The Roman Republic The Roman Republic & Empire& Empire

Ch.1.2Ch.1.2

Roman BeginningsRoman Beginnings Romans (like the Greeks) Indo-Romans (like the Greeks) Indo-

European people w/ ancestry from the European people w/ ancestry from the Latin’sLatin’s

Latin’s settled along the Tiber River.Latin’s settled along the Tiber River. Romans shared the Italian Penn. Romans shared the Italian Penn.

adopted many of their ideasadopted many of their ideas Etruscans (to the North) were the greatest Etruscans (to the North) were the greatest

influenceinfluence Etruscans ruled most of central ItalyEtruscans ruled most of central Italy

Also influenced by the GreeksAlso influenced by the Greeks Rome adapted alphabet, engineering, & Rome adapted alphabet, engineering, &

religion.religion.

Early RepublicEarly Republic 509 B.C. Etruscans are driven out of 509 B.C. Etruscans are driven out of

RomeRome Rome est. a new govt. where officials Rome est. a new govt. where officials

are chosen by the people, (are chosen by the people, (Republic)Republic) Romans thought this would keep from one Romans thought this would keep from one

individual from gaining too much power.individual from gaining too much power. Govt. takes shape: the most powerful Govt. takes shape: the most powerful

governing body was the Senategoverning body was the Senate 300 members served for life and, issued 300 members served for life and, issued

decree and interpreted lawsdecree and interpreted laws Senate was made up of Patricians Senate was made up of Patricians

(landholding upper class)(landholding upper class)

Early Republic cont.Early Republic cont. Every year the senate elected two consuls Every year the senate elected two consuls

Consuls supervised the business of govt., Consuls supervised the business of govt., commanded the army, & only served one term.commanded the army, & only served one term.

In the event of war a dictator was granted In the event of war a dictator was granted emergency powers by the Senate to rule emergency powers by the Senate to rule for six months.for six months.

Common People Demand EqualityCommon People Demand Equality Plebeians (farmers, merchants, artisans) Plebeians (farmers, merchants, artisans)

have little power.have little power. Majority of Roman populationMajority of Roman population Had little influence on govt.Had little influence on govt.

Early Republic cont.Early Republic cont. Plebeians protested Plebeians protested

citizens could not know the laws if they were not citizens could not know the laws if they were not written downwritten down

450 B.C. Rome inscribes its laws on twelve 450 B.C. Rome inscribes its laws on twelve tablets. tablets.

Plebeians could appeal judgments handed Plebeians could appeal judgments handed down by the govt.down by the govt.

Plebeians gained the right to elect Plebeians gained the right to elect their own officials, Tribunes.their own officials, Tribunes.

Tribunes could veto (block) laws Tribunes could veto (block) laws Impact:Impact: 2,000 years later the U.S. 2,000 years later the U.S.

Constitution adopted Roman ideas of Constitution adopted Roman ideas of senate, veto, and checks on power.senate, veto, and checks on power.

Punic WarsPunic Wars

Rome vs. CarthageRome vs. Carthage Two cities battle for control of Sicily Two cities battle for control of Sicily

and the Western Mediterranean. and the Western Mediterranean. Both able to fight a war.Both able to fight a war.

Carthage-wealthyCarthage-wealthy Ships & mercenaries for soldiersShips & mercenaries for soldiers Rome’s troops - more reliable than Rome’s troops - more reliable than

mercenary soldiers, limited navy.mercenary soldiers, limited navy.

Punic Wars cont.Punic Wars cont. First Punic WarFirst Punic War

Lasted 23 yearsLasted 23 years 241 B.C. last of Carthage’s naval 241 B.C. last of Carthage’s naval

fleet is defeatedfleet is defeated Rome takes control of Sicily, Rome takes control of Sicily,

Corsica, & Sardinia Corsica, & Sardinia main prize for victory. main prize for victory.

Punic Wars cont.Punic Wars cont.

