1. Classical Rome

2. Classical Rome Romulus & Remus 753 BC Legendary founders of Rome
“Rome” comes from “Romulus”

3. Origins
Overlaps with and is interrelated with Greece, geographically, chronologically, culturally, and politically
Rome was built on 7 hills
Rome is built around the Tiber River
Early Roman society was a monarchy

4. Classical Rome There were 7 Kings, mostly good
Last King, Tarquin the Proud, was cruel
King’s abused power and in 509 BCE the people overthrew the monarchy and formed the Republic

5. Rome’s early road system
Classical Rome
Rome’s early road system

6. The Roman Republic (509 BC)
Included Patricians (Aristocrats) & Plebeians (Commoners)

7. The Roman Republic New Government favoured the Plebeians
Consul - Rulers of Rome
There were Two, elected by the people.
Senate - Representative body for patricians
Senators chosen by Consuls
Society and Laws protected the rights of the Patricians

8. The Plebeians The majority of Romans They also made up the army
494 BCE refused to fight until granted political rights
Plebeians allowed to elect representatives - Council of the Plebs
Ultimately any law passed by Plebeians would be equal to all laws.

9. Roman society
Roman society was based on an agrarian lifestyle which consisted mostly of Latifundia (large plantations) owned & farmed by coloni (free farmers).
The coloni exemplified the Roman traits that made Rome great.

10. The Law of the Twelve Tables (450 BC)
450 BCE - The Twelve Tables are created
They were created to address Plebeian Concerns
Both in terms of equality before the law and property rights
First recorded Roman Law Code