The Roman Republic

Beginnings of Rome

Greeks influence Etruscans,

Etruscans influence early Rome, alphabet, architecture

Rome revolts, kicks out Etruscans

Rome becomes a republic

Roman Republic

Elected officials ran the state,

Three Parts (Branches) of Government- Senate, Elected Officials, and various popular assemblies.

Republic = Representatives (Rome) Democracy = All Free-Men (Greece)

What is the U.S?

The Senate

300 members

Advised elected officials, controlled finances and foreign affairs, reviewed laws

Did not write legislation (laws)

The Senate

Assemblies

Centuriate Assembly - most important assembly

Basically the Roman army in it’s political form.

Elected magistrates (leaders), approved laws, tried court cases, declared war

Elected Officials Two Consuls (leaders) elected for one year,

Praetors: ruled when Consuls were away, execution of justice

Censors: conducting census, control over conduct and morals.

Chief executive, commander of the army

Ran the city’s daily affairs, led the army, acted as judges and priests.

Appointed dictators.

The Forum

Center of city, site of most important governmental buildings.

Popular place for shopping and gossip

Does this sound familiar to today?

The Roman Forum

Day 2: Quick-Write

Take a minute to brainstorm: 1.) What characteristics add to the decline of

civilizations? Think back to Unit 1 (Mesopotamia, Hebrews, Egyptians) and Unit 2 (Mycenae, Greece) what were some of the reasons these civilizations declined?

2.) Now take some of the ideas from above and hypothesize what characteristics might lead to the eventual decline of the Roman Republic?

The Roman Conquest of Italy - Why were they successful? All men served, age of service 17-46, had to own

some land.

Never give up attitude,

Allowed conquered cities to become Roman allies, some people were allowed to become Roman citizens.

Conquered cities were allowed to govern, but had to give soldiers to Rome when needed.

Military Success

Great Diplomats, great tactics

Could be firm and cruel when they had to be.

Built roads to conquered cities, makes easier communication.

Punic Wars Rome expanded into the Mediterranean region.

Conflict with Carthage (Northern Africa)

1st Punic war, Rome dominated by Carthage navy, Rome builds a navy and wins

2nd Punic War, Hannibal raids Italy with superior forces. (War Elephants) Rome attacks Carthage and wins,(Scipio Africanus)

3rd Punic War, Carthage is sacked and burned.

Rome controlled all of the Mediterranean.

Decline of Republic

Large territories, pressures to govern.

Tension in social classes rise.

Social War – Roman allies that were denied citizenship revolt.

Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus, First Triumvirate (rule of three men).

Caesar becomes dictator for life

From Republic to Empire

Caesar killed “Et tu Brute?”

Second Triumvirate (Octavian and Marc Anthony) fails (civil war again)

Octavian wins and becomes first Roman Emperor.

Anthony and Cleopatra commit suicide.

Republic to Empire in three steps

Conquests of Italy,

War with Carthage, conquest of The Mediterranean

Conquests and annexation of the Hellenistic kingdoms.

Characteristics of Decline

Powerful individuals fighting for power (Caesar, Octavian etc…) lead to civil wars

Too much military in politics (Marius, Sulla, Caesar, Octavian)

Expansive territories and governing problems.

Expansion of territories, (Italy, Mediterranean, Hellenistic kingdoms)

Day 3: The Roman Empire

Age of Augustus: stabilized Rome,

Encouraged creativity especially literature to enhance his fame.

“I found Rome built of bricks, I left her clothed in marble.”

After Augustus Octavian dies, followed by a series of unfit emperors. (Nero, Caligula)

The Good Emperors

5 good emperors, mostly from the provinces

Opened up imperial society to provincial elites

Hadrian, built up defenses (Hadrian’s Wall 73 miles long)

Expanded Roman Territories,

Pax Romana (Roman Peace)

Period of Peace

From Augustus to end of The Good Emperors

Major Unifying Forces

Government: United the territories and provinces Local rulers under the rule of Rome

Legal System: Stable laws and legal system

Trade and Transportation: Agriculture (main trade) extensive road network and sea trade.

Day 4: Rise of Christianity

Jews did not abandon their religion

Jewish Uprising, coming of the Messiah

Jesus of Nazareth began teaching

Performed Miracles, persecuted and killed

The Teachings of Christianity

It taught to seek forgiveness for their sins,

Love others as you love yourself

Humility, mercy and charity.

The Spread of Christianity

Paul, a Jewish Apostle spread the word.

Not just Jews, but to Gentiles (non-Jews)

Did away with some Jewish customs, (Kosher)

Made it a broader religion

The Spread of Christianity

Persecution made Martyrs

Martyrdom inspired others to believe.

Persecuted at the local level, not imperial

Imperial Approval

Emperor Constantine has a vision,

Officially converts to Christianity

Edict of Milan – Made Christianity legal

Christianity grew, polytheism faded.

Interesting Practices

Day 5: Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire = Eastern Roman Capital (Constantinople)

Split by Constantine

Eastern Empire was successful

Justinian

Strong willed wife (Theodora)

Rebuilt Constantinople (Hagia Sophia)

Codification of Roman Law (Simplified the laws)

Attempted to restore East and West Empires.

Hagia Sophia