Start Work Imagine that you are establishing a new country. What type of government would you choose to run your country? Would it be ran by a single ruler or would public officials be elected? Choose a government to rule over your new country and explain why you made the decision you made.

Ancient Rome Section 1 Notes Learning Objective: Today we will learn about the geography of Italy and how Rome came to be.

Vocabulary Romulus and Remus- twin brothers and founders of Rome republic- government where people elect leaders to govern them dictators- rulers with almost absolute power plebeians- or common people patricians- wealthy, powerful citizens

Where in the world is Italy?

Geography of Italy 1. Because Italy is surrounded by water, the Romans could travel easily to other parts of the world. 2. Italy looks like a high-heeled boot sticking out into the Mediterranean Sea. 3. The Romans believed their history could be traced back to a great Trojan hero named Aeneas.

Romulus and Remus

Video Response Use the information you learned in the video to explain how Rome got its name.

4. According to Roman legends, Rome’s founders were twin brothers named Romulus and Remus. 5. Many historians believe that the Romans learned their alphabet and numbers from the Etruscans. 6. The government the Romans created in 509 BC was a republic.

7. During particularly difficult wars, the Romans chose rulers with absolute power called dictators. ( Changed every 6 months) 8. Plebeians were the common people in Roman society. 9. The noble or more powerful citizens of Rome were called patricians.

10. In 494 BC the peasants, craftspeople, and traders of Rome formed a council and elected their own officials.

Plebeians vs. Patricians Law #1: All plebeians must pay a property tax to the patricians of 5 dollars. Law #2: All plebeians who are wearing jeans must pay a tax of one dollar to wear jeans in Rome. Law #3: All plebeians who have brown eyes must pay a tax of one gold coin. Law #4: All plebeians who are male citizens must pay a tax of 10 dollars. Law #5: All plebeians who own a cell phone must pay phone tax of 20 dollars.

Ancient Rome Section 2 Notes Learning Objective: Today we will learn about Rome’s tripartite government and how it helped Rome create a stable society.

Section 2 Vocabulary Terms magistrates- elected officials in Rome consuls- the two most powerful magistrates in Rome. Roman Senate- council of wealthy and powerful Romans that advised the cities leaders veto- prohibit (stop) the actions of other officials Latin- the Roman’s language checks and balances- a method used to balance power in a government Forum- Rome’s public meeting place

Government and Society The Big Idea Rome’s tripartite government and written laws helped create a stable society. Main Ideas 1.Roman government was made up of three parts that worked together to run the city. 2.Written laws helped keep order in Rome. 3.The Roman Forum was the heart of Roman society.

Notes Roman government was made up of three parts that worked together to run the city. 1.When the plebeians complained about Rome’s government, the leaders knew they had to do something. 2.As a result, they developed a tripartite, or three-part, government.

Magistrates 3.The first part of the government was made up of elected officials, or magistrates. 4.The two most powerful officials were called the consuls. 5.Each magistrate was elected for one year and had his own duties and powers.

Senate 6. The second part of the government was the Roman Senate. 7. This was a council of wealthy and powerful Romans that advised the city’s leaders. 8. Members of the senate were elected for life.

Assemblies and Tribunes 9. This part of the government protected the common people and had two branches. 10. The first branch was made up of both plebeians and patricians. Their primary job was to elect the magistrates. 11. The second branch was made up of tribunes who had the right to veto, or prohibit, actions by other officials. They were elected by the plebeians.

Civic Duty and Checks and Balances Rome’s government would not have worked without the participation of the people. 12. People participated in Rome’s government because they felt it was their duty to the city. – Citizens attended assembly meetings. – They also voted. – Wealthy and powerful citizens held public office. 13. Checks and balances were created to ensure that no one part of the government had more power. – Checks and balances are methods to balance power. They keep one part of the government from becoming stronger or more influential than the others.

Roman Laws Written laws helped keep order in Rome. Many people were punished for breaking laws they did not even know existed. 14. Rome’s first law code was written and displayed in the forum, Rome’s public meeting place.

The Roman Forum, where the Law of the Twelve Tables was kept, was the heart of the city. It was the site of many important government buildings and temples. The Roman Forum It was also a popular meeting place for Roman citizens to shop, chat, and gossip.