Sweet Rome (in) Italia

1. Sweet Rome (in) Italia

2. Ancestors • In 800 B.C., the Latins moved into Italy • Settled along Tiber River • Legend says that twins, Romulus and Remus, founded Rome • Said to be offspring of Latin woman and Roman god Mars • Romans thought highly of themselves (Divine origins)

3. Sharing the territory • The Romans shared the Italian peninsula with many people • Etruscans • Greeks • Carthaginians • Romans adopted many aspects of Greek and Etruscan culture, including gods, architecture, and engineering

4. Roman State • Romans established their own state in 509 B.C. • Form of government called “res publica”, or “that which belongs to the people” • Now called a republic, or a form of government in which the people choose officials • This would prevent anyone from gaining too much power

5. Senate • 300 members • Served for life • Made up originally of just patricians • Patrician- Member of landholding upper class

6. Consuls • 2 at a time • Appointed by Senate • Could only serve one term • Expected to approve each other’s decisions • Supervised government, controlled army • Provided system of checks

7. Dictator • Dictator- ruler who was complete control over government • Senate could appoint a dictator • Done in times of war • Had to give up power after 6 months • Cincinnatus- Gained power, organized army, repelled invasion, attended victory celebrations, and went home • -in 15 days

8. Plebeians • Farmers, merchants, artisans • Eventually allowed to elect own officials, called tribunes • Tribunes could veto laws that were harmful to plebeians • Veto- to block a law

9. Plebeians • Eventually got laws written on 12 stone tablets • “The Laws of the Twelve Tablets” • Displayed were ordinary people could see them • People now able understand laws and appeal rulings by judges • By 360’s B.C., plebeians allowed to serve in important positions, Senate

10. Influence • Years later, Roman ideas such as the senate, veto power, and checks on the government found their way into the US Constitution

11. Roman family • Women could own property, ran businesses, took part in public life • However, the male had complete authority in the home • All children learned to read and write • Upper-class children had hired private tutors

12. Religion • Romans were very devoted to their gods and goddesses, many of whom came from Greek mythology • Zeus- Jupiter • Hera- Juno • Poseidon - Neptune • Ares - Mars

13. Republic grows • Army, made of legions, is successful because of solider loyalty • Paid small stipend • Legion- military unit, in Rome consisting of 5000 soldiers • Success was rewarded with gifts, disloyalty could result in death

14. Conquered Lands • Rome kept a network of roads to all of its conquered lands • Conquered peoples had to give tax money and soldiers to Rome • Rome allowed them to keep local government, money, customs • To some, Rome offered gift of full or partial citizenship