1. Section 1 Part 2 Political Structures and Punic Wars
Ancient Rome
Section 1
Part 2 Political Structures and Punic Wars

2. Roman Political Structure
Rome was made up of:
Patricians
Plebeians

3. Patricians Wealthy landowners who became Rome’s ruling class
Could vote
Could be elected to office

4. Plebeians
Less wealthy landowners, small farmers, crafts people, and merchants
Could vote
Could not be elected to office

5. Chief Executive Officers
Consuls
2 chosen every year
Ran the government
Led army into battle
Praetor
In charge of laws that applied to Roman citizens (civil laws)

6. Roman Senate Made up of 300 patricians Served for life
In the beginning its only role was to advise the government
Later it had the force of law

7. Struggle for Order Conflict between patricians and plebeians
Plebeians wanted political and social equality
Eventually led to success for plebeians

8. Roman Law Twelve Tables 1st written set of laws Publically displayed
Protected right of all citizens
Law of Nations
Laws for both Romans and non-Romans
Based on natural laws or laws based on reason
Example: Person accused allowed to defend themselves or person innocent until proven guilty

9. Twelve Table

10. Roman Expansion
After Rome’s conquest of Italy, they looked to new areas
One area was Carthage

11. Carthage Found on the northern coast of Africa
By 800 BC had an enormous trading empire in the western Meditteranean
Had colonies from Spain to Sicily
Largest and richest state in the area

13. Punic Wars - Background
Between Rome and Carthage
Three Punic Wars
The Carthage presence in Sicily made the Romans fearful

14. First Punic War War over Sicily
Carthage had control over Sicily and the Romans were fearful because Sicily was too close to the Italy coast
Rome built a large navy and defeated Carthage
Sicily became the first Roman province

16. 2nd Punic War Carthage brought war to Rome
Carthage was led by Hannibal, the greatest Carthaginian general
Used horse and elephants in battle. All the 37 elephants died
No match for the Roman leader, Scipio, who crushed Hannibal’s forces and Rome won the war.

18. 3rd Punic War Occurred 50 years later in Carthage
Carthage was destroyed by burning the entire city down
Inhabitants sold into slavery
Carthage becomes a roman province called Africa
Romans win the war

19. Activity #2 Get a book Turn to Page 150-151
Review the information on the Punic Wars
Illustrate a poster on one of the wars
Must include:
Which war
Lots of color
Who won
Example: Naval battle over Sicily (war #1), elephant battle in Rome (war #2), or burning of Carthage in Africa (war #3)