The Roman RepublicThe Roman Republic

I. GeographyA. Protected by mountains, but

separated from rest of Europe1. Alps

a. Kept out European invaders

2. Apennine Mountains b. Run length of Italy

B. Helped to control Mediterranean

The Roman RepublicThe Roman Republic

II. The founding of RomeA. Started by group called Latins before 700’s B.C.

B. Settled on Tiber River1. Crafted jewelry

2. Made Pottery

3. Built sewer system

4. Pave roads

5. Drain marshes

6. Some Greeks settled in Southern Italy

7. Adopted Greek gods

III. A strategic locationA. Built on seven hills, 15 miles inland on the Tiber

B. Protected from invasion by sea, center of trade routes

IV. The Early Roman Republic

A. Romulus and Remus

B. Republic – form of government in which voters elect officials to run the state

C. Senate – most influential and powerful body of the governmentA. In times of war a dictator could be named for six

months

D. Magistrates – elected officials

E. Assemblies – oversaw defense and acted as courts

F. The Conflict of the Orders1. Patricians – wealthy landowners

2. Plebeians – farmers and workers

3. The Romans engraved laws onto the Twelve Tablesa. Put them in the public square for all to see

G. The Republic Grows1. The role of the Roman army – well-trained, strict

discipline

a. Legionnaires – 4500 – 6000 soldiers

b. Auxilia – units of non-citizens

H. Earning loyalty1. Conquered peoples were granted limited rights

2. People from different parts of empire could purchase citizen ship

Roman Patricians and PlebeiansRoman Patricians and Plebeians

I. Rome Fights Carthage (in N. Africa)A. The First Punic War

1. lasted 23 years

2. Carthage was forced to give up Sicily

B. The Second Punic War1. Hannibal was defeated by Scipio

2. Carthage had to give up Spain and its navy

C. The Third Punic War1. Rome again defeated Carthage and became

supreme power in Mediterranean

Roman ExpansionRoman Expansion

Causes and Results of Punic WarsCauses and Results of Punic WarsCauses Results

First Punic War Carthage was afraid Rome would take Sicily; Rome was afraid Carthage would close the Adriatic Sea and Strait of Messina

Carthage asked for peace; had to pay reparations and give up control of Sicily

Second Punic War Hannibal invaded Italy Carthage asked for peace; paid Rome reparations and lost the Spanish colonies

Third Punic War Romans passionately hated Carthage. Rome declared war

Carthage was destroyed

II. The Problems of ExpansionA. Nobles gained more power

B. Wider gap between rich and poor

III. Roman ProvincesA. New territories

B. Ruled by governors1. Some were corrupt

2. Tax collectors squeezed as much as possible

IV. Trade became new business A. Created a middle class of business people