Section+6-1+The+Roman+Republic

Section 6-1: The Roman Republic

republic- a form of government in which the power is inthe hands of representatives and leaders are elected by citizens who have the right to vote. patricians- in ancient Rome, a member of the wealthy, privileged upper class. plebeians- in ancient Rome, one of the common farmers, artisans, an merchants who made up most of the population. tribunes- in ancient Rome, and official elected by the plebeians to protect their rights. consuls- in the Roman republic, one of the two powerful officials elected each year to command the army and direct the government. senate- in ancient Rome, the supreme government body, originally made up only of aristocrats. dictator- in ancient Rome, a political leader given absolute power to make laws and command the army for a limited time. legions- a military unit of the ancient Roman army, made up of about 5,000 foot soldiers and a group of soldiers on horseback. Punic Wars- a series of three wars between Rome and Carrgage (264-146 BC); resulted in the destruction of Carthage ad Rome's dominance over the western Mediterranean. Hannibal- a brilliant military strategist who wanted to avenge Carthage's earlier defeat.
 * Bold:**

- when the Greek civilizations were in decline a city in the west was growing in power. Rome grew from a small settlement to a mighty civilization the in time conquered the Mediterranean.
 * Setting the Stage:**

- according to legend Rome was built by two Half god hagl human boys named Romulus and Remus who were adandon at the sight of Rome and were raised by a she wolf and decide to build a city. But really it was built by normal people who chose thT spot because of the fertile soil.
 * The Origins of Rome:**

- Rome was built of seven hills near the Tiber river near the center of the Italian peninsula.
 * Rome's Geography:**

- three settlements inhabited the region and fought for control they were the Latina the Greeks a the Etruscans. The Latina built tw original Rome settlement which were a cluster of wooden huts. - Greek established colonies along southern Italy and Sicily. The cities became prosperous and commercially alive. They brought all of Italy including Rome closer in contact with greeincivilization. - Etruscans were native to northern Italy and were skillful metalworkers and engineers. The Etruscans strongly influenced the development of roman civilization the roman adopted the Etriscan alphabet. They also influenced Rome agriculture.
 * The First Romans:**

- a Etruscan became king of Rome. As time went on Rome grew to a city that covered nearly 500 square miles. Various kings ordered the making of temples and public centers the most famous was Forum. - the last king of Rome was tarquinius the proud a harsh tyrant. After he was forced out of power Rome declared yet would never e ruled by a king again. Instead they a stablished a republic.
 * The Early Republic:**

- in the early republic groups struggled for power. The patricians and the plebeians. - the patricians got their power from social status they claime their ancestry ga the the power to make laws for Rome. Plebeians were Rome citizens who had the right to vote. They were barred by law from holding the most important governmnt positions. In time times leaders let the plebeians select representatives called tribunes.
 * Patricians and Plebeians:**

- the plebeians wanted to create a written law code. Which law unwritten patrician officials often interpreted the laws to suit themselves. A group of ten officials started to write down Rome's laws. The law were put on twelve tablets or tables that hung in Forum. They became the basic for all roman law. They also established the idea that all free citizens had a right to the protection of the law.
 * Twelve Tables:**

- in the first centry BC roman writers said the Rome had a balanced government. They said the Rome took the best feature of governments democracy, monarchy and aristocracy and made a "perfect" government. Rome had two consuls they were like kings yet commanded the army and ran the government. There terms were one year and could only be re electe one every ten years and they could always veto the others decisions. - the senate was a branch of government. It had legislative and administrative functions.. The 300 members were from the upper class and eventually plebeians were allowed in. - the assemblies were more democratic an assembly organized by the plebeians the tribal assembly made laws for the common people. - at times of crisis the republic could appoint a director a leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army a directors power only lasted for about six months. The directors were chosen by the consuls and elected by the senate.
 * Government Under the Republic:**

- Rome took pride in their military. All citizens who owned land had to serve in the army. Seekers of certain public offices had to serve 10 years. Romans organize themselves into large legions. Legions were divided into smaller groups of 80 men, that were called century. This organization and the fighting skill of the roman was important in their rise to power
 * The Roman Army:**

- After many years after finding the republic Rome want to expand their territories through trade an conquest.
 * Rome Spreads Its Power:**

- tomes power slowly grew as the legions fought for the Italian peninsula. By the fourth century BC Rome controlled central Italy and conquered the Etruscand and the southern Greek city states. - the places Rome conquere were treated differently depending where they were in comparison to Rome. The neighboring places became full citizens of Rome. The further territories got all the rights of the Romans except the right to vote. All the other territories became allies of Rome. Rome didn't interact with their allies as long as they provided the roman army with supplies and didn't make treaties with anyother allies. The citizens and allies became partners in times growth. For a long time roman spread its power further than Italy.
 * Rome Conquers Italy:**

- times locations gave it access to the Mediterranean riches. Roman merchants moved by land and by sea. They traded roman wine and olive oil. For food raw materials manufactured good. Other large powerful cities interfered with the Romans.
 * Rome's Commercial Network:**

- Rome wentti war with Carthage which was known as the Punic Wars. Between 264 BC and 146 BC the roman and the Carthage fought three wars. The first was for the control of Sicily. The second ha a Carthage general named Hannibal. - Hannible Made an army with 50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry, and 60 elephants to capture Rome. Instead if a head on attack Hannible tried to surprise the Romans with a risky move. He lead the army from Spain across Spain and through the Alps. Even though he lost half his men and most did his elephants his idea initially worked. For a while he marched his forces up the Italian peninsula. The Romans did stop Hannover before he could capture Rome. :)
 * War with Carthage:**

- the romans got a general named Scipio who was thought o be just as brilliant as Hannibal. He made a plan to attack Carthage that made Hannible go back to his city and they defeated Hannible. - during the third war Rome laid siege on Carthage in 146 BC the city set on fire anthe 50,000 citizens were sold into slavery. - the Punic wars gave Rome dominance over the western Mediterranean.
 * Rome Triumphs:**