1. Ancient Rome Rome: located in modern Italy
Peninsula- which prevented most invasion
Rome ruled by wealthy Etruscan family until they were overthrown by the people who declared Rome a republic!
Republic = representative government
Began as a Republic in 509 B.C.E.

2. Roman Republic
Distinctive division between citizens and non-citizens, those with no civil rights
Some of the people voted to elect political leaders
Both patricians (wealthy) and plebeians (less wealthy class) could vote
Executive and Legislative branch of government
Executive: Office of Consul took care of day-to-day operations
Legislative: Senate and Assembly of Centuries
Made laws for the republic
Only males of the patrician (aristocratic class) could hold political office
How is this similar to our political system in the United States today? Different?

3. Roman Law The Twelve Tables:
12 bronze tablets engraved with Roman law and placed throughout the republic so the law could be applied to ALL
Roman legal concepts are reflected in later Western civilization legal documents and traditions
right to a "trial by a jury of your peers“
idea of “innocent until proven guilty“
right to “equality before the law“

4. Augustus Caesar 27 B.C.E. to 14 C.E.
Took power away from the Senate and became the sole lawmaker
Ended the representative government of the republic & transitioned Rome to an empire
Began a period of peace in Rome known as the “Pax Romana”
a time of advanced education, architecture, and religion
This peace lasted for 200 years!

5. Roman Empire
Senate remained but the emperor (and large bureaucracy) held the power
Under imperial rule, Rome thrived economically and an aristocratic class of large landed estate owners developed
How was the Roman Empire different than the Roman Republic?
Which was a better way to govern?

6. Roads
The Romans built thousands of miles of road to connect the entire empire.

7. Aqueducts The Romans were the first to build aqueducts.
The provided running water, indoor plumbing and a sewer system
Allowed rural areas more access to water and plumbing

8. Monumental Structures
One of the things the Romans are most famous for is their architecture.
A lot of new ideas in architecture
the arch
baked brick
use of cement and concrete.
Roman architecture inspired the design of the U.S. Capitol building!

11. Roman Government US Government Executive Branch: President
Enforce laws
Legislative Branch: Congress (House of Representatives and Senate)
Makes laws
Written Legal Code
US Constitution
Roman Government
Executive Branch: Office of Consul
Enforce laws
Legislative Branch: Senate and Assembly of Centuries
Makes laws
Written Legal Code
Twelve Tables