Rome began as a small city-state but eventually ruled the Mediterranean world. It established a republic with elected leaders to prevent any one person from gaining too much power. Citizens were actively involved in their government. The Roman government had legislative, executive, and judicial branches with separation of powers. It differed from Athens by being representative rather than direct. Roman law, including the Twelve Tables, assured citizens rights and protections. Rome's conquests enriched it but caused unrest, leading to civil wars over power. Eventually Augustus Caesar brought stability by opening government jobs to all and establishing justice through law, with principles still used today.

2. Complete the activity titled:
“What’s the Reason?”

3. Rome began as a small
city state in Italy but
then ended up ruling
the entire
Mediterranean world
Romans established
traditions of
government that
continue to influence
the modern world

4. Established a republic “Thing of the People” around
509BC where people were allowed to elect their own
leaders
Thought it would prevent an individual from gaining
too much power
The people of Rome were actively involved in their
government. They took pride and responsibility in
participation in the government .

5. Legislative Branch
Senate
Tribal Assembly
SEPARATION OF POWERS
Executive Branch
Elected Officials
Judicial Branch
Jurisprudence
Professional Jurors

6. Roman government differed from Athens in that it
was not direct but based on representation, with
voters electing their officials. (US govt today is a
republic)
Another characteristic was the high regard for Roman
law.
In 451 the Twelve Tables were brought into existence.
These tables assured all citizens had a right to
protection of the law.

7. Complete the Twelve Tables
Activity in Your Notebook

8. Rome’s armies were so powerful that they
controlled all the Italian peninsula and then
began to build around the Mediterranean Sea
These conquests brought many riches to Rome
These expansions led to frustration in Roman
society because their army was made of loyal
Roman citizens who fought without pay and
supplied their own weapons yet they gained little
from Rome’s success.
Soon Rome was involved in a series of civil wars
about who should hold power

9. A military commander who forced
his way into Rome and became a
dictator
Fearful of his political ambition the
Senate ordered him to stop his
conquests however he refused

10. Reforms
Launched a program of public works to employ
the jobless and gave public land to the poor
His enemies were jealous of his power and
worried that he might try to become King and
stabbed him to death
His grand nephew Augustus Caeser became the
new leader

11. Laid the foundation for a
stable government
Created an efficient, well
trained civil service to
enforce the laws
Opened high level jobs to
men of talent regardless of
their class
Time period known as Pax
Romana because of the
peace, order, unity and
prosperity

12. Greatest legacy was the establishment of
justice through the law
Law of Nations
Rome’s expansion created a problem and
they created a system of laws that would
apply to all people and cultures based on the
laws of nature

13. Basic principles were established such as:
Innocent until proven guilty
Guilt was established through evidence
Judges interpreted laws and were
expected to make fair decisions
People should be punished for actions,
not thoughts

14. Justinian ruled after Augustus Caesar
He is best remembered for his reform of
the Roman law code
He revised and organized all the laws of
ancient Rome
It had an impact far beyond Rome and
reached Western Europe where the church
and monarchs based their laws on its
principles

15. Then
Developed a system of
laws that apply to every
citizen
Written Laws
Government based on
laws
Now
Government where
citizens elect leaders
Everyone is equal under
the law
Constitution and bill of
rights
Rule of law