Chapter Six The Roman Republic Origins of Rome

Chapter Six: The Roman Republic

Origins of Rome n According to legend, founded in 753 BCE by Romulus & Remus What does this founding myth say about Rome?

What were the Advantages of Rome’s Geography? Not without reason did gods and men choose this spot for the site of our citythe hills, the river to bring us produce from the inland regions and sea-borne commerce from abroad, the sea itself, near enough for convenience yet not so near as to bring danger from foreign fleets, our situation in the very hear of Italy-all these advantages make it of all places in the world the best for a city destined to grow great. Livy, The Early History of Rome

The First Romans n n Latins, Greeks Etruscans all settled & fought for control of Italian Peninsula Latins built first true settlement- considered 1 st Romans

Greek Influence n n n Between 750 -600 BCE Greeks established colonies along southern Italy & Sicily Prosperous, commercial Established strong connection to Greek culture

Greek Coinage n n What images are on our coins? Greeks borrowed idea of using coins from Asia Minor Silver, bronze, electrum More efficient Scenes of gods, goddesses, sporting events

Greek Monumental Buildings n n Parthenon n n Temples made of marble Designed to represent Mt. Olympus Inspired awe Classical Greek values of harmony and proportion How did Greek architecture influence Roman architecture? Pantheon

Greek Mythology n n n Functioned as religion Conducted elaborate rituals & sacrifices to ensure favor Controlled all aspects of life: n founding of cities n healing the sick n winning battles How did Greek mythology influence Roman religion?

Major premise: All B is A. Minor premise: All C is B. Conclusion: All C is A. All Greeks are mortal. Socrates is Greek. Socrates is mortal. Or, Major premise: All birds fly Minor premise: Hawks are birds. Conclusion: Hawks fly. Greek Philosophy n n “love of wisdom” Tutors & students held symposia-discussed natural world Began as branch of science Developed into system of logic by Aristotle

Greek Pottery n n Valued for beauty & usefulness Black figures on red backgrounds Red figures on black backgrounds Greater detail in the figures

Greek Science n n Studied stars, music, math Pythagoras believed numbers & formulas controlled universe Pythagorean Theorem measured triangles Musical notes have progression

Greek Theater n n n Developed from religious rites Honored the gods Asked for successful harvest Evolved into festivals of song & dance each spring Dramas were outdoors in center of city Actors wore masks, music, costume changes & scenery

Greek Writing n n Written in all capital letters Laws & treaties carved into plaques made of stone or bronze Posted in public squares Personal writing was on papyrus

Etruscan Architecture Piers=pillar like bases Keystone Voussoirs=wedge-shaped stones Used for gates, Bridges, drains. How did Etruscan engineering influence Rome?

Etruscan Engineering n n n Long trench cut underground vertical shafts dug downward to meet it irrigated land by diverting water from a stream Used to drain water from very wet soil, carried water to cities How did Etruscan engineering influence Roman life?

Etruscan Government Fasces n n n Monarchy Bundle of sticks w/ ax Emblem of royal power Bundle of Sticks = Unity Ax = execute lawbreakers or anyone who threatened Roman Peace

Etruscan Metalworking n n Used copper, lead, iron, tin, silver, gold, bronze Tools, drinking vessels Urns, statues helmets

Etruscan Sculpture n n n Realistic Did not glorify human subjects Life size stone figures created for tombs of wealthy

Etruscan Social Organization n n n Etruria made up of city -states, ruled by king Wealthy lived on large estates Farmed, owned mines Men/women fairly equal Literate Dressed in togas Ate together at banquets

Etruscan Sporting Events n n n Developed from funeral practices & hunting large animals Gladiator combat came from funeral rituals Chariot racing began at Olympics in Greece How did Etruscan sporting event influence Roman life?

The Early Republic n n n Around 600 BCE, Etruscan king became king of Rome Villages grew became larger cities First temples & public centers-the Forumconstructed The Roman Forum: The Heart of Roman Political Life

Early Roman Republic n n n Romans drove out harsh Etruscan ruler, Tarquinius in 509 BCE Set up republic form of government No one person could become too powerful

What is a Republic? n n How did Rome’s government compare to Greece? Government in which power rests with citizens who vote for leaders In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was granted only to freeborn male citizens

The Senate: Who were Patricians? n n n n Landowners, oldest & richest families Inherited power & social status Held public office Performed religious rituals 300 members Served life terms Claimed ancestry gave them authority to make laws

Who were Plebeians? n n n Poorer citizens Paid taxes & served in army Lived in apartments Could not marry patricians Could not hold office If in debt, could be sold into slavery

Who were Consuls? n n n n n Two consuls-Chosen each year Headed the Republic Worked w/ Senate Administrators/Military leaders Each could veto acts of other Both had to agree before law was passed In charge of treasury Commanders in chief of army when at war Elected by Patricians

Did Rome have a dictator? n n n Cincinnatus Washington chosen during crisis complete control ruled for 6 mos Cincinnatus most admired dictator George Washington called “Cincinnatus of the West”

How did Plebeians Gain Rights? n n Went on strike Tribunes elected to represent Plebeians Veto power: blocked laws harmful to Plebeian class Forced Patricians to respect lower class

The Senate n n n 300 chosen for life Handled daily running of government Advised consuls Discussed foreign relations Proposed laws Approved public contracts for building roads & temples

