Early Rome and the Republic Ancient Rome Chapter 6 Early Rome and the Republic

The Legend of Romulus and Remus Rhea was married to Mars, the Roman god of war. Rhea had twin sons. She loved her boys, but there were plots afoot by other gods and goddesses to harm her father, herself, her husband, and her children. To protect the boys, she set them adrift on the river, hoping someone would find them. Who would not love such beautiful boys? Sure enough, first they were found by a she-wolf who fed them. Then a shepherd and his wife adopted the boys.  As the twins grew older, they decided they did not want to take care of sheep. They wanted to be kings. They decided to build a city on the shores of the Tiber. They both wanted to be the only king. They quarreled. In a fit of rage, Romulus picked up a rock, killed his brother, and made himself king.  That’s how Rome started.

The Geography of Italy A Land of Geographic Differences Italy: “boot shaped” peninsula Alps mountains, Mediterranean Sea, island of Sicily, island of Sardinia, Apennine Mountains, Po River, Arno River, Tiber River

Climate and Agriculture climate: cold to subtropical poorly suited for agriculture Po River valley – good for farmland grapes & olives location helped sea trade

Influences on Early Rome twin brothers Romulus & Remus founded Rome on the Tiber river April 23, 753bc Latin people were farmers & herders then became traders Etruscan people – central Italy, came from Asia Minor 800bc, had written language & taught Romans about art & architecture Romans adopted many elements of Greek culture

The Roman Monarchy 7 kings of Rome met with a council of advisors Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, last king, ruled harshly 509bc wealthy noble Lucius Junius Brutus led revolt

Lucius Junius Brutus

Establishing a Republic The Government of Republican Rome REPUBLIC – a government in which much of the power is held by elected representative; latin for res publica “property of the people” voters chose representatives

The Government of Republican Rome based on tradition, not a written constitution two people elected at consuls each year, proposed laws, led army, one had VETO power over the other – to stop the passage of a law

The Government of Republican Rome MAGISTRATES – government official, consuls most important, praetors (judiciary), aediles (supervised marketplace), questors (financial officers), censors (counted people every 5 years) – most offices 1 year terms

The Government of Republican Rome SENATE – council of representatives; made up of PATRICIANS – descendants of founding families of Rome, upper class, ran government PLEBEIANS – commoners, controlled tribal assembly, made up military

The Government of Republican Rome 450bc plebeians elected TRIBUNES – plebeian official who could attend meetings of the assembly; forced patricians to publish written laws, 451bc first Roman code of law Twelve Tables

Twelve Tables