Rise of the Roman Republic. I. Geography of Italian Peninsula Mountainous Alps (north) Apennines (backbone) East = poor West = attractive Proximity.
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I. Geography of Italian Peninsula
Mountainous Alps (north) Apennines (backbone)
East = poor West = attractive
Proximity to Mediterranean Sea Easy access MILITARY!!! Fertile land, great harbors!!!
II. Early History of Rome
Legend of Romulus & Remus 1200 BCE: Indo-Euros. invaded peninsula 1000 BCE: Latins founded settlements on
7 Hills (Palatine Hill)Overlooked Tiber RiverBecame Rome
Strategic location Farming-based society
A. The Etruscans
8th cent. BCE: from Anatolia Lived north of Tiber River
6th cent. = moved south, conquered Rome
Set up monarchy
Contributed to Roman civ. Arch Drained swamps
Forum Phoenician alphabet
Roman Forum
Public meeting place and the heart of Public meeting place and the heart of Roman political lifeRoman political life
B. The Greek Influence
750-500 BCE: Greek colonization Southern Italian city-states
Syracuse & Naples Spread Greek culture into Italy!
Art, Mythology, & Religion
III. Establishing the Republic
509 BCE: overthrow of Etruscan monarchyTarquin the Proud (tyrant)
Est. a republic (lasted almost 500 yrs.)res publica = “public affairs”
A. Roman Govt.
3 Groups:The Senate (aristocratic)Popular Assemblies (democratic)The Magistrates/Consuls (monarchy)
1. The Senate (aristocratic)
Most important & powerful of 3 bodies 300 members (upper class) Senate seats for life (continuity) Controlled foreign policy & public funds Elected dictator (for times of crisis)
Absolute power (make laws & command army)
2. Popular Assemblies (demo.)
Citizens voted on laws & elected officials Had 10 tribunes – protected interests of
plebeians—could veto Senate
3. The Magistrates (monarchy)
2 consuls – 1 yr. terms (no reelection for 10) Commanded army & directed govt. Each could veto the other
Checks & balances
B. Social Structure
Patriciansconsuls, senators, assembly 10% of pop.
Plebeians farmers, merchants, laborers, artisansRoman laws were unwritten
C. Plebeian Struggle of Reform
Advantage of Plebeians? Will not fight w/out reforms!! 494 BCE: Council of Plebeians (Tribal
Assembly) Elected 10 tribunes
Could veto Senate or consuls
451 BCE: Twelve Tables Advertised Roman lawPosted in Forum Est. that ALL free citizens had protection of
the law
Plebeians did not change govt. much Patricians exercised most powerRoman politics = undemocratic “the people were not to govern, but to be
governed” Senate ruled w/great authority
B. Wise Policies
Romans shared citizenship w/conquered peoples = ensured loyalty
Made alliances w/distant cities Remained independentProvided military assistance to Rome
C. Religion
Spirits inhabit everything Identified Roman gods w/Greek gods
Zeus = JupiterHera = JunoPoseidon = NeptuneAphrodite = VenusHades = Pluto
V. Rome vs. Carthage
Carthage = powerful city on N. Af. coastEmpire spanned the western Med.
Both were expansionistic Carthage feared Rome would take Sicily Rome feared Carthage would stand in way
Fought 3 wars (264-146 BCE) Punic Wars
A. First Punic War (264 BCE)
Rome built up navyUsed land tactics at sea
241: Rome prevailed Indemnity (war reparations)
Won numerous victories (Romans retreated) Had no siege equipment to sack cities Rome’s allies remained loyal Scipio
Invaded Carthage Hannibal went home
202 BCE: Battle of Zama – defeat of Hannibal Ensured supremacy of Greco-Roman civ.
C. Third Punic War
Lasting hatred towards Carthage 149 BCE: declare war on Carthage!!! 146 BCE: Carthage fell, was burned,
inhabitants enslaved
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