most people/voters are plebeians • Plebeians are not allowed to hold high government positions

6. Plebeians were not treated fairly • Tribunes were elected to protect the rights of plebeians • In 451 BC, Tribunes create the 12 TABLES • A written code of laws that established the idea that all free citizens have a right to protection under laws

9. Government Branches • Rome’s government was a mix of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy • Two Consuls (executive) led the army and government • SENATE (legislative) – 300 PEOPLE WHO WERE THE GOVERNING BODY • Praetors (judicial) were judges

10. In times of crisis, the Republic could appoint a DICTATOR – A LEADER WHO HAD ABSOLUTE POWER TO MAKE LAWS AND COMMAND THE ARMY • They had to be chosen by consuls and senate • They could only rule for 6 months • Look at chart on page 143

11. Military • All male landowners had to serve • Roman soldiers were grouped into LEGIONS – LARGE MILITARY UNITS • Military was very important to Rome’s rise

12. Rome Expands • War with Carthage over access to the Mediterranean • Rome and Carthage fought the Punic Wars from 264 to 146 B.C. • 1st war goes to Rome • 2nd war sees HANNIBAL – A CARTHAGINIAN GENERAL vs. SCIPIO – A ROMAN GENERAL

14. Hannibal fought hard for about 15 years, but was finally defeated • 3rd War saw Carthage completely destroyed

15. Unit 3 Ancient Rome Part II: Changes in the Roman Empire

16. Problems Arise • Gap between the rich and poor grows • Homeless • Unemployed • Poor (1/4) • Slaves (1/3 of pop.)

17. Rome falls into a CIVIL WAR - CONFLICT BETWEEN GROUPS WITHIN THE SAME COUNTRY

18. 1st Punic War • War started in 264 B.C. • 3 Wars fought between 264 and 146 B.C. • 1st war was for control of Sicily, and lasted 23 years (264-241 B.C.) • Rome defeated Carthage in 1st Punic War • 2nd Punic War begins in 218 B.C. • 29-year-old Carthaginian general named Hannibal led the army against Rome

19. 2nd Punic War • Hannibal had an army of 50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry, and 60 elephants • To surprise the Romans, he led his army around Italy and came down through the Alps • For a decade he terrorized Italy • Won important battle of Cannae in 216 B.C. • Never captured Rome

20. Julius Caesar • ROMAN GENERAL WHO BECAME DICTATOR IN 46 BC • Becomes consul in 59 BC • Spends next 10 years building up troops/support across Empire • Returns to Rome in 46 BC • Appointed dictator

21. Caesar was an ABSOLUTE RULER – ONE WHO HAS TOTAL POWER • Made many important changes for poor • People love him; senators hate him • “Ides of March” • March 15, 44 BC • Stabbed to death in senate chamber by senators

23. 3rd Punic War • 149-146 B.C. • Carthage no longer a real threat to Rome • Senator Cato ended all his speeches with “Carthage must be destroyed” • 149 B.C. Rome laid siege to Carthage • 146 B.C. Carthage was set afire and the remaining 50,000 citizens sold into slavery

24. The Republic falls, The Empire Begins • Mark Antony and AUGUSTUS – CAESAR’S NEPHEW WHO BECAME A GREAT EMPEROR quickly take control • Antony and Augustus become rivals • Antony defeated at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC

25. Augustus becomes emperor • His rule starts the PAX ROMANA – PERIOD OF ROMAN PEACE AND PROSPERITY FROM 27 BC TO 180 AD

26. The Roman Empire • 3 million square miles • 70 million people • 1 million in Rome itself • 90% of people farm • Massive trade network using roads

27. “Bread and Circuses” • Huge gaps between rich and poor continue to grow • Government provides free entertainment to distract the poor from their problems • GLADIATORS – PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS –fought to the death to entertain the masses.

28. Unit 3: Ancient Rome Factors in the Decline of Rome

29. Political • Political office seen as burden, not reward • Military interference in politics • Civil war and unrest • Division of empire by DIOCLETIAN – THE ROMAN EMPEROR WHO SPLIT ROME EAST AND WEST IN LATE 200s • Moving of capital to Byzantium (renamed CONSTANTINOPLE – THE NEW CAPITAL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE – 330 AD)

30. Social • Decline in interest in public affairs • Low confidence in empire • Disloyalty, lack of patriotism, corruption • Contrast between rich and poor

31. Economic • Poor harvests • Disruption of trade • No more war plunder • Gold and silver drain • INFLATION - A RISE IN THE PRICE OF GOODS, COUPLED WITH A DECLINE IN THE VALUE OF MONEY

32. Economic Cont. • High taxes • Widening gap between rich and poor, especially in the West.

33. Military • Threat from northern European tribes • Low funds for defense • Problems recruiting Roman soldiers; recruiting of MERCENARIES – FOREIGN SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT FOR MONEY

34. Military Cont. • Decline of patriotism and loyalty among soldiers

35. Immediate Cause • Invasion of and destruction of Rome by ‘barbarians’