The Building of an EmpireThe Building of an Empire

ROMEROMEUnit I: 8000 BCE – 600 CEUnit I: 8000 BCE – 600 CE

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Do Now: Make a story about

the development of

Roman Government

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Life in Rome had two major social classes: The poor majority

(Plebeians)And the wealthy

Patricians.

Plebeians had no rights and were at the mercy of the

Patricians.

Plebeians revolted and refused to work until they were given more

rights.

A new structure was developed which allowed

Plebeians certain positions in government.

Consuls and Senate for Patricians.

Tribunes and Assembly for Plebeians.

Written Law code was created to protect every citizen

equally.

The RepublicThe RepublicA) In 509 BCE Latins Rebel against the Etruscans, overthrow the KingB) Established a Republic, a government in which citizens have the right to choose their leadersC) Roman Republic was NOT a democracy – citizens did not have equal rights

• Discipline, strength and loyalty – qualities called gravitas• All male citizens could take part in politics• Two social classes emerged:

Patricians

Plebeians• Roman aristocrats

• Wealthy, landowning elite

• Minority

• Roman Commoners

• poor workers

• Majority

Structure of GovernmentStructure of Government

Consuls Senate• Chosen by the Senate

• 2 chosen each year

• Head of State – commanded army

• Could become Dictator for 6 months in times of need

• Veto (I forbid) power over Senate

• Main lawmaking body

• 300 Patricians appointed for life

• Controlled foreign affairs

• Selected Dictator

Tribunes• 2 to 10 Chosen by Plebeian

Council

• Could Veto actions of the Consuls and the Senate

Assembly• Elected by the Plebeians

• Approved Consuls

• Later given power to pass laws

The Twelve Tables of LawThe Twelve Tables of Law• Finally in 450B.C. the laws were engraved on 12 bronze tablets called the Twelve Tables. They were displayed in the Forum, so all citizens could see their rights. • First written law code in Rome – written in 451 B.C.E.• All Free citizens had equal protection under the law.• Protected the rights of the Plebeians

A person who admits to owing money or has been adjudged to owe money must be given 30 days to pay.

An obviously deformed child must be put to death.

If a father sells his son into slavery three times, the son shall be free of his father

Marriages between plebeians and patricians are forbidden

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Make a story about Roman Expansion!

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Carthage General, Hannibal, had a plan to surprise the Romans from

the north

Hannibal brought an army with elephants across the

Med sea

And over the Alps! 70,000 soldiers and 37 elephants made

the journeyMeanwhile, Roman

General, Scipio, sailed to Carthage!

After winning many battles, Hannibal returns to

Carthage.

Hannibal drinks poison rather than be controlled

by Romans!

Rome and Carthage were rivals for control over Mediterranean trade

They fought a series of wars known as the

Punic wars

However, Scipio defeats Hannibal and burns Carthage down!

Expansion of PowerExpansion of PowerA) Conquered Italy: By 264 BCE – Ruled all of ItalyB) The Punic wars (264-146 BCE) Series of Three wars

• Rome defeats major rival Carthage located in Northern Africa

• Hannibal: Carthage General who crossed alps with army and elephants

• After fierce battles, Rome destroyed Carthage and controlled

the MediterraneanC) Roman power soon spread throughout Europe and

Northern Africa

Roman ConquestRoman Conquest

Central Location

Powerful Army

• Rome was in the middle of the Italian peninsula

• Italy was in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea

• Professional armies were well-trained

• Accomplished Generals were brilliant strategists

• Roman Legions – Armed infantry of 6,000 men

• Conquered land and fortified townsAttitude of Superiority

• Sense of duty, courage, discipline

• Ethnocentric belief – they should rule all!

• Livy’s account of Cincinnatus

Ability to move Army• Built roads, bridges, water routes

that made travel easier

Roman ControlRoman Control

Organized Government

Treatment of Conquered

People

• Brought law and order to many distant lands

• Created written laws that all citizens followed

• Gave citizenship to conquered people.

• People were allowed to keep customs and traditions

• People had religious freedom but had to also pay homage to Roman Gods

Improved Economy• Roman roads, bridges, canals helped

increase trade

• Size of Empire allowed for the movement of a large variety of goods –

led to cultural diffusion and new technology

Roman RepublicRoman Republic

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar

Assassination of CaesarAssassination of Caesar

Pax RomanaPax Romana

Decline of Roman EmpireDecline of Roman Empire