Unit 3 Ancient Rome Part I: The Romans Create a Republic

History Legend of Romulus and Remus (753 B.C.) Influenced by Greeks and Etruscans –Greek gods, agriculture –Etruscan writing, architecture

Last Roman king kicked out 509 BC Romans establish a REPUBLIC – A FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN WHICH POWER RESTS WITH CITIZENS WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE TO SELECT THEIR LEADERS

Government People in Rome are either: PLEBEIANS – COMMON FARMERS, ARTISANS, AND MERCHANTS or PATRICIANS – WEALTHY LANDOWNERS

Only free male citizens vote Most people/voters are plebeians Plebeians are not allowed to hold high government positions

Plebeians were not treated fairly Tribunes were elected to protect the rights of plebeians In 451 BC, Tribunes create the 12 TABLES –A written code of laws that established the idea that all free citizens have a right to protection under laws

Government Branches Rome’s government was a mix of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy Two Consuls (executive) led the army and government SENATE (legislative) – 300 PEOPLE WHO WERE THE GOVERNING BODY Praetors (judicial) were judges

In times of crisis, the Republic could appoint a DICTATOR – A LEADER WHO HAD ABSOLUTE POWER TO MAKE LAWS AND COMMAND THE ARMY They had to be chosen by consuls and senate They could only rule for 6 months Look at chart on page 143

Military All male landowners had to serve Roman soldiers were grouped into LEGIONS – LARGE MILITARY UNITS Military was very important to Rome’s rise

Rome Expands War with Carthage over access to the Mediterranean Rome and Carthage fought the Punic Wars from 264 to 146 B.C. 1 st war goes to Rome 2 nd war sees HANNIBAL – A CARTHAGINIAN GENERAL vs. SCIPIO – A ROMAN GENERAL

Hannibal fought hard for about 15 years, but was finally defeated 3 rd War saw Carthage completely destroyed

Unit 3 Ancient Rome Part II: Changes in the Roman Empire

Problems Arise Gap between the rich and poor grows –Homeless –Unemployed –Poor (1/4) –Slaves (1/3 of pop.)

Rome falls into a CIVIL WAR - CONFLICT BETWEEN GROUPS WITHIN THE SAME COUNTRY

1 st Punic War War started in 264 B.C. 3 Wars fought between 264 and 146 B.C. 1 st war was for control of Sicily, and lasted 23 years ( B.C.) Rome defeated Carthage in 1 st Punic War 2 nd Punic War begins in 218 B.C. 29-year-old Carthaginian general named Hannibal led the army against Rome

2 nd Punic War Hannibal had an army of 50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry, and 60 elephants To surprise the Romans, he led his army around Italy and came down through the Alps For a decade he terrorized Italy Won important battle of Cannae in 216 B.C. Never captured Rome

Julius Caesar ROMAN GENERAL WHO BECAME DICTATOR IN 46 BC Becomes consul in 59 BC Spends next 10 years building up troops/support across Empire Returns to Rome in 46 BC Appointed dictator

Caesar was an ABSOLUTE RULER – ONE WHO HAS TOTAL POWER Made many important changes for poor People love him; senators hate him “Ides of March” –March 15, 44 BC –Stabbed to death in senate chamber by senators

3 rd Punic War B.C. Carthage no longer a real threat to Rome Senator Cato ended all his speeches with “Carthage must be destroyed” 149 B.C. Rome laid siege to Carthage 146 B.C. Carthage was set afire and the remaining 50,000 citizens sold into slavery

The Republic falls, The Empire Begins Mark Antony and AUGUSTUS – CAESAR’S NEPHEW WHO BECAME A GREAT EMPEROR quickly take control Antony and Augustus become rivals Antony defeated at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC

Augustus becomes emperor His rule starts the PAX ROMANA – PERIOD OF ROMAN PEACE AND PROSPERITY FROM 27 BC TO 180 AD

The Roman Empire 3 million square miles 70 million people 1 million in Rome itself 90% of people farm Massive trade network using roads

“Bread and Circuses” Huge gaps between rich and poor continue to grow Government provides free entertainment to distract the poor from their problems GLADIATORS – PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS – fought to the death to entertain the masses.

Unit 3: Ancient Rome Factors in the Decline of Rome

Political Political office seen as burden, not reward Military interference in politics Civil war and unrest Division of empire by DIOCLETIAN – THE ROMAN EMPEROR WHO SPLIT ROME EAST AND WEST IN LATE 200s Moving of capital to Byzantium (renamed CONSTANTINOPLE – THE NEW CAPITAL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE – 330 AD)

Social Decline in interest in public affairs Low confidence in empire Disloyalty, lack of patriotism, corruption Contrast between rich and poor

Economic Poor harvests Disruption of trade No more war plunder Gold and silver drain INFLATION - A RISE IN THE PRICE OF GOODS, COUPLED WITH A DECLINE IN THE VALUE OF MONEY

Economic Cont. High taxes Widening gap between rich and poor, especially in the West.

Military Threat from northern European tribes Low funds for defense Problems recruiting Roman soldiers; recruiting of MERCENARIES – FOREIGN SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT FOR MONEY

Military Cont. Decline of patriotism and loyalty among soldiers

Immediate Cause Invasion of and destruction of Rome by ‘barbarians’