Rome Chapter 6 Section 1 Italys Geography Rome

Rome Chapter 6, Section 1

Italy’s Geography

Rome – True Beginning Group Influence on Romans Latins *Farmers that settled on Tiber River * Considered first Romans Greeks *had 50 colonies in Italy *grapes and olives *borrowed Gods but changed names Etruscans *metalworkers *architects *alphabet *religious rituals

Etruscen Influences 616 BC n Built Rome’s first city walls & sewer n Introduced building techniques such as the arch n Introduced alphabet & number system n Helped shape system of government n Introduced gladiator games and chariot races n Influenced styles of sculpture and painting

The Republic Forms n Under Etruscans rule Rome goes from hilltop villages to a city of nearly 500 square miles n n 509 BC Romans revolt, threw out last king & establish new type of government Republic n Elected officials governed the state n Two classes of citizens in the republic

Patricians n n n Aristocratic landowners Rich and had the power Elected officials from among themselves Controlled every aspect of society – politics, religion, economics, and the military Patronage system n Wealthy Romans provided financial, social, or legal support for lower ranking families in return for political backing and loyalty

Plebeians n n n Common people Majority of the population 494 BC – invaders threatened Rome n Plebeians refused to fight n Patricians expanded plebeians rights • Plebeian Council • Oversee & protect plebeian affairs • Tribunes • Elected officials - protect plebeians against unjust treatment • Right to veto

Law of the Twelve Tables 450 BC Created so the Patricians could not interpret the laws in their favor anymore n Becomes basis for Roman law n Gave everyone the right to protection of the law n

Government n Blends best features of Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy Chart: Part of Government Gov’t Influence Key facts

n Consul n Monarchy n 2 officials Term = 1 year Couldn’t rule again for 10 years Had power to veto n n n

n Senate n Aristocracy n 300 members Legislative branch Administrative branch Member for life n n n

n Assemblies n Democracy n Centuriate n All citizen – soldiers n Appointed consuls n Made laws Tribals n Plebeians n Elected Tribunes n Laws for common people n Later would make laws for everyone n

In a time of crisis the republic could elect a dictator Have absolute power n Would rule for six months n Chosen by consul n Elected by senate n