Romes Beginnings Legend of Romulus and Remus Rome

Rome’s Beginnings Legend of Romulus and Remus. Rome named after Romulus. Greeks came to Southern Italy around 750 BC to form colonies. *Remember Greece had little farmland. Romans learned to grow olives and grapes from the Greeks. They also adopted Greek architecture, literature, religion and their ALPHABET.

Rome’s Beginnings Historians are not sure how Rome began. They think that Latins (from Latium) arrived around 1000 BC and were shepherds and farmers. They may have banded together between 800 and 700 BC for protection.

The Etruscans lived in Etruria, north of Rome. Around 650 BC, they moved south and conquered Rome. The Etruscans ruled for 100 years. They turned Rome into a true city---from huts to brick buildings, streets, and temples. The Etruscan army served as a model for the later Roman army.

How Did Rome Become So Strong? 509 BC: After the Romans revolted against the Etruscan “Tarquin Dynasty, ” they continued to fight for more than 200 years against their neighbors. Eventually, they conquered the Latins, Etruscans, and the Southern Italians making them the dominant force in Italy.

How Did Rome Become So Strong? Every Roman male citizen had to serve in the army. Deserters were put to death. Romans stopped marching shoulder to shoulder like the Greeks and began forming legions. They formed legions: small groups of soldiers (6000 men broken down into groups of 60 to 120 soldiers). They could cut quickly into enemy lines.

How Did Rome Become So Strong? Romans were great planners. They planned military settlements in each conquered region. To rule their new conquered nations, the Romans set up the Roman Confederation which gave citizenship to some conquered peoples. Rome also allowed other people to become allies where they could continue to rule their own local affairs as long as they provided soldiers and paid taxes to the Roman government. Rome would use military force against those who tried to rebel.

The Political Structure of the Roman Republic 509 BC: Etruscans overthrown by the Roman army and formed a REPUBLIC. A republic is a system of government where citizens choose representatives to govern on their behalf.

SOCIAL CLASSES in the Roman Republic Two Social Classes a. Patricians: wealthy landowners b. Plebeians: commoners (artisans, shopkeepers, and owners of small farms. Patricians and plebeians could not marry (in the early Republic).

Political Structure in the Roman Republic Patricians can hold the highest position in government. The highest position is consul. There are two consuls. They can only serve a term of one year. Consuls have the power to veto. Veto: to reject (e. g. , a proposed law)

Political Structure in the Roman Republic Consuls were elected from the Senate, but not by the senate. Senate was composed of 300 lawmakers who were elected for a life term. Assembly: allowed plebeians or common citizens into its membership. Assembly discussed matters at the forum. Forum: marketplace and business center of Rome.

Political Structure in the Roman Republic Assembly was in charge of choosing the consuls. 471 BC: Plebeians were allowed to create their own body of representatives called The Council of the Plebs.

Political Structure in the Roman Republic The Assembly elected tribunes who brought the concerns of the plebeians to the attention of the government. Tribunes won the right to veto. 455 BC: Patricians could now marry plebeians. 300 s BC: Plebeians were allowed to become consuls.