THE ROMAN REPUBLIC CHAPTER 8 SECTION 1
KEY TERMS Republic Patrician Plebian Consul Veto Dictator
INTRODUCTION Romulus and Remus Children of a princess and Mars (Roman god of War) Jealous king feared they would take power, he ordered them drowned Gods protected infants, had a wolf rescue them, raised by shepherd Twins grew up to rule the seven hills of Rome.
ROME’S GEOGRAPHY AND EARLY SETTLEMENT Fertile Soil Large Hills easy for defense Tiber River – flows through Rome and empties into the Tyrrhenian sea Center of a long, narrow peninsula Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea
THE ETRUSCANS We know very little about founders of Rome First settlements in 900 B.C. 600 B.C. Etruscans held power
THE ETRUSCANS (CONT..) The Etruscans Ruled as Kings Tarquinius Superbus Overthrown by Romans in 509 B.C. Harsh ruler No more etruscan rulers Some historians debate this. Many roman gods originally etruscan gods Roman Toga, alphabet adopted from the Etruscans
PEOPLES OF ANCIENT ITALY
ROMANS FORM A REPUBLIC Romans don’t trust Kings 264 B.C. Romans gained control of entire Italian Peninsula Created a Republic Citizens have the right to vote, select their own leaders
THE ROMAN SENATE Senate is most powerful form of government Voted on laws 300 upper-class Patricians Plebians could NOT hold office or be senators
THE ROMAN CONSULS 2 Consuls led the Country similar to the President Enforced the law Elected by the people Senate advised Consuls on foreign affairs, laws, and finances. Only ruled for 1 year
THE ROMANS CONSULS (CONT…) Plebians Could NOT be Consuls before 367 B.C. Consuls did what the Senate wanted. Power divided equally Veto = “I forbid” IF one veto’ed THEN nothing would be done.
OTHER IMPORTANT OFFICIALS Just in case Consuls didn’t act, Romans allowed for Dictators to handle emergency situations Praetors: Important officials Served as judges Trials for money, business, contracts
PATRICIANS VS. PLEBEIANS Patricians Leaders Fight to control government Wealthy from conquest Had land/slaves Plebeians Wanted respect and fair treatment Didn’t trust gov. Many were jobless Refused to fight in army
PATRICIANS VS PLEBEIANS (CONT…) Plebeians get their demand Twelve Tables Written code of Laws Equality for all citizens Hung in marketplace for all to see This is only a small victory
MASTER OF THE MEDITERRANEAN Roman armies are expanding Invaded Carthage (N. Africa) Drove Carthaginians from Spain, destroyed Carthage in 146 B.C. Conquered Greece and Gaul (France).
MASTERS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
THE DECLINE OF THE REPUBLIC 120 B.C. Some Plebeian Leaders tried to break up large land and give it to Plebeians, Patricians fought back 75 years Roman armies take control, Consuls are not respected Civil War
RISE OF JULIUS CAESAR 58 to 51 B.C. Caesar leads army that conquered Gaul Won the respect of his soldiers In 49 B.C. Caesar violated military assignment War between Caesar and Pompey
RISE OF JULIUS CAESAR (CONT…) Caesar becomes dictator in 48 B.C. Dictator can only serve in Rome for six months Caesar gets rid of the republic, he replaces the Senate.
DEATH OF A DICTATOR Civil war lasted for 4 years 45 B.C. Caesar becomes only Consul 44 B.C. Caesar becomes dictator for life Rome has a King? People hate Kings…
DEATH OF A DICTATOR (CONT…) March 15 th, 44 B.C. Caesar plans to go to Senate meeting Senators kill him He had gone too far and too fast gained power.
FROM REPUBLIC TO EMPIRE More Civil war followed Caesar’s death Caesar’s son Octavian becomes the first Emperor of Rome. Augustus = “Highly respected” Lasted 500 years
FROM REPUBLIC TO EMPIRE From city-state to holding vast territory Largest gov. in the World The people no longer make choices, the Emperor does.