The Origins of the Roman Republic

1. The Origins of the Roman Republic

2. Origins of Rome “Not without reason did gods and men choose this spot for the site of our city—the hills, the river to bring us produce from the inland regions and sea-borne commerce from abroad, the sea itself, near enough for convenience yet not so near as to bring danger from foreign fleets, our situation in the very heart of Italy—all these advantages make it of all places in the world the best for a city destined to grow great.” LIVY, The Early History of Rome

4. Was this really a good site? Why? Explain. Were there any disadvantages?

5. Check for Understanding • Was this really a good site? Why? • What disadvantages existed? • Seven Hills over a Citadel….

6. Overall Timeline • Monarch: 753 B.C.E. to 509 B.C.E. • Republic 509 B.C.E. to 27 B.C.E. • Empire 27 B.C.E. to 476 C.E.

7. Ancient History & Founding • Inhabited since 1200 B.C.E. • Bronze/ Iron Age, nothing Spectacular • 3 groups battled for control of the area from 1000-500 BCE • Latins, Greeks, Etruscans • Latins built the first settlements at Rome • 750-600, Greeks established colonies along southern Italy and Sicily • Introduced Greek culture/society

8. Ancient History & Founding • Etruscans were native to northern Italy • Introduced alphabet & architecture (the arch) • Theory of the Villanovans, an Iron Age people • 12 Roman Cities • Lucumon: A council of Advisors for each city, Combined Military, Religious and Judicial Powers • Family Life • Men and Women together, tombstones with names from both parents • Religion • Polytheistic, Disiplina (disciplines, complex rules of social order • Divination • Culture: Sport, ritual and entertainment • Fine arts • Architecture, • Decline • No unifying political aspects between the cities • Rise of Carthage • Decline is gradual

9. Ancient History and Founding • 600, an unnamed Etruscan became King of Rome. • City grew by constructing temples and public squares • Roman Kings • Romulus- founder • Numa Pompilius- Wise Sage • Tullus Hostilius – Warrior King • Ancus Marcius: religious framework in war • Taruninius Princus- Administrator politician • Servins Tullius- social and political reformer • Tarqunius Superbus- Tytant • 509, Romans overthrew the monarchy --- established a republic

10. Early Roman Social Institutions • Focus on Supremacy of Family and Clan • Family • Patriarchy- Pater Familias • Patricians – Tension between kings and patrician leaders • Patronage • Clans and tribes • Religion • Family, worship of an overall state religion • Added Social Intuitions • Supremacy of Rome • Clan Power Subordinate to power of the Individual • Census • Military organization • Political Hierarchy • King • Senate • Centuriate Assembly • Family responsibilities against public responsibilities

11. The Early Roman Republic • Switch from Kingship to Republic • Show tension between the wealthy families and the kings who made concessions to the lower classes for a power base. • Tension highlighted because of economic depression, naval losses to Greeks and Carthaginians • A form of government in which power rests with the citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders. Free-born male citizens may vote.

12. Plebeians & Patricians • 2 groups struggled for power • Patricians – wealthy landowners who held most of the power • Plebeians – common farmers, artisans, and merchants • majority of population. • Not permitted to have top government jobs.

14. Plebeians & Patricians, cont. • Plebeians • created own assembly & elected tribunes to protect their rights. • fought for the creation of a written law code to protect people.

15. Balanced Government • 2 officials called Consuls. • Commanded army when outside the city walls • directed the government when inside the walls • 1-year terms. • Could not re-elected for 10 years. • One consul could veto another

16. Balanced Government • Senate • Aristocratic branch • 300 members chosen from upper class • Influence on foreign & domestic policy • More democratic side of the government • Life-long terms

17. Balanced Government • Tribal Assembly • Plebeian branch based on location of where people lived. • Life-long terms

18. Comparing Republican Governments – What direct influences do you see on the government of the US?

19. Roman Republic Military • Military • All landowners required to serve • Public office seekers needed 10 years of military service to be elected • Units were called legions (5,000 infantry, 500 cavalry)

20. Expansion & Collapse • Rome gained control over W. Mediterranean after defeating Carthage in the Punic Wars • 2 Factors led to the decline of the Roman Republic • Rich-Poor Gap • Military Turmoil

22. Rich-Poor Gap • Slaves – 30-35% of Rome’s Population • Small farmers couldn’t compete w/large estates • Tribal Assembly worked to limit the size of estates by donating land to poor • Wealthy Senators felt threatened, led to debates & violence within government

24. Check for Understanding • How would limiting the size of estates help the poor? • Small landowners now had a better chance of success because the land is not taken up by the estates, it kept anyone from getting too big.

25. Military Turmoil • As government argued, generals began taking power for themselves • Paid men to fight, less loyalty to Rome • Julius Caesar, a popular general, elected consul in 59 BCE • Served 1 year, then set out to conquer Gaul (France) over 10 years • Very popular, Senate was jealous

27. Check for Understanding • What do you suppose threatened Caesar’s rivals more, his power or his popularity? Why?

28. Julius Caesar • Became governor of Gaul • Money, bought him power and respect • 50 B.C. had made some powerful enemies, with life under threat, he seized Rome • Rule was brief, after two years he was murdered, • Augustus (Caesar’s nephew and heir) and Marc Antony ruled in tandem • Marc Antony ruled Egypt, connected with Cleopatra, • Augustus attacked, in the Battle of Actium, Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide • Augustus, in 31 B.C.E. became the first emperor.