Warm up In your notebook (top of page 23), answer the following questions. Be prepared to discuss. When you are old enough, do you plan on voting? Why or why not? Should the voting age in America be lowered? Explain.

In your own words define: Republic Democracy Recall what you learned about Greece. What government type was developed in Ancient Greece?

Now, to Rome! …many, many years later

ROME! Located on the Italian Peninsula and surrounded by natural barriers which prevented most invasion Etruscans gained control of the city of Rome and the wealthy Etruscan family ruled until they were overthrown by the people who declared Rome a republic! Republic = representative government Began as a Republic in 509 B.C.E.

Roman Republic Distinctive division between citizens and noncitizens, those with no civil rights Some of the people voted to elect political leaders Both patricians (wealthy) and plebeians (less wealthy class) could vote Executive and Legislative branch of government Executive: Office of Consul took care of day-to-day operations Legislative: Senate and Assembly of Centuries Made laws for the republic Only male of the patrician (aristocratic class) could hold political office How is this similar to our political system in the United States today? How is this different than to our political system in the United States today?

Roman Law The Twelve Tables: 12 bronze tablets engraved with Roman law and placed throughout the republic so the law could be applied to ALL Roman legal concepts are reflected in later Western civilization legal documents and traditions right to a "trial by a jury of your peers“ idea of “innocent until proven guilty“ right to “equality before the law“

Quick! Turn & Talk How was the Roman Republic different than the government in Athens? Which government was better? Why?

Augustus Caesar 27 B.C.E. to 14 C.E. Took power away from the Senate and became the sole lawmaker Ended the representative government of the republic! Began a period of peace in Rome known as the “Pax Romana” (a time of advanced education, architecture, and religion)

Roman Empire Senate remained but the emperor (and large bureaucracy) held the power Under imperial rule, Rome thrived economically and an aristocratic class of large landed estate owners developed How was the Roman Empire different than the Roman Republic? Which was a better way to govern?

Roads The Romans built thousands of miles of road to connect the entire empire.

Aqueducts The Romans were the first to build aqueducts. The provided running water, indoor plumbing and a sewer system

Monumental structures One of the things the Romans are most famous for is their architecture. A lot of new ideas in architecture the arch baked brick use of cement and concrete. Roman architecture inspired the design of the U.S. Capitol building!

Democracy v. Republic In a pure democracy, citizens have a direct say in decisions of government. In a republic, citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them. Use it to brainstorm the strengths an weaknesses for each system. Pure Democracy Republic Strengths Weaknesses This slide is optional, may be a good idea to do at the end of the lesson

US Government Roman Government Executive Branch: President Enforce laws Legislative Branch: Congress (House of Representatives and Senate) Makes laws Written Legal Code US Constitution Roman Government Executive Branch: Office of Consul Enforce laws Legislative Branch: Senate and Assembly of Centuries Makes laws Written Legal Code Twelve Tables