The Roman Republic began in 509 BC and eventually transitioned into the Roman Empire. Some key events included the establishment of the Roman Republic in 509 BC, the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage from 264-146 BC which resulted in Rome gaining control of the western Mediterranean, the transition from Republic to Empire following the rise and assassination of Julius Caesar, and the establishment of the Pax Romana under Augustus from 27 BC to 180 AD which brought peace across the Empire.

1. The Roman Republic

2. 509 B.C. Rome becomes a
republic.
218 B.C. In the Second
Punic War, Hannibal
invades Italy.
264 B.C.
The First Punic War with
Carthage begins.
A.D. 284 Diocletian, who will
divide the Roman Empire,
becomes emperor.
44 B.C. Conspirators
kill Julius Caesar.
A.D. 476 Western Roman
Empire falls with the ouster
of the last emperor, Romulus
Augustulus.
500 B.C.

6. Rome’s
growth
and
decline
over the
years.

7. According to legend, Rome was founded Romulus and
Remus, twin sons of Mars

8. Ancient Rome-3 Groups
• Latins-Farmers, Shepherds
• Settled Latium (on Tiber River)
• Built original settlement at Rome
• First “Romans”

9. Ancient Rome-3 Groups
• Greeks-Settled southern Italy and Sicily
• Prosperous in trade and business

10. Ancient Rome-3 Groups
• Etruscans-Northern Italy
• Skilled metalworkers/engineers

11. Rome, in the beginning, was a monarchy
• King was the head of the religion and held most of the
power. Etruscan Kings
• Romans declared they would never again be ruled by a
king!
• Romans establish a new government called a republic
“res publica”-public affairs.
• Power rests with the citizens who vote to select
leaders.

12. Early Roman Republic
• Patricians-Wealthy landowners who held most of
the power. Inherited wealth and social status.
• Plebeians- Commoners, artisans, and
merchants who made up the majority of the
population. They were citizens of Rome who
could vote.
• Tribunes-representatives of the Plebeians who
protected them from power of the Patricians.

13. So instead of a king, they had two consuls-this was the
executive branch of the government.
• Each consul had to consult the other before acting and
one could veto the other.
• Were patricians elected to one year terms

14. • Supreme commanders of the military
• Took care of daily affairs and kept other officials in line.
Also presided over the Senate.

16. The Senate
• A body of 300 patricians from the wealthiest families.
• Served for life.
• Advised consuls, approved projects, did foreign policy.
• Was the main power in Rome.

17. The Twelve Tables
• The first written Roman law.
• Made around 450 BC in response to plebians’
complaints that the patricians were forming and
interpreting laws to their own benefit.
• They were written down on 12 bronze tablets that were
posted in the Roman forum.

18. Here’s a sampling from the Twelve Tables:
• If someone is called to go to court, he is to go. If he
doesn't go, a witness should be called. Only then
should he be captured. If he shirks or flees, he should
be captured. If illness or old age is an impediment, let
him be given a carriage. If he doesn't want it, it should
not be covered.
• 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.
• If a person dies intestate without heirs, the nearest
male kinsman shall inherit. If there is no near male
kinsmen, his clansmen shall inherit.
• If one has maimed another and does not buy his
peace, let there be retaliation in kind.

19. • Someone who breaks another's bone by hand or club
must pay 300 sesterces; for a slave, 150; if he has
done simple harm against another, 25.
• No dead man may be cremated nor buried in the City.
• Marriages between plebeians and patricians are
forbidden.
• Men in the army may not wed until training is
complete.
• Someone who has brought a false claim shall be
brought before three judges, and shall pay a double
penalty.

20. Rome
• Expands through trade and conquest!
• Romans defeat Etruscans in the North and
Greek City-States in the South
• They now control the Italian Peninsula!
• 265 B.C.E.

21. Rome
• Treatment of conquered territories varied,
but was lenient:
• Some given full citizenship
• All rights except to vote
• “Allies”-must send troops to Rome and
could not make treaties with any other
state.

22. Rome-Trade
• Location of Rome essential to trade-merchants
moved by land and sea
• Traded Roman wine and olive oil for other
foods, raw materials, and manufactured
goods from other lands.
• Biggest competitor-CARTHAGE!

23. Carthage’s areas of influence before the First Punic War.

24. The Punic Wars (3 of them)
• 264 B.C.-1st Punic War for control of Sicily
(grain growing) and control of western
Mediterranean Sea.
• Lasted 23 years
• Rome-VICTOR!