Hannibal’s Revenge on Rome (2nd Hannibal’s Revenge on Rome (2nd Punic War)Punic War) 218 B.C. set out to invade Rome as 218 B.C. set out to invade Rome as

revenge for the first Punic War.revenge for the first Punic War. 50,000 infantry, 9,000 Calvary, 60 elephants 50,000 infantry, 9,000 Calvary, 60 elephants

were assembled to try and capture Rome.were assembled to try and capture Rome. Troops marched from Spain to France across Troops marched from Spain to France across

Alps to attack Rome from the North.Alps to attack Rome from the North. Mountains kill more than ½ of men and Mountains kill more than ½ of men and

Elephants.Elephants.

Punic Wars cont.Punic Wars cont. Rome attempts to fight back Rome attempts to fight back

Hannibal’s forces destroy the first two Hannibal’s forces destroy the first two armies sent by Rome to stop him. armies sent by Rome to stop him.

In 216 B.C. Battle of Cannae, Rome lost In 216 B.C. Battle of Cannae, Rome lost between 40,000 – 70,000 soldiers.between 40,000 – 70,000 soldiers.

Hannibal wanders Italian Peninsula Hannibal wanders Italian Peninsula for 15 yrs. for 15 yrs.

waiting for another challenge from waiting for another challenge from Rome & reinforcements from Carthage.Rome & reinforcements from Carthage.

Punic Wars cont.Punic Wars cont. Roman General Scipio makes a bold Roman General Scipio makes a bold

move and attacks Carthage.move and attacks Carthage. Hannibal was forced to race back to Hannibal was forced to race back to

Carthage.Carthage. Battle of ZamaBattle of Zama

General Scipio is the first to beat Carthage on General Scipio is the first to beat Carthage on their own soil.their own soil.

Hannibal survives and rules Carthage for Hannibal survives and rules Carthage for 7yrs. before committing suicide to avoid 7yrs. before committing suicide to avoid capture by Rome.capture by Rome.

Scipio is named “Scipio is named “AfricanusAfricanus” conqueror of ” conqueror of Rome.Rome.

Punic Wars cont.Punic Wars cont. Rome Destroys Carthage (Third Punic Rome Destroys Carthage (Third Punic

War)War) Carthage was no longer a threat to Rome.Carthage was no longer a threat to Rome. Rome is still bitter over previous conflicts Rome is still bitter over previous conflicts

with Carthage.with Carthage. Roman Senator Cayto ended his speeches Roman Senator Cayto ended his speeches

““Carthage must be destroyedCarthage must be destroyed”” 149 B.C. Rome forced war on Carthage.149 B.C. Rome forced war on Carthage. After three years of fighting, Rome burns After three years of fighting, Rome burns

Carthage to the ground.Carthage to the ground.

Republic to EmpireRepublic to Empire Caesar’s Rise to PowerCaesar’s Rise to Power

Political leaders and the senate fought Political leaders and the senate fought civil wars in Romecivil wars in Rome

Empire relied on paid soldiers who were Empire relied on paid soldiers who were loyal to their commanders not Rome. loyal to their commanders not Rome.

Julius Caesar became dictatorJulius Caesar became dictator 48-44 B.C.48-44 B.C. Pushed through a number of Pushed through a number of

reforms.reforms. Public works, land to the poor, employed the jobless Public works, land to the poor, employed the jobless

killed in 44 B.C., which brought on more civil killed in 44 B.C., which brought on more civil warswars

Republic to EmpireRepublic to Empire

Octavian Octavian became emperor in 31 B.C. became emperor in 31 B.C. created a civil service to enforce laws created a civil service to enforce laws

and imposed a fairer tax system. and imposed a fairer tax system. ushered in the Pax Romanaushered in the Pax Romana

200-year period of peace, stability and the 200-year period of peace, stability and the height of the Roman Empireheight of the Roman Empire