Founding of Roman Republic - Notes#1

Founding the Roman Founding the Roman RepublicRepublic

Rome Notes #Rome Notes #11

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Importance of GeographyImportance of Geography

Alps: Protection from the North. Alps: Protection from the North. Passages through mountains for Passages through mountains for invasion.invasion.

Seas: ports for trade, invasion by Seas: ports for trade, invasion by sea.sea.

People migrated from the North to People migrated from the North to populate Italy.populate Italy.

The Founding of RomeThe Founding of Rome

Before mid-700sbc the Latins moved into Before mid-700sbc the Latins moved into Italy. The Italy. The LatinsLatins built villages which built villages which eventually united to create Rome.eventually united to create Rome.

600s 600s Etruscan Kings Etruscan Kings from the North ruled from the North ruled Rome. Romans adopted their style of Rome. Romans adopted their style of writing. writing.

Etruscan culture greatly influenced Rome.Etruscan culture greatly influenced Rome. Jewelry, fine clothing, metal working, Jewelry, fine clothing, metal working,

pottery, wood, paved roads, drain pottery, wood, paved roads, drain marshes, sewers. marshes, sewers.

Other city-statesOther city-states

Greek colonies in southern Italy and the Greek colonies in southern Italy and the island of Sicily became city-states. island of Sicily became city-states.

They fought just like city-states in Greece.They fought just like city-states in Greece.

Location of RomeLocation of Rome

Rome was built on seven hills along Rome was built on seven hills along the Tiber River. 15 miles inland from the Tiber River. 15 miles inland from the coast. This gave the city the coast. This gave the city protection from the sea.protection from the sea.

Rome was at the center of trade Rome was at the center of trade routes that spread out across the routes that spread out across the land in all directions.land in all directions.

Early Roman RepublicEarly Roman Republic

509bc - Wealthy nobles overthrew the 509bc - Wealthy nobles overthrew the Etruscan king and promised to never be Etruscan king and promised to never be ruled by a ruled by a MONARCHYMONARCHY again. again.

The Romans established a The Romans established a REPUBLICREPUBLIC = = form of government in which voters form of government in which voters elect officials to run the state. elect officials to run the state. ((Representative Democracy)Representative Democracy)

Only adult males could vote or be in the Only adult males could vote or be in the government.government.

MR.EMR.E

Government in Roman Government in Roman RepublicRepublic

SAMSAM 3 groups helped govern the Republic.3 groups helped govern the Republic. #1 SENATE#1 SENATE. Most powerful. . Most powerful.

Controlled public funding and foreign Controlled public funding and foreign policy. policy.

Sometimes a court. In emergencies Sometimes a court. In emergencies senate could make one citizen a senate could make one citizen a DICTATORDICTATOR = absolute ruler. = absolute ruler.

Continued…Continued… #2 MAGISTRATES #2 MAGISTRATES – Elected officials. 2 – Elected officials. 2

elected elected CONSULSCONSULS = chief executives. = chief executives. Ran govt, commanded army, appoint Ran govt, commanded army, appoint dictators. Could VETO the other dictators. Could VETO the other consul. (CHECKS AND BALANCES)consul. (CHECKS AND BALANCES)

#3 ASSEMBLIES #3 ASSEMBLIES = voted on laws and = voted on laws and elected officials and consuls. Vote for elected officials and consuls. Vote for war or peace. Elected 10 member -war or peace. Elected 10 member -TRIBUNESTRIBUNES to decide if laws were in to decide if laws were in the interest of the people.the interest of the people.

Social Structure in theSocial Structure in the Roman Republic Roman Republic

PATRICIANSPATRICIANS = powerful nobility (few = powerful nobility (few in number) inherited power. in number) inherited power. Controlled govt. Owned land.Controlled govt. Owned land.

PLEBEIANSPLEBEIANS – majority of population. – majority of population. Farmers and workers. Farmers and workers.

SLAVESSLAVES – not based on race. – not based on race.

RRome ome RRepublic epublic RRepresentativeepresentative

ContinuedContinued……

~450bc the Romans engraved their ~450bc the Romans engraved their laws onto stone tablets. These were laws onto stone tablets. These were called the called the TWELEVE TABLESTWELEVE TABLES. They . They were put in the FORUM for all to view.were put in the FORUM for all to view.

After this the distinction between After this the distinction between Patrician and Plebeian was less Patrician and Plebeian was less important. important.

However, public officials did not However, public officials did not receive a salary. So only nobles could receive a salary. So only nobles could afford to be in govt.afford to be in govt.

The Republic GrowsThe Republic Grows Romans fought many wars against Romans fought many wars against

neighbors.neighbors. Controlled everything South of Rubicon R.Controlled everything South of Rubicon R. Expansion – well organized army + wise Expansion – well organized army + wise

political policies. political policies. (taxes/citizenship)(taxes/citizenship) ARMY – every adult male had to serve.ARMY – every adult male had to serve. Non-citizen armies too = Mercenaries Non-citizen armies too = Mercenaries (bad (bad

idea)idea) Strong policies where they conquered, Strong policies where they conquered,

help to control the growing Empire.help to control the growing Empire.

SenateSenate- Patricians Chosen for Life- Patricians Chosen for Life

Controlled public fundsControlled public funds

At times – act as courtAt times – act as court

Propose dictator during emergencyPropose dictator during emergency

Veto assemblyVeto assembly

Foreign policyForeign policy

Passed lawsPassed laws

Elected officialsElected officials

Advised consulsAdvised consuls

MagistratesMagistrates – later on some – later on some plebeiansplebeians interprets and interprets and executes lawsexecutes laws

ConsulsConsuls – 2 elected 1 yr. terms – 2 elected 1 yr. terms

Chief executivesChief executives

Veto other consulVeto other consul

Ran govt and armyRan govt and army

PraetorsPraetors – commanded army in war – commanded army in war

Formed lawFormed law

AssembliesAssemblies – Plebeians – Plebeians

Elected officialsElected officials

Served in courtsServed in courts

Elected tribunesElected tribunes

Elect consulsElect consuls

Declare warDeclare war

Made some lawsMade some laws

Veto magistrates Veto magistrates

CensorsRegistered citizens according to wealthIn charge of citizen’s morals