unit 3 ancient rome part i: the romans create a republic
TRANSCRIPT
Unit 3Ancient Rome
Part I: The Romans Create a Republic
History• Legend of Romulus and Remus
(753 B.C.)• Influenced by Greeks and
Etruscans–Greek gods, agriculture–Etruscan writing, architecture
• Last Roman king kicked out 509 BC• Romans establish a
REPUBLIC – A FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN WHICH POWER RESTS WITH CITIZENS WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE TO SELECT THEIR LEADERS
Government• People in Rome are either:
PLEBEIANS – COMMON FARMERS, ARTISANS, AND MERCHANTS or
PATRICIANS – WEALTHY LANDOWNERS
• Only free male citizens vote• Most people/voters are plebeians• Plebeians are not allowed to hold
high government positions
• Plebeians were not treated fairly• Tribunes were elected to protect
the rights of plebeians• In 451 BC, Tribunes create the
12 TABLES–A written code of laws that
established the idea that all free citizens have a right to protection under laws
Government Branches• Rome’s government was a mix
of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy
• Two Consuls (executive) led the army and government
• SENATE (legislative) – 300 PEOPLE WHO WERE THE GOVERNING BODY
• Praetors (judicial) were judges
• In times of crisis, the Republic could appoint a DICTATOR – A LEADER WHO HAD ABSOLUTE POWER TO MAKE LAWS AND COMMAND THE ARMY
• They had to be chosen by consuls and senate
• They could only rule for 6 months• Look at chart on page 143
Military• All male landowners had to serve• Roman soldiers were grouped
into LEGIONS – LARGE MILITARY UNITS
• Military was very important to Rome’s rise
Rome Expands• War with Carthage over access to
the Mediterranean• Rome and Carthage fought the
Punic Wars from 264 to 146 B.C.• 1st war goes to Rome• 2nd war sees HANNIBAL – A
CARTHAGINIAN GENERAL vs. SCIPIO – A ROMAN GENERAL
• Hannibal fought hard for about 15 years, but was finally defeated
• 3rd War saw Carthage completely destroyed
Unit 3 Ancient Rome
Part II: Changes in the Roman Empire
Problems Arise• Gap between the rich and poor
grows–Homeless–Unemployed–Poor (1/4)–Slaves (1/3 of pop.)
• Rome falls into a CIVIL WAR - CONFLICT BETWEEN GROUPS WITHIN THE SAME COUNTRY
1st Punic War• War started in 264 B.C.• 3 Wars fought between 264 and 146 B.C.• 1st war was for control of Sicily, and lasted
23 years (264-241 B.C.)• Rome defeated Carthage in 1st Punic War• 2nd Punic War begins in 218 B.C.• 29-year-old Carthaginian general named
Hannibal led the army against Rome
2nd Punic War• Hannibal had an army of 50,000 infantry,
9,000 cavalry, and 60 elephants• To surprise the Romans, he led his army
around Italy and came down through the Alps
• For a decade he terrorized Italy• Won important battle of Cannae in 216
B.C.• Never captured Rome
Julius Caesar• ROMAN GENERAL WHO BECAME
DICTATOR IN 46 BC• Becomes consul in 59 BC• Spends next 10 years building up
troops/support across Empire• Returns to Rome in 46 BC• Appointed dictator
• Caesar was an ABSOLUTE RULER – ONE WHO HAS TOTAL POWER
• Made many important changes for poor
• People love him; senators hate him• “Ides of March”
–March 15, 44 BC–Stabbed to death in senate chamber
by senators
3rd Punic War• 149-146 B.C.• Carthage no longer a real threat to Rome• Senator Cato ended all his speeches with
“Carthage must be destroyed”• 149 B.C. Rome laid siege to Carthage• 146 B.C. Carthage was set afire and the
remaining 50,000 citizens sold into slavery
The Republic falls, The Empire Begins
• Mark Antony and AUGUSTUS – CAESAR’S NEPHEW WHO BECAME A GREAT EMPEROR quickly take control
• Antony and Augustus become rivals
• Antony defeated at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC
• Augustus becomes emperor• His rule starts the PAX ROMANA –
PERIOD OF ROMAN PEACE AND PROSPERITY FROM 27 BC TO 180 AD
The Roman Empire• 3 million square miles• 70 million people• 1 million in Rome itself• 90% of people farm• Massive trade network using
roads
“Bread and Circuses”• Huge gaps between rich and poor
continue to grow• Government provides free
entertainment to distract the poor from their problems
• GLADIATORS – PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS – fought to the death to entertain the masses.
Unit 3: Ancient Rome
Factors in the Decline of Rome
Political• Political office seen as burden, not reward• Military interference in politics• Civil war and unrest• Division of empire by DIOCLETIAN – THE
ROMAN EMPEROR WHO SPLIT ROME EAST AND WEST IN LATE 200s
• Moving of capital to Byzantium (renamed CONSTANTINOPLE – THE NEW CAPITAL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE – 330 AD)
Social• Decline in interest in public affairs• Low confidence in empire• Disloyalty, lack of patriotism,
corruption• Contrast between rich and poor
Economic• Poor harvests• Disruption of trade• No more war plunder• Gold and silver drain• INFLATION - A RISE IN THE
PRICE OF GOODS, COUPLED WITH A DECLINE IN THE VALUE OF MONEY
Economic Cont.• High taxes• Widening gap between rich and
poor, especially in the West.
Military• Threat from northern European
tribes• Low funds for defense• Problems recruiting Roman
soldiers; recruiting of MERCENARIES – FOREIGN SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT FOR MONEY
Military Cont.• Decline of patriotism and loyalty
among soldiers
Immediate Cause• Invasion of and destruction of
Rome by ‘barbarians’