The Roman Republic

Before the Romans…

• Various civilizations across the peninsula

• Latins in 800 BCE– Legend: Romulus &

Remus and the founding of Rome

• The most influential on Romans (later) were the Etruscans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA1D9wd29jI

Etruscan Writing

Romans Establish a Republic

• Res Republica ~ Latin for “that which belongs to the people”–One of ancient Rome’s greatest

contributions to our modern world–Lasts for nearly 500 years beginning in

509 BCE

Basic Terms

• Patrician: landowning upper class (aristocrats)

• Plebian: farmers, merchants, artisans, traders–Most of population

• Assembly: group of persons gathered for a specific, common reason

The Senate• In the early Republic, Senate controlled

by and made up of patricians only• Duties & Privileges–served for life–elected officials–passed laws–determined foreign policy–acted as a court

The Forum - Then and Now

Consuls• Each year, two were nominated by the

Senate from the Patrician class• Checks put on their power–could serve only one term–had to approve one another’s

decisions• In war, the Senate chose a dictator–granted absolute power for 6 months

Plebians Fight for their Rights• Tribunes – elected officials of the Plebians–protected interests of the Plebians–could veto laws seen as harmful to them

• Called for Rome’s laws to be written and published–Twelve Tablets

• Over time, chosen as Consuls and allowed into the Senate

Roman Republic Grows

• By 270 BCE, controlled most of Italian Peninsula–Use citizen-soldiers in groups called

Legions• Treated defeated enemies with justice• Italy begins to unite under Roman rule

Policy of Imperialism

• Control over foreign lands and people• Punic Wars ~ 264-146 BCE–Fought (and defeated) Carthage 3

times• Moved into Eastern Mediterranean–Called the Mediterranean Mare

Nostrum (“Our Sea”)

Impacts of Imperialism at Home• Rome becomes very rich• widespread use of slave labor on

Latifundias–huge estates with large farm tracts–hurt small farmers–jobless/landless move into cities

• greed and self interest replaced traditional Roman values

Roman Republic Declines

• series of civil wars–At issue – Who should hold power?

• established Legions had more loyalty to commanders–rival commanders marched their

armies into Rome to advance their own ambitions

Enter… Julius Caesar