1. 12/3 Focus:
The Romans established a new form of government known as a republic
The Romans influenced many of the values and institutions of western civilization.
Do Now:
Identify the type of government found in the United States

2. Ancient Rome
The Roman Republic

3. Review
What were some of the geographic characteristics associated with the Italian Peninsula?

4. Review
What were some of the geographic advantages of Rome’s location in Italy?

5. Early History of Rome The Legend of Romulus and Remus
Legend states that the city of Rome was founded by two twins, Romulus and Remus.
Twins were abandoned near the Tiber River and raised by a she-wolf
Romulus kills Remus and starts Rome

6. Early History of Rome 3 groups that influenced early Rome Greeks
Established colonies in Italy and Sicily
Shared their gods with the Romans
Art, literature, and architecture influenced Romans
Etruscans
Shared augury, arches, blood sports
Latins
First to settle in Rome

7. The Roman Monarchy Kings ruled Rome from 753 B.C. to 509 BC
Romulus was the first king
3 more Latin kings
Last three kings were Etruscan

8. Seven Kings

9. Tarquin the Proud 7th and last king of Rome Etruscan
Hated by the Romans
His son Sextus was accused of raping a Roman noblewoman named Lucretia, who then committed suicide out of shame
Tarquin and his son were driven out of Rome in 509 BC
Republic followed!

10. SPQR
New logo
Senate &
People
Of Rome

11. The Roman Republic Republic
A form of government in which elected officials govern the state
power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders
Indirect democracy or representative democracy
Rome allowed free-born male citizens to participate in elections
Women could not vote

12. The Roman Republic Patricians
Aristocratic landowners who held most power in Rome
Made up 10% of the population
Said to be decended from the original 100 families of Romulus’ city
Ran the government and made the laws

13. Patricians and Plebeians
Farmers, artisans, and merchants
Majority in Rome
Were barred from holding most government positions

14. Secession of the Plebeians 494 BC
A plebian revolt in which the plebeians left the city of Rome, essentially going on strike, until the Patricians granted them more rights

15. Secession of the Plebeians 494 BC
Plebeians demanded more rights in Rome from the patricians
Lex Hortensia: a law that said that any law passed by the Plebians would apply to all Roman citizens
Plebeian Council
Allowed to elect their own assembly
Tribunes
Officials elected to protect the rights of plebeians
Could veto laws that were unjust to plebeians

16. The Twelve Tables of Rome
First written code of law in Rome
Plebeians demanded laws of Rome be written down
Laws were carved on twelve bronze tablets and displayed in the Roman Forum
Established the principle that all free citizens had the right to protection of the law

17. Roman Government Consuls
2 consuls nominated by the Senate and elected by the assembly for 1 year
Chief executives and commanded the army

18. Roman Government Senate 300 patrician men Served for life
Controlled finances and foreign relations
Advised consuls

19. Roman Government Assemblies Tribal Assembly and Centuriate Assembly
Made laws and elected officials
Gaius Gracchus, tribune of the people, presiding over the Plebeian Council

21. Roman Government
In times of crisis, the republic could appoint a dictator to rule Rome.
Dictator
a leader who has absolute power
Could only rule for six months
Were chosen by the consul and elected by the Senate
Cincinnatus

22. Cincinnatus Considered the ideal dictator
Worked as a farmer until an invasion prompted his fellow citizens to elect him dictator
Performed the job and immediately went back to his farm

23. The Roman Forum The center of life in Rome
Marketplace and civic center
Senate met in the forum
Public speeches were given here
Site of many businesses

24. Closure
What is the difference between a republic and a direct democracy?
What was the difference between patricians and plebeians?
How are the Twelve Tables of Rome and Hammurabi’s Code similar?