Early Rome P

Legend  Aeneas- Trojan hero who fled with followers after the fall of Troy. –Allied with Latins to defeat other groups –Married king’s daughter –Became ruler

Legend (cont.)  Romulus and Remus- twin brothers  Descendents of Aeneas  Babies put in basket and thrown in Tiber River to drown  Saved by a wolf  Adopted by a shepherd  Built city on spot where wolf rescued them  Romulus killed Remus and named city after himself  1 st king of

Etruscans  Live north of Rome  Influenced by Greeks  Built huge temples  Built first sewer in Rome  Taught Romans alphabet and numbers  Ruled Rome

Republic  509BC- people overthrew cruel king and formed a republic  People elect leaders to govern them  Assembly passed laws  Officials stay in power for 1 year to keep from becoming too powerful  Wealthy- controlled government  Had power

Dictators  Ruler with absolute power  Rule for 6 months  Usually during times of war –Cincinnatus – 458 BC- farmer  Defend city and defeated enemies  Resigned before 6 months were over and returned to farming

Society  2 groups –Plebeians- lower class/ common people  Outnumber the patricians  Want change in government  Couldn’t take part in government –Patricians- upper class/ nobles  Wealthy  Held all power

Plebeians  494BC- form own council/assemblies –Elect own officials –Patricians decide time to change government