THE EARLY REPUBLIC& CINCINNATUS

Social Studies for 9th EBGTeacher: Mauricio Torres

A Republic

In 509 BC, the Romans created a new type of government: the republic. In a republic, people elect

leaders to govern them and also the law rules above everyone else.

This elections were done each year, and these leaders had a lot of power which could only be held for no more than a year.

This was done in order to avoid just one person from holding too much power. Remember, the word REX (“king”

in latin) had a bad connotation for the Romans.

Rome in the days of the Republic

Republic vs. Democracy

Even though officials were elected, they were not chosen from a small group of people: Wealthy Powerful

These wealthy Romans held all he power, while poor and common romans had no say at all.

Challenges from Outside

After the republic was created, Romans found themselves fighting wars with their neighbors. Most of the battles were won and they

incorporated their neighbor’s land as their own (as well as its inhabitants).

But some battle were also lost, and this was a costly matter.

For these times of trouble, Romans chose dictators (rulers with absolute power, over the army and senate). But they didn’t stay in power forever.

Their term in office only lasted six months. After that, he had to give up his power.

Cincinnatus

One of Rome’s epic dictators was Cincinnatus. He had been a consul but was retired.

He gained power in 458 BC. He was a farmer, but also a great

military leader.

Cincinnatus the dictator

He quickly defeated the Aequians, a neighboring tribe, who had surrounded a Roman army.

Cincinnatus came back to Rome as a triumphant general, but immediately resigned his dictatorship and returned to his farm.

All of this in less than 16 days!

Trouble continues

Event though Rome achieved many victories on the battlefield, they were costly, and they found themselves in constant warfare.

This is how it soon became a great military power as they absorbed the tribes around them (Etruscans, Latins, Sabines, etc) in order to survive.

Early Wars

Italian campaigns (458-396 BC): Sabines, Etruscans,

Latins. Celtic invasions of

Italy(390-387 BC): The Gauls, led by

Brennus invade the Italian peninsula and sack Rome.

Roman expansion into Italy (343–282 BC): They fight several

wars against the Samnites.

Pyrrhic War (280–275 BC): Rome was able to

defeat the Greeks, and took control of the Italian peninsula.

Roman Expansion

The map shows the expansion of Roman territory during the days of the Republic.

Ask Yourself

Identify: What was the Roman office of Dictator?

Explain: How was the republic different from a monarchy? Why did Romans hate the term Rex?

Infer: What would push Cincinnatus to abandon power

so quickly? Describe:

Describe Roman expansion during the early days of the Republic

Bibliography

Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World History (Teacher´s Edition) (1st Edition ed.). (H. McDougal, Ed.) Orlando, Florida, US.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Images taken from www.google.com