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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..
Romulus and Remeus 753 BC Romulus built wall on a hill Remeus built the city first Livy, “Remus by way of jeering at his brother jumped over the half built walls of the new settlement whereupon Romulus killed him in a fit of rage, adding the threat , “So shall perish whoever else shall overleap my embattlements.” Latins Indo-European speaking people from Central Europe Attracted by fertile soil and climate Crossed the Alps and conquered the natives set up Rome overlooking the Tiber. Founding of Rome
Latin Life • Farmed and raised cattle • Patriarchal families • 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.
Ancient Roman Society (Early Republic) Patricians (Aristocrats) • Plebeians • Farmers • Merchants • Artisans Freedmen • Slaves • City Slaves • Household Slaves
Etruscan Accomplishments • Metal weapons • New military tactics • Drained Marshes • Built the Forum • Elevated Rome to one of the richest cities in Italy
Roman Society under the Estruscans • Two major classes in Etruscan society • 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 not vote or hold public office but were taxed heavily
Rise of Rome • In 510 BC the Latins pushed the Etruscans out of Rome. • All the Etruscan cities near Rome were conquered one by one • The northern Etruscan cities surrendered without a fight • By 1st century BC the Etruscans were given Latin citizenship
The Early Republic • An aristocracy • wealthy patricians control the senate • plebeians largely excluded from government • Plebeians demand reforms • Struggle of Orders
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
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 • 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 • Originally a Phoenician (Punic) colony • Carthaginians attacked Roman trading vessels • Roman merchants demanded protection
First Punic War (264-246 BC) • Fought on Sicily • Rome annexed Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia • Rome used citizen soldiers, Carthage used mercenaries • Which type of soldier tends to be more loyal?
Second Punic War (218-201 BC) • Carthaginian General Hannibal leads an army from Spain across the Alps and into Italy: Stopped north of Rome • Roman fleet headed for Carthage; Hannibal called back to defend the homeland • Battle of Zama-Roman General Scipio defeated Hannibal near Carthage • Rome annexed Carthage’s Spanish provinces
Third Punic War (149-146) • Cato, A Roman senator, ended all of his speeches with “Carthage must be destroyed” • In 146 BC Roman forces burned and destroyed Carthage and annexed the territory. • By 30 BC Rome managed to conquer the entire Mediterranean region including Macedonia, Greece, and Egypt
Roman Expansion(133 BC - 27 BC) • Conquered territories became known asProvinces • Provinces were ruled by governors known asProconsulswho were appointed by the Senate and had great power • Tax collectors known asPublicanscollected heavy taxes from provinces. They collected more than required and kept the excess. Thiscorrupt practice was known asTax Farming
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.
Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion Civil War - Marius vs. Sulla • In 105 BC, a commander named Marius saved Rome from barbarian invasions. He was elected consul five straight years and continued to build a large army • In 88 BC, a rival named Sulla went to war against Marius in and around Rome • Thousands of Romans died • In 82 BC, Sulla defeated Marius and became a dictator. He retired in 79 BC • Slave revolts led by Spartacus broke out from 73-71 BC. Military leaders struggled for power.
