The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic Geography Protected by mountains, but separated from rest of Europe Alps Kept out European invaders Apennine Mountains b. Run length of Italy Helped to control Mediterranean

The founding of Rome A strategic location Started by group called Latins before 700’s B.C. Settled on Tiber River Crafted jewelry Made Pottery Built sewer system Pave roads Drain marshes Some Greeks settled in Southern Italy Adopted Greek gods A strategic location Built on seven hills, 15 miles inland on the Tiber Protected from invasion by sea, center of trade routes

The Early Roman Republic Romulus and Remus Republic – form of government in which voters elect officials to run the state Senate – most influential and powerful body of the government In times of war a dictator could be named for six months Magistrates – elected officials Assemblies – oversaw defense and acted as courts

The Conflict of the Orders Patricians – wealthy landowners Plebeians – farmers and workers The Romans engraved laws onto the Twelve Tables Put them in the public square for all to see The Republic Grows The role of the Roman army – well-trained, strict discipline Legionnaires – 4500 – 6000 soldiers Auxilia – units of non-citizens Earning loyalty Conquered peoples were granted limited rights People from different parts of empire could purchase citizen ship

Roman Patricians and Plebeians Controlled government Landowners Nobles Inherited power Plebeians Farmers and workers Barred from office majority

Roman Expansion Rome Fights Carthage (in N. Africa) The First Punic War lasted 23 years Carthage was forced to give up Sicily The Second Punic War Hannibal was defeated by Scipio Carthage had to give up Spain and its navy The Third Punic War Rome again defeated Carthage and became supreme power in Mediterranean

Causes and Results of Punic Wars First Punic War Carthage was afraid Rome would take Sicily; Rome was afraid Carthage would close the Adriatic Sea and Strait of Messina Carthage asked for peace; had to pay reparations and give up control of Sicily Second Punic War Hannibal invaded Italy Carthage asked for peace; paid Rome reparations and lost the Spanish colonies Third Punic War Romans passionately hated Carthage. Rome declared war Carthage was destroyed

The Problems of Expansion Nobles gained more power Wider gap between rich and poor Roman Provinces New territories Ruled by governors Some were corrupt Tax collectors squeezed as much as possible Trade became new business Created a middle class of business people