Roman Republic Chapter 4
Jun 23, 2015
Roman Republic
Chapter 4
Beginnings Geography
Not a hindrance as in Greece
Land good for farming
No rugged mountains to separate people
Beginnings Early Inhabitants
Came from across Alps
Settled in N. Italy
Called “Latins”
Eventually moved southward
Settled western coast of Italy
Portions of Italy colonized by: Phoenicians
Greeks
Etruscans
Beginnings Etruscans
Came to Italy 900-800 BC
Probably from Asia Minor by sea
Became competitors with Greece in trade
Probably introduced Greek culture to Romans
Etruscans
Beginnings Founding of Rome
Beginnings Founding of Rome
Villages established near Tibet River and West Coast of Italy
7 villages allied (League of 7 Hills)
Beginning of city of Rome
Developed myths about beginnings
Twins, Romulus and Remus founded Rome 753 B.C.
Thrown out by evil uncle, found by wolve and raised them
- Digging for the city wall of Rome
- Peasants exchanging produce at border separating their lands
Early Society & Government
Basic Unit of society = FAMILY Self sufficient and self ruled
Father authority figure
Religion, discipline, power of life and death
Pride in family heritage
Loyalty Submit to Authority
Patriotism Self Control
Hard Working
Early Society & Government
Tribe
Clan
Family
Family
Clan
Family
Family
Early Society & Government
Patricians• Wealthy
landowners• Nobility based
on birth• Held high
positions in society
Plebeians• Majority of
people• Common
people• Inferior class• Tradesmen,
craftsmen, farmers
Early Society & Government
Early government = Monarchy Monarch chosen by people
Imperium – absolute authority to govern
Monarch would advise with senate
View of Early Roman Senate
Early Roman Republic 509 B.C. overthrew monarchy and
established republic
Consuls
Senate
Assemblies
Consul ONLY Patricians
Elected for 1 year terms
Took care of: Every day government affairs
Commanded army
Supreme judges
Senate Most powerful body in government
Served the interest of ALL people
300 elite people appointed for life by consuls
Took care of: Finances
Pass laws
Foreign affairs
See any
similarities?
Assemblies People could express their views
Voted legislation submitted by consul
Took care of: Declare war
Elected high ranking officials
Power to Veto
Struggles within Republic
Patricians controlled government Plebeians had no voice in government
For 200 years struggled for representation
Constant warfare with neighbors made Patricians dependent upon plebeians for army force Plebeians demanded more say in gov’t or else no more
army participation
Plebeians get their own assembly and gov’t. officials Voted resolutions plebiscites (apply only to plebeians)
Tribune – elected official who protected plebeian rights (rights of common people)
Law of 12 Tables Plebeians demanded written law
Laws written on 12 tablets and hung in Roman Forum What other civilization wrote laws on tablet?
What other civilization publicly displayed law throughout land?
Law applied equally to ALL
Boys memorized law as school work
“The women shall not tear their faces nor wail on account of the funeral.”
“Marriages should not take place between plebeians and patricians.”
“A dreadfully deformed child shall be quickly killed.”
“A child born after ten months since the father's death will not be admitted into a legal inheritance.”
“Let them keep the road in order. If they have not paved it, a man may drive his team where he likes.”
“If one is slain while committing theft by night, he is rightly slain.”
Changes in Society Plebeians’ social status gradually improved
Began to gain government positions
Some became senators
Intermarriage allowed
Tribal Assembly created 287 B.C.
Pass laws that apply to ALL people
Division between patricians and plebeians began to disappear and a new division appeared: Rich vs. Poor
Wealthy patricians and wealthy plebeians allied together and took control over government
The Mediterranean – Roman Sea
From 509 B.C. to 133 B.C. Rome grew from a small city to biggest empire in ancient world How?
First Rome became master of Italy War with neighbors
Defeated Etruscans in North
Turned towards south to fight Greeks
Seek help from Pyrrhus and his war elephants
Victory over romans but with GREAT losses
Says another such victory will cause his ruin!
By 265 BC- Rome controls all Italian Peninsula Treated all conquered people with dignity and respect
Mercy and fair
Some even granted Roman citizenship
Rome dominates Western Mediterranean
Rome dominates Western Mediterranean
First Punic War (264 B.C. – 241 B.C.) Fight over island of Sicily
Only way to win is to beat Carthage navy supremacy Built their own boats
New fighting tactics
Instead of ramming into boats
Drop plank onto enemy boat
Soldiers run over and take over
241 B.C. Carthage war weary, signs peace
treatyRome wins Sicily
Carthage has to pay war loss
Rome dominates Western Mediterranean
Second Punic War (218 B.C. – 201 B.C.) Carthage recovers from first war and spreads into
Spain
Attacks roman ally city, Sagantum
Start war
Hannibal Carthaginian Commander
Strong character and leaders
Military tactics were genius
Once dropped barrels of snakes on enemy ship
Wanted to invade Italy and capture Rome
Crossed into Italy through Alps
Never gave up fighting against Romans
Lived to be 64 years old
Died from poison in his ring
Hannibal crossing the Alps in the Second Punic War
Battle of Cannae Carthage losses- 6,000
Rome losses – 60,000
It took Rome a whole generation to recover from this loss.
Scipio Young Roman commander
Defeated Carthaginian forces in Spain
Moved on to attack Carthage, N. Africa
Hannibal called home to defend Carthage
Scipio and Romans won victory before he got home
Battle of Zama (202 B.C.)
Carthage had to give up all territory outside of N. Africa
Reduce fleet to 10 vessels
Pay Rome war damages
3rd Punic War 149 B.C. – 146 B.C.
Romans fearful and jealous of Carthage prosperity
Carthage breaks one provision of peace treaty
Rome demands they move city ten miles inland This would have hurt their trade and commerce
Carthage refuses
Fighting begins, 3 year siege
Rome takes city and destroys it
Sells inhabitants into slavery
Land becomes new roman province = Africa
Rome Dominates Eastern Mediterranean
Power struggle in Eastern Mediterranean Macedonia
Syria
Egypt
Rome provinces remain free as long as they did not rebel Pay tribute to Rome (money or grain)
Rome offered them protection and order
Conquers
Macedonia
Conquers
Syria AlliesEgypt
Time for a parade!