Section 2Section 2

The Roman RepublicThe Roman Republic

Section OverviewSection Overview

This section describes the Roman Republic’s political development and the defeat of Carthage.

Rome’s republic was shaped by a struggle between wealthy landowners and regular citizens as it gradually expanded the right to vote

Rome slowly destroyed the Carthaginian Empire and took control of the entire Mediterranean region.

Reading StrategyReading Strategy

OfficialsOfficials Legislative BodiesLegislative Bodies

ConsulsConsuls

PraetorsPraetors

TribunesTribunes

SenateSenate

Assembly of CenturiesAssembly of Centuries

Council of PlebesCouncil of Plebes

Rome’s GovernmentRome’s Government• Patricians and plebeians were the two classes of

people in Rome.

• The patricians were wealthy landowners

• The plebeians were the merchants, farmers, and artisans of Rome.

• They were allowed to vote, but only Patricians were allowed in the senate

• P. 150, TTK

Rome’s GovernmentRome’s Government

• Top government officials were called consuls*

• Another important group of officials were the praetors

- Their main job was to interpret the law and act as judges in

court cases.

• The Senate was the most important lawmaking body

- A select group of 300 patrician men who served for life. Over time, their power grew. By the 200s B.C., it could propose law, hold debates on important issues, and approve building programs**

PAGE 150, TTK

Rome’s Government Cont…Rome’s Government Cont…

Another important legislative body was the Assembly of Centuries*

• Plebeians challenged the class system by going on strike*

Rome’s GovernmentRome’s GovernmentPlebeians Against PatriciansPlebeians Against Patricians

**The Romans then allowed the plebeians to set up their own legislative group called the Council of the Plebes

- Gained power to pass laws for all Romans in 287 B.C. Now, all male citizens had equal political standing, at least in theory*

Office of Dictator existed in the Roman Republic

- Today, dictator***, is defined as an oppressive ruler.

- PAGE 150, TTK

Who was Cincinnatus?Who was Cincinnatus?

Roman dictators ruled on a Roman dictators ruled on a temporary basis during emergenciestemporary basis during emergencies

Cincinnatus, the best-known early Roman dictator, led an army of men to defeat a powerful enemy*

CincinnatusCincinnatus

He was a farmer He was a farmer and devoted citizen and devoted citizen of Romeof Rome

He returned to his He returned to his farm about 16 days farm about 16 days after becoming after becoming dictatordictator

This picture shows This picture shows him handing the him handing the rods of power back rods of power back to city fathers*to city fathers*

Rome’s GovernmentRome’s Government

The Twelve Tables were Rome’s first code of laws- Established the principle that all free citizens had the right to be treated equally by the legal system

They were the basis of all future Roman laws

The Law of Nations was developed to address issues of conquered peoples*

Rome Expands Rome Expands

Carthage, a state on the coast of North Africa, was a powerful enemy of Rome.

The First Punic War began as a dispute between Rome and Carthage over the island of Sicily

The war continued for 20 years before Rome won

The Second Punic War began after Carthage expanded into Spain

Page 151, PTL

Hannibal’s Route of InvasionHannibal’s Route of Invasion

The Second Punic WarThe Second Punic War Rome helped the people of

Spain rebel* Hannibal was a great

Carthaginian general who fought in the Second Punic War (p. 152, PTM)

At the Battle of Cannae, in 216 B.C., Hannibal’s forces overpowered the Romans

(p. 151, PTL)

The Roman general Scipio led his forces to defeat the Carthaginians at the Battle of Zama** (p. 151, PTL and p. 152, PTM)

Rome ExpandsRome Expands

Rome destroyed Carthage in the Third Punic War

• Rome also took all of Greece and Macedonia and parts of Africa during the Punic Wars.

SUM IT UPSUM IT UP

How did Rome punish Carthage at How did Rome punish Carthage at the end of the Third Punic War?the end of the Third Punic War?

They burned Carthage, took 50,000 They burned Carthage, took 50,000 slaves, and spread salt on the earth so slaves, and spread salt on the earth so no more crops could grow. no more crops could grow.

P. 152, SIUP. 152, SIU

SECTION WRAP UPSECTION WRAP UP How did Rome’s government change? How did Rome’s government change?

The republic included consuls, praetors, The republic included consuls, praetors, the Senate, and the Assembly of the Senate, and the Assembly of Centuries. The government changed to Centuries. The government changed to give representation to plebeians. They set give representation to plebeians. They set up the Council of Plebs elected tribunes up the Council of Plebs elected tribunes and won the right to veto. They also and won the right to veto. They also gained the power to pass laws for all gained the power to pass laws for all Romans. Romans.

P. 153, SWUP. 153, SWU

What Did You Learn in Section What Did You Learn in Section 2?2?

Who were the top government Who were the top government officials in the Roman Republic, and officials in the Roman Republic, and what were their duties?what were their duties?

Consuls were the top government officials, praetors, tribunes. Consuls headed armies and ran the state. Praetors served as judges, and tribunes represented the plebeians

Section 2 Review Cont…Section 2 Review Cont…

Why did Rome create a navy?

Carthage was a great sea power. To beat the Carthaginians, the Romans had to build a great naval fleet.

Section 2 ReviewSection 2 Review

What does mare nostrum mean, and why did the Romans use the term?

It means “our sea.” The Romans controlled the Mediterranean Sea.

Section 2 ReviewSection 2 Review

Where was Carthage located, and why did it compete with Rome?

Carthage was located on the coast of North Africa and was a trading rival of Rome.

Section 2 ReviewSection 2 Review

Summarize What other conquests did Rome carry out during the period of the Punic Wars

Rome conquered Macedonia, Greece, and Asia Minor.

Section 2 ReviewSection 2 Review

Evaluate Why do you think the legacy of Roman law is considered so important?

Roman law led to the principles that law protects citizens’ rights, that a person is innocent until proven guilty, and that a judge must look at evidence carefully before making a decision.