25. They weren’t all that far apart.

26. The Punic Wars (3 of them)
• 218 B.C.-2nd Punic War
• Hannibal (Carthage)-wanted revenge!
• 50,000 infantry, 9000 cavalry, and 60 elephants.
• Went through Spain and France to cross Alps
and invade Rome.
• Defeated in 202 B.C. by Scipio Africanus
(Rome)-attacked Carthage forcing Hannibal to
return from Italy-VICTOR ROME!

27. The Punic Wars (3 of them)
• 149-146 B.C.E.-3rd Punic War
• Carthage no longer threat, but Romans
wanted revenge.
• Siege of Carthage-set afire and its 50,000
residents sold into slavery-land salted

28. Results
• Rome’s victory over Carthage gave it
control over the western Mediterranean
• Rome then took over eastern half-
Macedonia, Greece, and parts of Anatolia.
• By 70 B.C.E. the empire stretched from
Anatolia to Spain!
• #2 on p. 145

29. Answer the Following
Questions: 6.1
• How did geography affect the development
of Rome?
• Which were the main groups that competed
for power in early Rome?
• What is the significance of the Twelve
Tables?
• What were the causes of the 1st Punic War?
• What was the significance of the Punic
Wars for Rome?

30. The Roman Empire brings
Change!
• Problems with expansion
• Gap between rich and poor!
• 1/3 of the population were slaves
• Small farmers could not compete with
large landowners
• Class tensions lead to collapse of the
Republic.

31. Gracchus Brothers
• Tiberius and Gaius
• Their mother was the daughter of Scipio
• Tribunes (Plebians)
• Proposed reforms to help the poor
• Both met violent deaths
• Period of Civil War followed!
• Rise of politically powerful military leaders-
Julius Caesar.

32. Julius Caesar
• At first, ruled with Crassus and Pompey as
the first Triumvirate.
• Caesar-strong leader and military genius-conquered
all of Gaul-popular with the
people of Rome.
• Ordered by Senate to disband his legions
and return home-he defies Senate and
leads a civil war against Pompey.
• Wins-appointed Dictator for Life by Senate

33. Julius Caesar
• Rules with Absolute Power-total control
• Reforms:
• Citizenship to people in the provinces
• Expanded the Senate
• Helped poor by creating jobs through
construction of new buildings
• Started colonies so landless could have land
• Increased pay for soldiers.
• Caesar assassinated in Senate chamber-
Brutus and Cassius-many troubled by his
growing power and feared losing their own
power!

34. The Second Triumvirate
Civil War after death of Julius
Caesar destroyed what was
left of the Republic
Octavian
• Caesar’s Grand-Nephew
Mark Antony
• General
Lepidus
• Politician

35. The 3 ruled for 10
years-Executed many
senators to put down
opposition
Octavian and Mark
Antony lead Roman
Legions in battle
against the legions of
Brutus and Cassius
Octavian returns
to Rome
Antony goes on
victory tour-Meets
Cleopatra
Octavian and Mark
Antony are
VICTORIUS!-
Cassius & Brutus
commit suicide.

36. Cleopatra
Queen of Egypt Captures heart of Mark Antony
Mark Antony
Octavian
Declares war on Cleopatra
Defeats combined forces of Mark
Antony & Cleopatra
Follows her to Egypt
Accused by Octavian of plotting
against Rome-outlawed by Senate

37. Antony &
Cleopatra
Antony-Kills
himself with a
sword
Cleopatra-
Commits suicide
(Poison/Asp)

38. PAX ROMANA
• Octavian-The unchallenged ruler of Rome
• Becomes AUGUSTUS-The “exalted one”
• 27 B.C.E. to 180 C.E. – Peace reigned
throughout the Empire “Pax Romana”
• During this time:
• Empire was 3 million square miles,
population of 60-80 million, 1 million in
Rome itself!

39. p. 150-152
• Who were the 5 “good” emperors? How did they
appoint their successors? Who were 3 of the
“bad” emperors? What was wrong with them?
• What is the paterfamilias? What could he do?
• What rights did women have?
• How were female children named?
• How was education different for boys and girls?
• How were government and religion linked?
• What are “bread and circuses?” Why were they
necessary? By A.D. 250, how many holidays per
year were there?