The Roman RepublicThe Roman Republic

Who the h#&!! Are the Romans?

Rome was a small region in Italy

The main powers were the: Etruscans, Oscans, and Greeks.

Who were the Etruscans?Who were the Etruscans?

Well…They were independentcity-states over NorthernItaly.“Twelve cities” League, (guess what that was.)

474 B.C.Rome began to take over

cities!

Etruscan ArtworkEtruscan Artwork

GovernmentGovernment

Etruscans were ruled by Theocracy.This means that the priest ruled the city.

Rome on the other hand, was ruled by a kingAnd more importantly, laterby a Senate.

Back to RomeBack to Rome

Now Rome was busy…making alliances with the other

cities

Remus and Romulus-Mythical founders of Rome-Both were raised by a she- wolf in the wild.-Romulus killed Remus

MilitaryMilitary

Originally…the Romans fought using the Greek Phalanx.

Then…one day someone

thought of something better…

the Triple Acies.

Roman becomes a Roman becomes a Republic!Republic!

In 509 B.C. Rome sent their king packing!

Replaced him witha republican senate300 member council of patricians that

made laws and served RomePatricians- aristocracyPlebeians- normal folk

Twelve TablesTwelve Tables

Formed the basis of the Roman constitutionThe patricians judged the plebeians harshly

In 462 B.C. the Plebeians had the Twelve Tables made so that law was regulated and all knew it

Posted in the Roman Forum for all to see

The Results of the WarsThe Results of the Wars

• Romans originally stayed united due to their fear of Carthage– No Carthage– nothing to fear

• Senate unable to provide effective leadership.– Patricians become more concerned

w/ keeping their power and wealth.

• Slave revolts !

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More turmoil…More turmoil…

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SpartacusSpartacus

• 73 BCE• Proclaims war on Rome in

attempt to free the slaves.• 2 years of successful revolts• Eventually killed along with 6000

followers.

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First triumvirateFirst triumvirate• 60 BCE- Three army generals unite to rule

Rome. – Pompey – Crassus – Julius Caesar

• Caesar becomes consul and commands the Roman legions in Gaul.– Conquers Gaul (France) and England.

• Pompey gets support from Senate.– Orders Caesar to return home w/out the army.

• Caesar invades Rome w/ army and defeats Pompey.– Becomes a “hero of the empire.”

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Julius CaesarJulius Caesar• Reforms Rome

1. Reorganized government with him as dictator.

2. Lowered taxes.3. Makes governors responsible to him.4. Grants citizenship to conquered peoples.

• March 15, 44 BCE- Caesar assassinated– Stabbed in the Senate “Beware the Ides of

March.”

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• Mark Antony• Lepidus• Octavian• Created by Mark Antony.

– Falls in love w/ Cleopatra, queen of Egypt.

• Octavian crushes the combined fleet of Antony and Cleopatra.

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Second triumvirateSecond triumvirate

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OctavianOctavian• 31 BCE- creates the Roman

Empire• Allows Senate to keep some

power, but he would retain sole rulership.

• Changes name to Augustus– “honored and majestic”

• Takes title of “Caesar”– “first citizen”

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The Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire

• Augustus gains control of the following:– Military

• Takes complete control of• Gives veterans bonuses of land.

– Provinces• Supervised all the governors.• Created 28 provinces

– Loyalty to Rome• Granted citizenship to more conquered

peoples of Europe.