The Roman Republic Romans drove out Etruscan rulers around 509 BC Set up a Republic (govt. of the people, although really an aristocracy) Senate: most powerful governing body made up of 300 patricians (landholding upper class): served for life The creation of the consulship and Republic may have been a sudden revolution or a gradual change that resulted in the formation of the Republic in 509 BC.

Roman Senate continued! 2 consuls elected from the patrician class Job was to consult with the Senate, supervise business of the govt. and command the armies Consuls served 1 year term In times of war: Senate chose a dictator to rule for 6 months dictator. in ancient Rome, a magistrate with supreme authority, appointed in times of emergency

Roman Senate The Senate never had legislative power. They gave opinions to the consuls, expressed in formal votes. Consuls could reject the vote but only twice in history did they do so.

Plebeians Demand Equality Plebeians (commoners): farmers, merchants, artisans, traders Made efforts to gain power 450 BC: 12 Tables of Law set up in the Forum - -- made it possible for plebeians to appeal decision of a judge Later gained right to elect tribunes (10) to protect their interests Tribunes could veto (block) laws that weren’t in the interest of the common people

Roman Republic Conflict of the Orders (Plebeian vs. Patrician) Punic Wars (264-146 BC) – series of three wars fought between Rome and ancient Carthage. Crisis of the Roman Republic (134-44 BC) – extended period of political instability and social unrest. Led to the fall of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire.

Roman Revolution Transition from Roman Republic to Empire Probably most important and well-known period in Roman history.

The situation The acquisition of more land increased the stakes in Roman politics. More and more people became more intense and serious about what they ought to be doing politically and seeking to gain political status. At the beginning there were two political groups (not parties) called factions. Senators, nobles, etc., who worked together, usually for their own advancement.

Factions These factions lasted for generations because sometimes of related families (political alliances via marriage). Girls married 14-16, usually to about 40 year old man. Man typically had 5-7 wives because women did not live long due to risks of childbirth.

Goals NO platforms, like today. All about the success of the people in the faction.

Transition Members of different factions were continually running for consul, murdering each other, cutting deals, and other not so honorable practices. Over time, many successful generals also became consul, such as Gaius Marius. Armies become more loyal to their generals than Rome itself and the Senate.

Civil War Marius, Cicero, The Metelli, Sulla, Tiberius Gracchus, Mithridates – all these people were involved in a very complicated Civil War. Marius – damnatio memoriae (damnation of memory)

And along comes… G. Iulius Caesar Gives vocal support for his uncle Marius at his aunt’s funeral. After his speech, the common people would do anything he asked them to.

Caesar Rises through the ranks of the government quickly. Very successful at expanding the ‘empire’. General of several legions, away from Rome, he’s asked by Mark Antony to come free the city from the dominion of the group of senators under Cato who have taken over Rome illegally.

Caesar Ruled with office as dictator for life (an honor given to a hero in Rome). He was a fantastic ruler of Rome. His assassination by former friend Brutus officially ended the Roman Republic. Caesar deified.

Augustus Caesar Octavius – Julius Caesar’s nephew, adopted as Caesar’s heir Becomes Augustus Caesar, first emperor of Rome, though we call him Octavian. He fosters peace and prosperity in Rome.

Division of the Empire The empire got so big that one person couldn’t manage it. There were also serious problems deciding who would rule. Diocletian designated the general Maximian as co-emperor, first as Caesar (junior emperor) in 285, and then promoted him to Augustus in 286. Diocletian took care of matters in the Eastern regions of the Empire while Maximian similarly took charge of the Western regions.

Fall of the Empire Western Roman Empire: Eastern Roman Empire: Gradually lost power over 100 years. Rome was sacked several times. Official end is 476 AD – divided into small sovereign political identities. Eastern Roman Empire: Also called the Holy Roman Empire Centered around Constantinople Also called the Byzantine Empire