Geography and The Early Roman Republic *

Why is Italy a top tourist attraction for Americans?

Geography of Rome Relatively flat land or gently rolling hills Many calm, winding rivers Tiber River runs through Rome

Geography of Italy Alps covering the northern border to Italy Fertile soil, mild climate

Geography of Rome Why? Peninsula Flat, fertile plains on the peninsula Alps to the north Rome is easier to unify than Greece How might this make Rome different from Greece? Why? *

Climate of Rome: “Mediterranean Climate” Mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers Winter High = 55 F Winter Low = 38 F Flat, Fertile Plains Tiber River runs to the ocean. How does the climate of Italy affect their ability to grow crops? How does the geography help them farm? *

Trade in Rome How does the geography of Rome affect trade? Flat, Fertile Plains Calm rivers with no rapids Relatively shallow rivers yet deep enough for boats Peninsula surrounded on 3 sides by Med Sea Central location in the Med Sea. How does the geography of Rome affect trade? *

Protection Surrounded by water on three sides Alps to North Rome not on ocean – located up the Tiber River How did geography protect Rome from attack? *

Formation of Rome Video (6 min) What are the qualities of Romulus and Remus? Why would the Romans be proud of this creation story?

Etruscans Etruscan Video (6 min)

509 BCE: Roman Republic founded The Romans (Latins) got rid of their hated Etruscan king and set up a republic “A government of the People” *

ROME What is a republic? Citizens can vote for elected representatives These representatives make laws and run the republic They do this in a place called the senate (just like in our US government) *

People of Rome ROME Basically three classes of people: Patricians Plebeians Slaves *

Patricians: ROME Upper Class Landowners Inherited Power Made the decisions Allowed to run for and hold office *

The Senate was made up of 300 members who served for life. They were Patricians, members of the landholding upper class. *

WHY? The Senate elected 2 consuls each year. They supervised the business of government and commanded the armies. They could only serve one term. WHY? *

WHY? In times of war, the Senate might choose a dictator, a ruler with complete control over the government He had emergency powers for 6 months – then he had to give up power WHY? *

Plebeians: ROME Working Class Usually artisans, farmers , merchants, etc. Had some power (the right to vote) At first were not allowed to run for office Far outnumbered the patricians *

Compare Based on what you have learned so far, how is the republic of the United States similar and different from the Roman Republic? The Patricians held the power in the Roman Republic. Who holds the power in the United States? *

The Twelve Tables: ROME 451 BCE Tribunes write down laws Laws carved on twelve tablets that become known as the Twelve Tables Until this time patricians interpreted the laws to suit themselves because they weren’t formally written down *

*

Laws were posted in the Forum (marketplace) *

Eventually plebeians got the right to elect their own representatives – Tribunes They could veto, or block, laws they thought were unjust but could not propose a new law to the Senate.. *

The common man got access to power and rights for the first time without war or revolt! *

Expansion By 270 BC Rome ranged from the Rubicon River in the North to the very bottom tip of the peninsula *

Legions Roman armies – citizen-soldiers – fought without pay – brought their own weapons – later on they became paid, professional soldiers Legion – about 5000 men – basic unit *

Legions Stressed discipline, honor, courage harsh punishment *

Sections of the Army Legion - about 5000 men Cohort – between 500 & 800 men Century – Group of 100 men who fought as a unit

A Centurion signifier *

Tortoise *