Origins of Rome/ GeographyFounded in 8th century by Romulus and Remus- sons of Latin princess and MarsAbandond on Tiber river and raised by she-wolfBuilt city near Tiber river for strategic location and fertile soilBuilt on seven rolling hills at a curve on T. R., near center of Italian Peninsula

First RomansLatins, Etruscans, and Greeks settled on Italian peninsula in prehistoric timesLatins:1stRomansbuilt original Rome settlement, a wooden cluster of huts on 1/7 hills called Palatine HillEtruscans: skilled metalworkers + engineers – contributed archnatives of N. ItalyContributed alphabetGreeks:established colonies along southern Italy + SicilyCities were commercially active & prosperousBrought Italy + Rome into closer contact with Greek civil.

The Early RepublicEtruscan became king and Rome grew from hiltop villages to city which covered 500 squ. miles.Temples and Public centers were builtForum: public center and heart of pol. LifeLast King of Rome: Tarquin the Proud- harsh tyrant driven from powerCitizens created a republic: form of gov. in which power rests with citizens who have right to voteCitizenship with voting rights only granted to free-born males

2 Groups Struggle for PowerPatricians: wealthy landownersInherited power and social status- claimed ancestry gave right to make laws for RomePlebeians: Common farmers and artisans -90 % of pop.Had right to voteBarred by law from holding most important gov. pos.Tribunes Elected by Plebeians to represent them and protect them from unfair acts of Patrician officials

Twelve Tables- Rome’s LawsPlebeians forced officials to make written law code so patricians code not interpret the law to fit their own needs.Carved on tablets that hung in ForumBasis of Roman law- idea that all free citizens had right to protection of the law

Government under RepublicTook the best of the monarchy , arist., dem.Monarchy: 2 Consuls: commanded army and directed gov. 1 years term. Could veto other consuls decisionsAristoracy: Senate: 300 upperclass membersInfluence over domestic and foreign policiesHad legislative and administrative functionsPlebeians allowed in laterDemocracy: Tribal AssembliesTribal Assembly- formed by pleb.- elected tribunes Made laws for people and later the republic itselfIn times of crisis, republic could appoint a dictator- leader with absolute power to make laws and command armyIn power for 6 monthsChosen by consuls and elected by senate

Roman ArmyCitizens who owned land were required to serve armySeekers of public office had to serve 10 yearsLegion- large military unit made of 500 heavily foot soldiers called infantryCavalry- horseback soldiers who supported legionCentury- Group within legion made of 80 menMilitary Org. and fighting skills were key factors in Rome’s rise to greatness

Rome Spreads Its PowerPower grew slow and steadyDefeated Etruscans and conquered Italian peninsulaLenient policy toward defeated enemies helped Rome to expandLatins enjoyed full Roman citizenshipOthers enjoyed citizenship except voting rightsFarther conquered territories were allies and Rome did not interfere as long as they supplied troops and pledged loyalty only to Rome

Rome’s trading NetworkLocation gave it easy access to riches of Med.Carthage (N. African peninsula) interfered with this access and thus the Punic Wars were started.1st War: Over control of Sicily (23 yrs.)- Carthage defeated2nd War: Hannibal- Carthaginian general who led large army and elephants on long trek from Spain across France through Alps. To surprise Rome and inflicted enormous losses on Rome. Rome used help from allies to prevent H. from overtaking them3rd War: Scipio, Roman military leader forced H. back to Carthage At Zama H. was defeated. Carthage was burnt, pop. Was enslaved, and Carthage was made a Roman provinceVictories gave Rome dominance over W. Med. Then conquered East: Anatolia to Spain.

The Republic CollapsesEconomic Turmoil: Poverty- enslaved people made 1/3 of pop.Farmers were unable to compete with wealthy landowners with huge estates who had war-captured slaves to run them. They sold their land became jobless and homelessMost worked as seasonal migrant laborers, went to cities for work, and joined ¼ of the urban poor.Tiberius and Gaius: Tribunes who attempted to help poor by proposing reforms like limiting estate size and giving the land to poor.Came to violent deaths due to being enemies of senate who were threatened by ideas. A period of civil war followed these deaths.

Military UpheavelGenerals began to seize greater power for themselves by recruiting soldiers from the homeless and promising them landAllegiance was payed only to commanders-not republic itselfJulius Caesar, one of these military leaders, partnered with Crassus, wealthy Roman, and Pompey, a popular general. Through their help, Caesar was elected consul and the men dominated as a triumvirate.

Caesar Rises in Pol. And Social Pop.Following his self-appointment as governor of Gaul, he led a grueling campaign to conquest Gaul and won his men’s loyalty because shared fully in the hardships of the war.Pompey became Caesar’s political rival and urged senate to order Caesar to disband his legions and return home in fear of his growing pop. Caesar defied these orders and defeated Pompey’s armies in Greece, Asia, Spain, and EgyptHe returned home will full support of the masses and his army and the senate appointed him dictator for life.

Caesars ContributionsGranted citizenship to people in many provincesExpanded the senate-added friends, Italian and other region supportersHelped poor by creating jobs through the construction of new public buildingsStarted colonies where people without land could own propertiesIncreased pay for soldiers

Caesar- A Threat?Many nobles and senators were concerns about C.’s growing power and feared losing their influenceSome considered him a tyrantMarcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius with a number of important senators plotted and executed Caesar’s assassination.The stabbed him

Beginning of the EmpireAfter Caesar’s death, civil war broke out again and destroyed what was left of the Roman republic.