The Roman Republic

1
The Roman Republic

• Describe how geography influenced Romes
  development.
• What were the main institutions of the Roman
  Republic?
• How did the Punic Wars help increase Roman Power?

2
The Colosseum
3
Ancient Rome
4
The Arch of Constantine
5
The Origins of Rome

• Built near the center of Italy (between the Alps
  the southern tip)
• First Romans were Latins, Greeks, Etruscans
• Romans drove out King Tarquin set up a republic
• Republic form of government where citizens vote
  for their leaders

6
The Early Republic

• Patricians wealthy landowners who have most of
  the power
• Power is inherited
• Ancestry gave them the authority to make laws for
  Rome
• Plebians common farmers, merchants, artisans
  (majority of the population)
• Right to vote
• Could not hold political office

7
Government Under the Republic

• Twelve Tables written laws which established
  the idea that all free citizens had a right to
  protection under the law
• Consuls commanded the army directed the
  government
• Senate picked from the upper class of Rome
  (foreign domestic policy)
• Tribal Assembly Plebians (made laws for common
  people)
• Dictator had absolute power (6 months)

8
Rome Spreads Its Power

• Took over all of Italy (Etruscans to the north
  Greeks to the South)
• All conquered groups had the same rights as
  citizens (could not vote)
• Lenient policy helped Rome build a large empire
• Romes location was lucrative for trade
• Punic Wars Rome vs. Carthage
• Romes victory over Carthage made it the dominant
  power in the world

9
The Roman Empire

• Analyze problems facing the Republic.
• Summarize the events leading to creation of the
  Roman Empire.
• Describe the empires economy government.

10
The Republic Collapses

• Big divide between rich farmers poor farmers
• Slave labor on large estates (1/3 of Romes
  population)
• Tiberius Gaius (Tribunes) attempted to help the
  poor by limiting size of estates giving land to
  the poor
• Both were killed, Civil War followed
• Paid soldiers replaced the citizen soldier
• Generals would form armies (no allegiance)

11
Julius Caesar Takes Control

• Ruled with two others as the triumvirate
• Strong leader, genius in military strategy
• Appointed himself governor of Gaul
• Defeated his political rival Pompey in several
  battles across Europe
• Senate approved him as Dictator in 44BC
• Granted citizenship to people in provinces
• Gave jobs to the poor, gave property to poor,
  increased pay for soldiers

12
Beginning of the Empire

• Caesar was killed, civil war broke out again
• Caesars nephew Octavian joined the second
  triumvirate with Mark Antony Lepidus
• Octavian defeated Mark Antony, accepted the title
  of Augustus exalted one
• Pax Romana Roman Peace, time of peace
• Set up the civil service tax collection, grain
  supply, made government efficient

13
The Roman World

• Agriculture made up 90 of Roman occupation
• Rome emphasized values of discipline, strength,
  loyalty
• Slaves made up 1/3 of population
• Some became gladiators
• Numina spirits that were all around
• Lares guardian spirits that protect the family

14
Society Culture

• Huge gap in (rich were really rich, poor were
  really poor)
• Government supported the poor by giving out grain
• Government provided free gladiator games, races,
  mock battles, etc.
• Christianity emerges during this time period