1. The Romans Create a Republic

2.  1. Located on the Italian Peninsula, which sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea  2. Natural barriers for protection: Alps to the north  3. Rome itself was built on the Tiber River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea

7.  4. Soil around Rome = Fertile  5. Lay of the land around Rome: city built on seven hills  6. Rome sits at the midpoint of the Mediterranean Sea which allowed for protections as well as sea-borne trade and commerce

10.  1. Latins – farmers, shepherds who settled along the Tiber River, a region called Latium  2. Etruscans- from Northern Italy – metalworkers and engineers, Romans adopted their alphabet and arch  3. Greeks – established colonies in Southern Italy and Sicily. Romans adopted their polytheistic religion.

12.  According to legend…. Romulus and Remus were children (descendants from a Trojan prince and the gods) abandoned on the Tiber River and raised by she-wolves. They founded Rome.

13.  1. Etruscan kings ruled and expanded Rome- agriculture, temples  2. Last king of Rome was a tyrant – Tarquin the Proud who was overthrown by aristocrats

14.  3. Established a Republic – definition: form of government in which power rests with citizens who vote for their leaders (freeborn males only in Rome)

15.  List similarities between Rome and Greece about how their government evolved to reach democracy/republic

16. 1. Patricians – aristocratic landowners who controlled most of the power  Inherited power and social status, allowed to make laws

17. 2. Plebians- common farmers, artisans, merchants who made up a majority of the population  citizens with the right to vote, but could not hold government position  Tribunes – elected representatives for Plebeians that served in the Senate

18. 3. Foreigners- could be citizens

19. 4. Slaves- no power, NOT based on race –prisoners of war

20.  1. Consuls- two officials who commanded army and directed government - limited power: term length – one year, power to veto each other

21.  2. Senate- aristocratic branch of government, 300 men from the upper class - term length – life membership, which provided continuity and stability -powers – influence over foreign affairs and domestic policy

23.  3. Assemblies – more democratic side of the government, two types - Centuriate Assembly – all citizen- soldiers for life - powers – 1. Selected consuls 2. made laws - Tribal Assembly – made up of plebeians - powers – 1. Elected Tribunes 2. made laws for commoners

25.  4. Dictator – served only in times of crisis for six months - chosen by consuls and elected by the Senate - powers – hard absolute power to make laws and command the army - EX: Cincinnatus

26.  1. Right to vote  2. Pay taxes  3. Serve in the military  First written code of Rome, serves as basis of Roman law – Twelve Tables