The Roman Republic and Empire Chapter 1 Section 2

Focus Question How did the Roman government develop into an empire?

Establishing a Republic In 509 B.C., the Romans broke free of Etruscan rule and formed a republic (People chose some officials, which stopped anyone from having to much power). Various governing bodies regulated Roman life, such as the senate (300 land owning elite). Ø In 509 B.C., the Romans broke free of Etruscan rule and formed a republic (People chose some officials, which stopped anyone from having to much power).

Establishing a Republic In a time of war, a dictator would be chosen, and could serve for 6 months. Plebeians (commoners) had to fight to gain political power and elect Tribunes. With the help of citizen-soldiers, Rome came to control most of the Italian peninsula by about 270 B.C.

From Republic to Empire Rome expanded around the Mediterranean Fought the African city-state of Carthage in the Punic Wars between 246 B.C. and 146 B.C.

From Republic to Empire In the end, Rome destroyed Carthage and gained control of its lands and people. In the eastern Mediterranean, Rome regained lands that had been conquered by Alexander the Great.

From Republic to Empire Political leaders and the senate fought civil wars in Rome. The empire came to rely on paid soldiers who were loyal to their commanders over the state.

Roman Republic to Empire Julius Caesar Was dictator 46-44 B.C. He relieved debt Reformed the Senate making it more representative He reformed the Roman calendar by increasing its size and opening it up so that it better represented Romans as a whole.

Roman Republic to Empire Julius Caesar Reorganized how local government was worked. In addition he resurrected two city- states, Carthage and Corinth granted citizenship to a number of foreigners. He was assassinated by members of the senate. by increasing its size and opening it up so that it better represented Romans as a whole.

From Republic to Empire Octavian became emperor in 31 B.C. and took the title of Augustus. He created a civil service to enforce laws and imposed a fairer tax system. He ushered in the Pax Romana, which was a 200-year period of peace.

The Roman Empire

Roman Law Roman laws united the empire. Civil law and the law of nations were merged to apply to everyone in the empire. Many Roman principles of law are still practiced today (right to face accuser and offer a defense & innocent till proven guilty).

Greco-Roman Civilization Trade helped expand Greco-Roman ideas Roman writers imitated Greek styles but wrote in Latin (Greek art, science, and philosophy were admired by Romans). Roman historians recorded their civilization’s highs and lows. The Hellenistic philosophy of Stoicism influenced many Roman thinkers