Roman Republic
Geography Italian peninsula is shaped like a
boot and extends into the Mediterranean, which became a highway for trade and conquest.
At the top of the boot are the Alps, which block cold weather.
The Po and Tiber Rivers provide water for farming.
The Apennines Mountains extend down the length of the peninsula, but are not a rugged barrier.
Fertile plains, south of the Alps and west of the Apennines, provided for good farming.
Natural harbors and long rivers facilitated trade.
Easier to unify than Greece.
Two Social Classes patricians –
members of the landholding upper class
plebians – farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders who made up the bulk of the Roman population - had little influence in government
Political Aspects 500 BCE - abandoned
monarchy and set up a republic – govt. where officials are chosen by the people
senate - 300 patricians - served for life and ran the govt.
two consuls - elected for 1-year term by senate to supervise the govt. and command the armies, could veto (block) each other’s decisions
dictator - chosen during war, a ruler with complete control over the govt. with emergency powers for six months
plebians wanted equal rights and representation
450 BCE - Laws of the Twelve Tables
gradual reforms were enacted
Military Aspects Brave and loyal soldiers,
superior military organization, and shrewd senatorial decisions led to military greatness.
Unpaid citizen soldiers evolved into army of paid professionals.
Conquered people had to acknowledge Roman leadership, pay taxes, and supply soldiers. They could keep their own customs, religion, money, and local government. Some gained citizenship.
Three Punic Wars 264-146 BCE : Rome
vs. Carthage Phoenician trading
empire in present day Tunisia (North Africa).
Fought over control of the western Mediterranean.
Carthage was ultimately destroyed.
Final Conquest gained control of
Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt
control of trade routes brought wealth from loot, taxes, and commerce
Social Deterioration wealthy landowners
used slave labor, which hurt small farmers who were forced to sell their land and move to Rome
gap between rich and poor widened - political corruption increased
angry mobs rioted - rival generals competed for power
100 years of civil wars and slave uprisings
Julius Caesar general whose
accomplishments and popularity intimidated the Senate
became dictator for life
enacted reforms to aid the lower class
his enemies had him stabbed to death
Civil War Mark Antony and Octavian
defeated the leaders of the conspiracy and shared rule of Roman world
Octavian defeated Mark Antony and the senate proclaimed him Augustus - the Exalted One
Augustus had absolute power during his rule from and he chose his successor
27 BCE marked the end of the Roman Republic and beginning of the Roman Empire
Cleopatra Connection Cleopatra VII was at war
with her brother/husband Ptolemy XIII.
She allied with Julius Caesar who was in Egypt.
She bore him a son and returned to Rome with him.
After Caesar’s assassination, she hooked up with Mark Antony, who was ruling the eastern part of the Roman world from Alexandria.
Fearful of their power, Octavian declared war against Egypt and defeated Mark Antony.
Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide.