Rome the Republic Government Republic 2 elected consuls

Rome the Republic

Government • Republic • 2 elected consuls were the head – Served a one-year term – Controlled the army • Senate – – – Leaders from the Patricians Law-makers Controlled spending Chosen by Consuls Served for life 300 seats • Assembly – Plebeians – Had limited power BUT they elected the consuls • Consuls had to gain support of the plebeian class

SPQR • Senatus Populus Que Romanus – Chiseled on public buildings, armor, coins, park benches – Anything that belonged to the state – “The Senate and the People of Rome” – Kings were no longer in charge

The Forum • Main marketplace and business center – Banking, trading, shopping, and marketing • Also a place for public speaking – Great orators – Argued persuasively • Festivals and religious ceremonies – Go to a temple to leave a gift for one of their gods

Roman Baths • At least once a day • Included: – – – – Hot and cold pools Slaves to wait on you Steam rooms Saunas Exercise rooms Hair salons Reading rooms • Think of is as a large mall with bathing pools • 900 public baths in Rome – Part of daily life • • Kids couldn’t use them There was an admission charge Slaves couldn’t use them But people brought their slaves as attendants

• Legion Roman Legion – 5000 men – Each had a banner, leader, number and nickname • Uniform – – – – – Rectangular shield Short sword Dagger Metal jacket Helmet Belt Kilt Shirt Hobnailed sandals • Service – Legionary served for 25 years – Retirement • Given land a pension • Gave retired military a place to call home in the country that they would defend • Placed loyal military men all over the provinces

Roman Roads • “All roads lead to Rome” – It was true! – Rome was the heart of the republic – Each time a new city was conquered, a road was built from that city back to Rome • Milestones told how far it was to Rome

Hannibal & Carthage • Carthage- ancient city-state in North Africa- 300 miles from Rome • First Punic War – Carthage controlled 3 islands off Italy’s coast – Rome wanted Carthage to join its republic – Fought for 20 years – Neither won – Rome took Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica • Hannibal – 9 -year-old son of the general at the First Punic War- vowed to make Rome pay – Clever general – Snakes plan – Wanted to conquer all of Spain Not this creepy one… But this one

Second Punic War • Second Punic War – Spanish city asked for help but Rome attacked Carthage instead of Hannibal – Hannibal planned to march 90, 000 foot soldiers, 12, 000 calvary, and 37 elephants from Spain • Route was more rugged than he expected • Carthage agreed to peace terms • Carthage changed their mind and Rome defeated Carthage but didn’t catch Hannibal – Second set of peace terms: » Carthage leave Spain, Gaul and Italy » Reduce their navy to 10 warships » Pay 10, 000 talents in war damages in 50 annual payments over 50 years • Rome finally caught up with Hannibal but he swallowed poison rather than surrender (he was 64)

Julius Caesar • Month of July named after him • People trusted him and believed he could solve Rome’s problems • Problems of the Republic – – – Crime Taxes Hunger Unemployment Slave labor dependency • Spoke openly about problems and solutions • Leaders in the Senate were afraid Caesar would take power and rule as a king – Entered Rome in 49 BCE with Roman Legion to take over the government – Poor people were glad; Senate was furious

Julius Caesar • Caesar defeated Pompey and the Senate’s forces and became the master of Rome • Improvements – – Relieved debt Enlarged the Senate Built the Forum Iulium Revised the calendar • Assassinated by a group of Senators led by Cassius and Brutus on the Ides of March (15) 44 BCE – Assassination sparked civil wars that ended the Republic and Caesar’s great nephew, Octavian, became the first emperor of Rome