Rise of the Roman Republic

I. Geography of Italian Peninsula

Mountainous Alps (north) Apennines (backbone)

East = poor West = attractive

Proximity to Mediterranean Sea Easy access MILITARY!!! Fertile land, great harbors!!!

II. Early History of Rome

Legend of Romulus & Remus 1200 BCE: Indo-Euros. invaded peninsula 1000 BCE: Latins founded settlements on

7 Hills (Palatine Hill)Overlooked Tiber RiverBecame Rome

Strategic location Farming-based society

A. The Etruscans

8th cent. BCE: from Anatolia Lived north of Tiber River

6th cent. = moved south, conquered Rome

Set up monarchy

Contributed to Roman civ. Arch Drained swamps

Forum Phoenician alphabet

Roman Forum

Public meeting place and the heart of Public meeting place and the heart of Roman political lifeRoman political life

Examples of Etruscan art

Note the Greek alphabet

Romans borrowedEtruscan buildingtechniques.

B. The Greek Influence

750-500 BCE: Greek colonization Southern Italian city-states

Syracuse & Naples Spread Greek culture into Italy!

Art, Mythology, & Religion

III. Establishing the Republic

509 BCE: overthrow of Etruscan monarchyTarquin the Proud (tyrant)

Est. a republic (lasted almost 500 yrs.)res publica = “public affairs”

A. Roman Govt.

3 Groups:The Senate (aristocratic)Popular Assemblies (democratic)The Magistrates/Consuls (monarchy)

1. The Senate (aristocratic)

Most important & powerful of 3 bodies 300 members (upper class) Senate seats for life (continuity) Controlled foreign policy & public funds Elected dictator (for times of crisis)

Absolute power (make laws & command army)

2. Popular Assemblies (demo.)

Citizens voted on laws & elected officials Had 10 tribunes – protected interests of

plebeians—could veto Senate

3. The Magistrates (monarchy)

2 consuls – 1 yr. terms (no reelection for 10) Commanded army & directed govt. Each could veto the other

Checks & balances

Praetors—8 judges (1 year term)

B. Social Structure

Patriciansconsuls, senators, assembly 10% of pop.

Plebeians farmers, merchants, laborers, artisansRoman laws were unwritten

C. Plebeian Struggle of Reform

Advantage of Plebeians? Will not fight w/out reforms!! 494 BCE: Council of Plebeians (Tribal

Assembly) Elected 10 tribunes

Could veto Senate or consuls

451 BCE: Twelve Tables Advertised Roman lawPosted in Forum Est. that ALL free citizens had protection of

the law

Plebeians did not change govt. much Patricians exercised most powerRoman politics = undemocratic “the people were not to govern, but to be

governed” Senate ruled w/great authority

IV. Extending the Republic

By 265 BCE: Romans controlled all of Italy south of Rubicon River

A. The Army

Conscription for adult male citizens Legion (Legionaires) Auxilia (non-citizens)

B. Wise Policies

Romans shared citizenship w/conquered peoples = ensured loyalty

Made alliances w/distant cities Remained independentProvided military assistance to Rome

C. Religion

Spirits inhabit everything Identified Roman gods w/Greek gods

Zeus = JupiterHera = JunoPoseidon = NeptuneAphrodite = VenusHades = Pluto

V. Rome vs. Carthage

Carthage = powerful city on N. Af. coastEmpire spanned the western Med.

Both were expansionistic Carthage feared Rome would take Sicily Rome feared Carthage would stand in way

Fought 3 wars (264-146 BCE) Punic Wars

A. First Punic War (264 BCE)

Rome built up navyUsed land tactics at sea

241: Rome prevailed Indemnity (war reparations)

B. Second Punic War (218 BCE)

Hannibal (Carthaginian General)

Won numerous victories (Romans retreated) Had no siege equipment to sack cities Rome’s allies remained loyal Scipio

Invaded Carthage Hannibal went home

202 BCE: Battle of Zama – defeat of Hannibal Ensured supremacy of Greco-Roman civ.

C. Third Punic War

Lasting hatred towards Carthage 149 BCE: declare war on Carthage!!! 146 BCE: Carthage fell, was burned,

inhabitants enslaved

Rome = dominates W. Med. 197 BCE: Rome defeated Macedonia

Took control of Greek cities 133 BCE: Roman supremacy over Med.

completed