“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” ROME “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears”
Geography Alps Mediterranean Sea Harbors, inland trade Apennines Mts. Economics Rivers, swamps
Founding of Rome Legend of Romulus and Remus The Latins, the Tiber River and the seven hills Greek colonies Agriculture Grapes and olives Art Religion Architecture Government
The Etruscans Natives of northern Italy Gifts from the Etruscans: Roads Swamps Weapons Arch Alphabet Triumph
600bce Etruscan became king of Rome First temples and public buildings Palatine hill and the Forum 509bce – Romans overthrow the last Etruscan king
The Republic Republic – power rests with the citizens who have the right to vote to select their leaders Power struggle: Patricians Plebeians Twelve Tables Written code of laws Basis of later laws All free citizens had a right to protection of the law
Government under the Republic Consuls (2) Executive branch Commander-in-chief Praetors (8) Judicial branch Judges Civil and criminal courts
Republic Government cont. Senate (300) Legislative branch Patricians $$$ Centuriate Assembly Citizen soldiers Tribal Assembly (35 tribes) Plebeians Tribunes (10)
The Roman Army Landowners 10 year service Legions – 5,000 men Centuries – 80 men Equipment Armor, helmet, shield, sword, dagger, throwing spear, cooking pot, and clothing Self-sufficient
Punic Wars 264-146bce By 265bce Romans controlled the Italian peninsula Carthage: Commercial empire on north African coast Controlled Sicily Romans feared Carthage Carthage navy Roman land advantage
First Punic War, 264-241bce Rome lacked a navy Rome used land tactics at sea Carthage asked for peace Indemnity Sicily
Second Punic War, 218-202bce Hannibal’s army Hannibal’s debacle Infantry, cavalry, war elephants Hannibal’s debacle Hannibal spent 15 years living off the land, harassing the countryside, attacking Romans, but . . . Scipio Carthage asked for peace: Indemnity Spanish colonies
Third Punic War, 149-146bce Cato and the Senate Senate’s decision Roman conquest Result: Rome Controls the Mediterranean Sea