Chapter 5 - ROME

Geography

Reasons Rome was a Good Place to Build an Empire Centrally located in Mediterranean Built on 7 hills = easily defended Located on the Tiber River = safe from sea attack and good for trade “All roads lead to Rome”

Greeks settled in Southern Italy

The Roman Republic 509 BC - Romans overthrow Etruscan kings and create a Republic Leader is NOT a king, and only certain citizens can vote.

War and Conquest Rome engaged in warfare for almost 200 years They took control over all of Italy – including Greece

Why was Rome Successful? Good Diplomats – allowed freedom and extended citizenship Excelled in military matters – brilliant strategists Practical in law and conquest

Government of Rome

Early Rome was divided into two groups: Patricians – land owners; ruling class Plebeians – less wealthy landholders, merchants, and farmers

CEOs of the Republic Consuls – two men chosen each year to run government & lead the army Praetors – in charge of civil law

Senate – 300 patricians who served for life Centuriate Assembly – elected chief officials (wealthy) & passed laws

Struggle between the Classes Patricians vs. Plebeians

Peace brought about by The Twelve Tables 450 B.C. - Rome’s first code of laws Guaranteed rights to Plebeians

Law of Nations Included principles (passed down through generation) such as: Innocent until proven otherwise Accused allowed to defend self Judge expected to weigh evidence

Punic Wars 264-146 BC

Battle for control of trade in the Western Mediterranean Rome vs. Carthage Battle for control of trade in the Western Mediterranean

Carthage

First Punic War 264 - 241 B.C. Began when Rome sent an army to Sicily

Rome wins & gets Sicily

Second Punic War

Hannibal Invades Italy from Spain

Crosses the Alps with elephants, horses, & army of 46,000

Crushes Romans at Cannae

Hannibal spends 10 years in Italy, but no victory Hannibal spends 10 years in Italy, but no victory. (Romans wouldn’t leave the cities) Romans sent troops to Spain & pushed the Carthaginians out

Rome Wins Rome attacks Carthage Hannibal forced to return through Spain--defeated at Zama in 202 BC Spain becomes a Roman province Rome is the dominant power

Third Punic War 50 years later Rome attacks Carthage out of spite

Carthage burned

Rome establishes its empire & now rules the Mediterranean