The Roman Republic

Rome's Origins As the city-states of Greece fell into decline due to decades of foreign and domestic war, a new Mediterranean superpower was on the rise - Rome. Rome benefited from a number of strategic advantages that made the city thrive. First, Rome was situated on the Italian Peninsula which is essentially in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. This position naturally made it an important port city for travel and trade. Secondly, it was nestled in between two mountain ranges, the Alps to the North and the Apennines to the east. These served as natural barriers that kept the peninsula relatively free from invasion by land. What geographical advantage helped Rome thrive? It was located in the middle of a desert It was positioned in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea It was surrounded by large forests It had no natural barriers Which mountain ranges protected Rome? The Himalayas and the Andes The Rocky Mountains and the Alps The Alps and the Apennines The Ural Mountains and the Pyrenees How did Rome’s location benefit its economy? It was difficult to reach by sea It was an important port city for trade and travel It was an important port city for trade and travel It was isolated from other civilizations What kept Rome relatively free from invasion by land? The city was built on an island It had a large navy The Alps and the Apennines acted as natural barriers The city was surrounded by a desert In what ways did Rome’s location make it different from Greece? How did Rome’s geography contribute to its success as a Mediterranean superpower? Early Monarchs For much of its early history the city of Rome was ruled by a group of people called the Etruscans. The early Etruscan kings greatly influenced Roman culture, laying the foundation for some of its religious belief and architecture. The last of the Etruscan kings was a man named Tarquin the Proud and his reign would influence a great shift in Roman government. Tarquin the Proud was a ruthless tyrant and his reign was so oppressive that in 509 BC he was driven from power. Vowing never to be ruled by a tyrant again, the Romans established a new form of government known as a republic. In a republic, citizens would vote for their leaders who would rule and make decisions on their behalf. Who were the early rulers of Rome? The Greeks The Persians The Etruscans The Egyptians Why was Tarquin the Proud overthrown? He was a fair and just ruler He was a ruthless tyrant He helped the plebeians gain power He expanded Rome peacefully What was one major contribution of the Etruscans to Roman culture? They introduced democracy They established the Senate They influenced Roman religion and architecture They built the Colosseum What type of government did Rome establish after removing Tarquin the Proud? A monarchy A dictatorship A democracy A republic How did the fall of Tarquin the Proud lead to the creation of the Roman Republic? What were some ways the Etruscans influenced early Rome? Plebeians and Patricians Early Rome saw a lot of tension between rich and poor Romans. Rome was supposed to be a government in which all citizens had the right to be ruled by a person of their choosing. There was a real problem, however, with the influence that rich Romans had over poor Romans. Many of the Roman citizens were poor plebeians, which were the common farmers, merchants and craftspeople in society. Many plebeians did not own lands which was a source of tension between them and the rich, landowning patricians. Patricians, in contrast, inherited vast stretches of rich farmland and this gave them much more power and influence in Rome. In the Early republic the plebeians and patricians fought one another for representation in the Roman republic. A major development was the appointing of officials called tribunes. Tribunes represented the common citizens in the Republican form of government. For the first time, poor Romans had representation in the Roman republic. Who were the patricians in Roman society? Common farmers and merchants Wealthy landowners Elected officials Foreign rulers What was a major source of tension between the plebeians and patricians? The patricians controlled most of the land Plebeians refused to work Plebeians did not want representation Patricians and plebeians had the same rights How did plebeians gain more representation in government? They overthrew the Senate They created a new empire They appointed officials called tribunes They invaded other territories What role did tribunes play in Roman government? They represented the plebeians They ruled as dictators They served as military leaders They managed Rome’s finances Why was it important for plebeians to have representation in the Roman Republic? How did the creation of tribunes help balance power between the social classes? The Twelve Tables Another major development that helped to balance some of the power struggles of the early republic was the creation of the Twelve Tables which was Rome’s first legal code. This codified set of laws and punishment was displayed publicly in the Roman political center called, The Forum. Since the laws were displayed publicly, wealthy patricians could not interpret them in ways that benefited themselves, as had previously been the case. What was the Twelve Tables? A form of government Rome’s first written legal code A military strategy A new currency Where were the Twelve Tables displayed? In the Roman Forum In the Senate building Inside the Colosseum In the private homes of patricians Why were the Twelve Tables created? To ensure fair laws for all citizens To give more power to patricians To weaken the government To prepare for war How did the Twelve Tables help plebeians? They allowed plebeians to become consuls They prevented patricians from changing laws unfairly They replaced tribunes They increased taxes on patricians Why was it important for Roman laws to be written down and displayed publicly? How did the Twelve Tables change the balance of power between plebeians and patricians? The Republic The Roman republic sought to balance the disparity between patricians and plebeians, and it did so by attempting to make sure all Romans were represented in the governing body.The Roman government was headed by two consuls who had authority similar to a king, however, no one person could have all authority. Consuls ruled for one year only and were chosen by an assembly known as the Centuriate assembly. As former military members, the Centuriate Assembly decided matters of war or peace. They also heard appeals for people who had received death sentences.Another assembly, the Senate, represented wealthy Romans and it was their job to advise the Consuls on matters related to the state. The Senate was made up of 300 members and many of them were wealthy landholders.To balance the influence of the Senate, the Tribal Assembly represented the more common citizens of Rome. Their job was to make laws that governed most citizens. This organization of Plebeians helped to ensure the poor had a voice in the republic.In times of crisis or war, the Roman republican government was put “on hold” and a dictator could be chosen. A chosen dictator would rule with absolute authority until the crisis had passed, usually around 6 months. When the crisis had passed, the republic would continue as usual with Consuls once again presiding over the various bodies. Many dictators transitioned in and out of their roles relatively peacefully. One dictator, however, would not transition as easily and even make himself dictator for life in 44 B.C. His name was Julius Caesar. You will read more about him in the next section. Who were the two most powerful officials in the Roman Republic? Dictators Consuls Senators Kings How long did consuls serve? For life Ten years One year Five years What was the role of the Senate in the Roman Republic? To represent common citizens To advise consuls and make state decisions To choose military leaders To rule during times of war What happened to the government in times of crisis? A dictator was appointed temporarily The Senate took complete control The plebeians ruled independently The consuls remained in power indefinitely How did the Roman Republic balance power between different social classes and political bodies? Why do you think the Roman Republic allowed for temporary dictators during times of crisis?