Chapter 6 the roman republic

The Roman Republic

Chapter 6, Section 1

Italian Peninsula

Greeks first came to Italy in 900 BC

Greeks liked Italy’s central location and rich, Mediterranean farmland

Italy is separated from Europe by the Alps in the North

Etruscans

Etruscans dominated the Italian Peninsula from 900-500 BC

Influenced by the Greeks; used their alphabet

Gained control of Rome in 625 BC and taught the Romans their culture and technology

Early Rome

Rome was founded by Romulus in 753, after he killed his brother Remus, according to legend

Consisted of 7 hills on the Latium plain

The Etruscans drained the marshes & built roads & the Forum

The Republic

Society consisted of patricians and plebians

Patricians set up a gov’t with executive and legislative branches

Executive- 2 consuls w/ veto powerLegislative-Senate w/ 300 patricians

Plebeians Gain Power

Demanded representation in gov’tTribunes gained veto power,

Assembly of Tribes gained law making power

Improved social standingPreviously unwritten laws were

codified on the 12 Tables

Roman Religion

Romans worshipped gods borrowed from the Greeks but given Roman names

They also kept some of the nature spirits they worshipped during Etruscan rule

Roman Legions

The Republic faced many attacks from neighbors

All Roman men were required to join army

Divided soldiers into smaller “legions” to make them more mobile

Very disciplined and well-trained

Roman Legions

As army conquered foes, they had to pledge allegiance to Rome

Permanent settlements were developed and connected by roads

Carthage

Carthaginians in N. Africa were also expanding

Conflict arose over the Sicily1st Punic war lasted from 264-241

with the Romans winning and forcing the Carthaginians to pay a large indemnity

2nd Punic War

20 years later, Hannibal led 40,000 troops through Gaul and over the Alps (½ are killed)

Hannibal terrorized Romans, nearly destroying army at Cannae

Scipio attacked Carthage, forcing Hannibal to return and surrender

Problems in the Republic

As Rome expanded, conflict arose from provinces paying tribute

Romans seized land and created latifundia, plantations

Roman legions were stationed throughout empire to quell revolts

Feuds

Many nobles used the large population of unemployed to form their own militaries

These armies provided many nobles with a lot of power

Julius Caesar

In 60 BC Caesar became consul with the help of Pompey and Crassus-Triumvirate

Used military accomplishments in Gaul and Germanic lands to increase his popularity

Julius Caesar

Pompey ordered Caesar to give up his army

Instead, Caesar marched into Rome and seized power

In 45 BC, Caesar declared himself dictator for life

Caesar in Power

Expanded representation in the Senate

Provided land for landless poorDeveloped the modern calendar Julius Caesar was killed on March

15, 44 BC by Senators who believed he had grown too strong

End of the Republic

With Caesar’s death, Octavian and Antony formed a new triumvirate

Divided the Republic up among themselves

Octavian defeated Antony in 31 BC at Actium becoming the undisputed ruler of Rome

The Roman Empire


Augustus- “A city of brick to one of marble.”

Changed name from OctavianRebuilt RomeReformed tax system and

eliminated corruptionBuilt new roads and public buildingsPax Romana for 200 years

Julio-Claudian Emperors

The 4 successors to AugustusTiberius was constantly paranoidCaligula was a sociopath and was

killed by Praetorian GuardClaudius followed but was killed by his

wifeNero was insane and nearly destroyed

Rome with his vanity and indulgence

The Good Emperors

Under Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius Rome reached its peak

Trajan stretched Rome to its largest size

Hadrian built a wall in Britain

Roman Rule

Made gov’t more efficient; chose qualified leaders for provinces

Developed ideas such as “innocent until guilty” which have formed the basis for western & Christian law

Downsized the army too much, making it vulnerable to attack

Pax Romana

Goods from all over the world poured into Rome

Family became less important and divorces more common

Middle class grew largerSociety became less stable

Engineering and Entertainment

Roads and aqueducts were the life-blood of Rome

Circus Maximus, Colosseum, & public baths kept the people happy

Innovations like concrete and the arch helped create structures like the Pantheon

Education, Science, & Literature

Borrowed much from other culturesMost boys were educated, the

wealthy at academiesLatin was the common language

and forms the basis for today’s Romance languages

Rise of Christianity


Judaism in the Empire

As Rome secured Judea under Augustus, many Jews believed a messiah would arrive to save them

Jews revolted in 66 AD but were defeated in 70 AD and their temple was destroyed

Revolted again in 132 AD

Judaism in the Empire

As Rome secured Judea under Augustus, many Jews believed a messiah would arrive to save them

Jews revolted in 66 AD but were defeated in 70 AD and their temple was destroyed

Revolted again in 132 AD

Jesus of Nazareth

A Jew who proclaimed that God’s rule was close at hand preached acts of kindness

Disciples believed he was messiahControversy in the Jewish

community concerned Romans so they crucified Jesus

Spread and Persecution of Christianity

Disciples claimed Jesus had risen from the dead and was the messiah

Converts like Paul spread religion throughout Mediterranean

Peter brought Christianity to RomeMany believers were martyred by

the Romans

The Early Church

According to legend, Constantine accepted Christianity in 312 after a battle

Said Romans could worship how they pleased

Theodosius made Christianity Rome’s official religion in 392

The Early Church

Church was set up in a hierarchy by the 400’s and the bishop of Rome had taken a leadership role as the pope

Latin churches became the Roman Catholic while Greek-influenced churches became Eastern Orthodox

Roman Decline


Empire’s Problem

After Marcus Aurelius, there were 28 emperors in 90 years

Instability opened Rome up to attacks from “Barbarians”

Warfare led to poor crops, inflation, and extreme financial hardship for the empire

An Empire Divided

The west part of the Roman Empire was being constantly attacked

Diocletian and Constantine tried to implement reforms to slow economic decline unsuccessfully

Theodosius decreed that the empire should be split in 395

Reasons Barbarians Attacked

Sought warmer, southern climateWanted Rome’s wealthInability of military to contain

Visigoths led to further uprisings from Franks, Vandals, Goths, Huns and others

Fall of Western Empire

Vandals destroyed Rome in 455Franks and Goths divided GaulIn 476, Odoacer defeated the last

Roman EmperorThis German general accepted

Latin culture and Christianity