1. Geography and The Early Roman Republic*

2. Why is Italy a top tourist attraction for Americans?

3. Geography of Rome Relatively flat land or gently rolling hills
Many calm, winding rivers
Tiber River runs through Rome

4. Geography of Italy Alps covering the northern border to Italy
Fertile soil, mild climate

5. Geography of Rome Why? Peninsula Flat, fertile plains on the peninsula
Alps to the north
Rome is easier to unify than Greece
How might this make Rome different from Greece?
Why? *

6. Climate of Rome: “Mediterranean Climate”
Mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers
Winter High = 55 F
Winter Low = 38 F
Flat, Fertile Plains
Tiber River runs to the ocean.
How does the climate of Italy affect their ability to grow crops?
How does the geography help them farm? *

7. Trade in Rome How does the geography of Rome affect trade?
Flat, Fertile Plains
Calm rivers with no rapids
Relatively shallow rivers yet deep enough for boats
Peninsula surrounded on 3 sides by Med Sea
Central location in the Med Sea.
How does the geography of Rome affect trade? *

8. Protection Surrounded by water on three sides Alps to North
Rome not on ocean – located up the Tiber River
How did geography protect Rome from attack? *

9. Formation of Rome Video (6 min)
What are the qualities of Romulus and Remus?
Why would the Romans be proud of this creation story?

10. Etruscans
Etruscan Video (6 min)

11. 509 BCE: Roman Republic founded
The Romans (Latins) got rid of their hated Etruscan king and set up a republic
“A government of the People” *

12. ROME What is a republic? Citizens can vote for elected representatives
These representatives make laws and run the republic
They do this in a place called the senate (just like in our US government) *

13. People of Rome ROME Basically three classes of people: Patricians
Plebeians
Slaves *

14. Patricians: ROME Upper Class Landowners Inherited Power
Made the decisions
Allowed to run for and hold office *

15. The Senate was made up of 300 members who
served for life. They were Patricians, members
of the landholding upper class. *

16. WHY? The Senate elected 2 consuls each
year. They supervised the business
of government and commanded the
armies. They could only serve one
term.
WHY? *

17. WHY? In times of war, the Senate might choose a dictator, a ruler with
complete control
over the government
He had emergency powers for 6 months – then he had to give up power
WHY? *

18. Plebeians: ROME Working Class
Usually artisans, farmers , merchants, etc.
Had some power (the right to vote)
At first were not allowed to run for office
Far outnumbered the patricians *

19. Compare
Based on what you have learned so far, how is the republic of the United States similar and different from the Roman Republic?
The Patricians held the power in the Roman Republic.
Who holds the power in the United States? *

20. The Twelve Tables: ROME 451 BCE Tribunes write down laws
Laws carved on twelve tablets that become known as the Twelve Tables
Until this time patricians interpreted the laws to suit themselves because they weren’t formally written down *

21. *

22. Laws were posted in the Forum (marketplace)*

23. Eventually plebeians got the right to elect
their own representatives – Tribunes
They could veto, or block, laws they thought
were unjust but could not propose a new law to the Senate.. *

24. The common man got access to power and rights
for the first time without
war or revolt! *

25. Expansion
By 270 BC Rome ranged from the Rubicon River in the North to the very bottom tip of the peninsula *

26. Legions
Roman armies – citizen-soldiers – fought without pay – brought their own weapons – later on they became paid, professional soldiers
Legion – about men – basic unit *

27. Legions
Stressed discipline, honor, courage
harsh punishment *

28. Sections of the Army Legion - about 5000 men
Cohort – between 500 & 800 men
Century – Group of 100 men who fought as a unit

29. A Centurion
signifier *

30. Tortoise *