Early Rome THE ROMAN REPUBLIC Origins of Rome

Early Rome THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

Origins of Rome – Ideal Location In middle of Italian Peninsula, near Mediterranean Sea and Alps Mts. - provided trade access and protection On hills at a curve of Tiber River - provided protection and fertile soil as well as trade At midpoint of Mediterranean Sea - gave wide range of access to influence and commerce

Modern Physical Map

Original groups to influence Rome Latins built first settlement that would become city of Rome, and these settlers would become known as first Romans Greek colonies on coast of Italy and Sicily spread Greek culture through Italian region Etruscans to the north also contributed to culture, like alphabet and architectural skills like the arch Rome became city in 600 s BC Happened under kingship of Etruscans city was over 500 sq. miles with temples and public buildings, like the Forum (heart of Roman political life)

Ruins of the Forum of Rome

Rome Becomes a Republic Romans established a republic in 509 BC Roman people didn’t want to bow to a king ever again Republic – form of government in which power rests with the citizens, by giving them right to vote for leaders Power was shared between patricians and plebians Voting rights granted only to free-born male citizens Citizenship granted to free residents based on native birth or naturalization by law Patricians were aristocrats and had most power Plebians were the majority and common citizens Had little power until gaining right to elect tribunes (officials elected to represent & protect rights of the common people)

Patrician vs. Plebian Clothing, with Soldier and Slave shown in the middle

Twelve Tables made in 451 BC Written laws hung in Forum for all to see – helped ensure equal protection under the law of all citizens Became basis for later Roman law

Rome’s Government had many Parts Consuls were two king-like leaders that commanded the military and led the government; elected to oneyear terms, could only serve once per ten years, & could veto each other Dictator was selected during times of crisis to have absolute power to make laws and command the army only up to six months at a time; chosen by consuls and elected by senate Senate was legislative body with administrative functions, composed of 300 (later more) elected representatives Originally could only include patricians; later plebians too Members get life terms Had HUGE influence over policy at home and abroad

The Roman Senate

Government continued �Assemblies were large democratic groups of certain categories of citizens � Centuriate Assembly included all citizen-soldiers for life – voted on war and peace, helped select consuls, and elected military magistrates • Magistrates are officials who administer the law � Tribal Assembly included all citizens for life, grouped according to where they lived – elected tribunes and nonmilitary magistrates; made laws for the common people • Eventually got power to make laws for whole republic

Roman Government and Society Assemblies Elected the officials, like magistrates; voted on laws that were suggested by officials; declared war or peace

Rome’s Military – Well-organized and powerful Land-owning citizens required to serve in army Soldiers organized into legions, which were divided into centuries Legion – 5, 000 heavily-armed infantry (foot soldiers) and supported by cavalry (soldiers on horseback) Century – 80 men and leader called a centurian

Rome Trades and Conquers Roman legions had gained control of nearly all the Italian Peninsula by 265 BC Gave full or limited citizenship to many conquered people and made some mostly independent allies –helped ensure empire would be long-lasting Punic Wars (series of three wars between Rome and Carthage) lasted 264 – 146 BC Rome came into conflict with Carthage, a powerful trading city with territory in Northern African and Mediterranean islands, due to competition for trade around the Mediterranean First war, over control of the island of Sicily and western Mediterranean, began in 264 BC and lasted 23 years – Rome won

Punic Wars continued Second war began in 218 BC, when Hannibal, a brilliant military strategist who was a general of Carthage, tried to avenge Carthage by capturing Rome Hannibal decided to surprise Romans instead of attacking head-on, and sent 50, 000 infantry, 9, 000 cavalry, and 60 elephants from Spain across land route to Rome Hannibal lost half his men but was still successful in being able to occupy Italian Peninsula for over a decade, Cannae being his biggest victory Romans regrouped and allies helped them keep Rome safe from capture Finally, a Roman general named Scipio made a plan to attack city of Carthage, forcing Hannibal to leave Italian Peninsula to defend his native city, and defeated Hannibal at nearby Zama in 202 BC

Hannibal Crossing the Alps; The Battle of Zama

Punic Wars continued Third war began in 149 BC when Rome laid siege to Carthage – ended with Carthage being destroyed and its territory being made into a province of Rome in 146 BC Carthage was burned and its inhabitants enslaved

Rome Conquers Rome’s victories over Carthage helped it become more powerful and dominate the western Mediterranean, from Greece to Spain, by 146 BC

Rome went on to dominate eastern Mediterranean, including Anatolia, by 70 BC, and kept going