The Roman Republic The Growth of Democracy Mr. Meester World History 1-2

Vocabulary Republic Consul Tribune Dictator Veto Senate

Establishing the Republic Rome was first controlled by a group of people called the Etruscans. The Etruscans used a monarchy to govern their territory. This monarchy was highly corrupt and unfair to the Roman people. After the Roman overthrew the Etruscans they would continue to distrust monarchies.

Horatius and the Bridge

The Roman Republic By definition, a republic is a “thing of the people” and the Roman government reflected this ideal. The Romans had a number of different governing bodies to make sure no one got too much power.

The Roman Senate The Senate was made up 300 members. All members were patricians, members of the landowning upper class who served for life. The Senate advised and influenced all government decisions including the making of laws.

The Consuls The Senate elected 2 consuls each year. The consuls were very powerful government supervisors who also commanded the armies of Rome. Consuls had to agree on all decisions & be re-elected every year. This provided a system of checks and balances ensuring that no one man gained too much power.

The Dictator Special position elected only during emergencies. One person gained total control of the republic for 6 months. Usually occurred during times of war.

Plebian Tribunes Plebeians, the common people of Rome, made up the bulk of the Roman population. The Plebeians had the right to elect their own officials known as tribunes. These 10 tribunes could veto (block) laws harmful to the Plebeians. Eventually, Plebeians became members of the senate and could become consuls.

Voting Assemblies All full Roman citizens could become members of the assemblies. The assemblies either accepted or rejected laws passed by the senate. Assemblies also elected all officials and had the power to declare war.

Rome and the United States The system of government created by the Romans: Ensured that power is held by those eligible to vote. Ensured that political power is exercised by elected representatives. Ensured that a system of checks and balances is created preventing one person or one group from gaining too much power. Sound familiar?

The Punic Wars These 3 wars were fought by Rome against the African Empire of Carthage. All 3 wars were won by the Romans, but in the 2nd, Hannibal (leader of Carthage) took over most of the Italian Peninsula. During the 3rd war Carthage was totally destroyed.

Hannibal Crossing the Alps

Rome: From Republic to Empire Over the next 250 years, Rome expanded until it became the master of the entire Mediterranean Sea area. The Roman army defeated the Greeks and took control of most of Alexander the Great’s empire. This increased the power of the army and began to march towards empire.