Other Government Officials? n n Judges, Tribunes, Assemblies Tribunes protected rights of plebeians All citizens belonged to assembly Assembly made war & peace

Women Patricians Men who owned large amounts of land Plebeians Peasant farmers and craftsmen Slaves Citizens Assembly: The two groups met here and voted for the following groups Two Consuls: They governed the city. Elected for one year only. Both had to agree with each other to make a decision Magistrates: Their job was to look after the money of Rome. They were also judges. Tribunes: They protected the interests of ordinary people against unfair treatment Senate: Magistrates retired to the Senate. They advised Consuls. They had the most control & influence on the Roman Republic

Roman Law: The Twelve Tables n n n n In 450 BCE, plebeians forced Patricians to write laws in stone & place in Forum Protection of law applied to all-plebeians & patricians Innocent until proven guilty Accused allowed to face accusers & defend themselves Judges interpret law-make fair decisions People have rights that no government can take away Foundation for all future Roman Laws & basis of all Western Law & US Civil Rights

Roman Law n n n Laws from the Twelve Tables Females shall remain in guardianship even when they have attained their majority (except Vestal Virgins). A spendthrift is forbidden to exercise administration over his own goods. It is permitted to gather fruit falling down on another man's farm. If any person has sung or composed against another person a song such as was causing slander or insult to another, he shall be clubbed to death. Quickly kill. . . a dreadfully deformed child.

The Roman Army: n n Highly valued All landowning citizens required to serve Organized into legions (infantry) Cavalry supported them

Roman Army: Legions n n n • SPQR acronym (The Senate & People of Rome) well-trained, well fed, state-of the art citizen-soldiers Legion- 3, 000 -5, 000 foot soldiers Loyal, courageous, fearless Technology/weapons-the corbiss 270 BCE Rome dominated peninsula

Rome Spreads Its Power n n n n By 265, controlled Italian Peninsula Defeated Etruscans & Greeks Tolerant toward conquered peoples Imposed different laws & treatment for different parts of conquered territory Some full citizenship Others partial-no voting rights Others became allies of Rome Tolerant policies helped Rome expand

Expansion in Italy: Conquered Lands n n Treated people fairly Conquered peoples forced to: Honor the Senate n Pay taxes n Supply soldiers for Rome’s legions n

Expansion in Italy: Conquered Lands n Rome’s promise to conquered peoples: Keep customs n Keep form of money n Keep local government n

Expansion in Italy: Conquered Peoples n n n Respected local culture Granted full citizenship to some peoples Usually gained the full support of conquered people n Not the Jews

Expansion in Italy: Protection & Unification n n n Roman legions placed in conquered lands Needed to make troop movement easily Soldiers/slaves built roads Increased trade Spread Roman culture Latin incorporated

Rome’s Commercial Success n n Central location gave easy access to regions around Mediterranean Traded wine, olive oil for food, raw materials, manufactured goods

Winning an Empire: Rivalry w/ Carthage City-state on coast of N. Africa settled by Phoenicians n Modern day Tunis n Dominated trade in Mediterranean n Jealous of Rome’s expansion n Worried Rome would become better traders

Wars with Carthage: Punic Wars 264 -146 BCE n n Series of wars Punic = Latin for punicus (Phoenician) Carthaginian General n Hamilcar Barca n Great leader & general of 1 st Punic War Sworn enemy of Rome

Wars with Carthage: Punic Wars 264 -146 BCE n Hannibal Barca n Son of Hamilcar n Brilliant military leader n Took oath at age 9 to destroy Rome n Became leader & general of Carthage after Hamilcar’s death

Wars with Carthage: 1 st Punic War (264 -241 BCE) n n n Fought over control of Sicily Carthage great naval power Rome had no navy but built a fleet Rome won Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia Carthage humiliated-forced to surrender its entire treasury forced to agree to keep ships out of Roman waters

2 nd Punic War (218 – 201 BCE) n n n Hannibal wanted revenge From Spain, marched army w/ elephants through Pyrenees, across France, over Alps into Northern Italy Tremendous losses but gained new recruits from tribes he encountered that feared Rome Surprised Rome, conquered most of Northern peninsula Could not conquer Rome itself

2 nd Punic War (218 – 201 BCE) n n Hannibal’s armies kill 20% of Rome’s population-cannot defeat Rome Scipio launches a brilliant counterattack on Carthage Hannibal forced to return to Carthage to defend Carthage defeated at battle of Zama

2 nd Punic War (218 – 201 BCE) n Peace treaty ends the 2 nd Punic War Carthage gives up all land claims on Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica n Massive tribute (penalty taxes) paid n Rome recognized as master of the Mediterranean Sea n

Third Punic War n n Rome invented excuse to attack Carthage again though it was weak Rome sent soldiers-siege for two years Eventually Rome won & “salted the earth” so Carthage could never rival Rome again After that, Rome turned east & defeated Macedonia

Summary: Roman Expansion n Three Stages n Conquest of Italy n Conflict with Carthage & expansion into western Mediterranean Sea n Domination of Hellenistic kingdoms in the eastern Mediterranean

From Republic to Empire n n As Rome grew, its republican form of government grew increasingly unstable Eventually the republic gave way to an imperial a dictatorship that continued to spread Roman influence