Aim: Why did the Roman Republic collapse?

Trouble in the Republic


Damages to farms

Small farmers could not compete with wealthy landowners

Latifundia – large estates

Prisoners were used to work on land



Continued

Farmers faced a lot of debt

“Bread and Circuses” – provide cheap food and entertainment

Problems were ignored by the wealthy class

Marius-Consul changed the army from volunteer to paid professional soldier

Felt loyal to their general no to the Republic

Continued

Power struggles between generals and leaders

Summary

What group made the best Roman soldiers paid professionals or citizen volunteers?

Julius Caesar

Triumvirate – political alliance of three people. (Crassus, pompey, and Caesar ruled together)

Julius Caesar- battled foreign tribes and invaded Britain

Caesar marched into Italy by crossing the Rubicon

Declared himself dictator

Filled the Senate with his loyalists



Caesar’s Reforms

Granted citizenship to people living in Rome’s territories

Started new colonies

Created work for the jobless

Ordered landowners using slave labor to hire more free workers

Created a new calendar



Julius Caesar

The senators feared he would be King for Life

Was killed by the Senate

Aim: What was Roman Law?

Notes:
Roman Law


Twelve Tables (451BC) – Laws were written down and placed in Rome’s marketplace (the Forum).

All free citizens had the right to be treated equally by the legal system

Applied only to Roman citizens

Continued

Law of Nations – new rules to settle disputes between citizens and onenon-citizens. (was for newly expanded territories)

People were seen as innocent until proven guilty

Rule of Law – Law applies to everyone

Continued

Why was it necessary for Rome to create the Law of Nations?

Rome Expands

Romans conquered all of Italy

Carthage – enemy of Rome (located in the Med. Sea) (Off the coast of North Africa)

Ruled a great trading empire

Continued

Punic Wars

Fought over Sicily ( the war lasted 20 years)

Rome eventually took Sicily

Carthage expanded into southern Spain

Romans helped the people of Spain to rebel

Hannibal Carthage’s General attacked the Romans in Italy (assembled a large force)

Eventually Carthage gave up Spain to Rome

Carthage had to give up its navy and pay a large fine

Aim: How did Rome’s government work?

Rome’s Government


Patricians – wealthy landowners and was Rome’s ruling class

Plebeians – artisans, shopkeepers, and small farmers

Roman citizens – right to vote, had to pay taxes, serve in the army, and only patricians can serve in government





Rome’s government and responsibilities

Consuls – top government officials (Patricians)

Headed the army

Ran the government

The power to veto (reject)

Continued

Praetors – to interpret the law and act as judges (handled taxes and public finance).

Senate – lawmaking body, gave advice to the consuls, propose laws, and debate important issues

Assembly of Centuries – elected important officials and they were under the control of the patricians

Continued

Plebeians always complained of having very little power

Office of the dictator – had complete control, ruled only during an emergency, and after the danger they gave up their power

HW # 9-3

Read pages 142-145.
Answer questions on page 145
5, 7 and 8.

Aim: How did geography play an important role in the rise of the Roman Republic?

Notes:
Geography of Italy


Is a peninsula

Alps mountains located across the top

Apennines mountain range runs north to south

Had good farmland

Mild climate and rich soil

Tiber River gave Rome its source of water

Rome was built on seven hills



How did Rome begin?

Story of Romulus and Remus

The Aeneid – story of Trojan hero Aineas leaves Troy and founded Rome

Historians are not sure how Rome began



Early Influences

Greeks and Etruscans played a role in shaping Rome

Etruscans – lived North of Rome

Moved South and took control of Rome

Were metalworkers

Enslaved people to do their heaviest work

Rome became wealthy and powerful



Answer the following question

Have you heard the phrase “winning hearts and minds?” What does the quote mean?





The Romans conquered and won the hearts and minds of people

Birth of the Roman Republic

509BC – Rome was established

Republic- a leader is not a king or queen but someone put in office by citizens with the right to vote

Citizens have the power







Continued

Rome was surrounded by enemies

Romans were excellent soldiers

Soldiers organized into small legions (smaller groups)

Romans built roads between towns

Romans gave full citizenship to some people

They could vote and serve in the gov’t

Romans granted other peoples the status of allies

As a result the Romans grew stronger

HW # 8-3

Read pages 134-139
Answer questions on page 139
3, 5, and 8.

Aim : What was life like in Sparta?

Spartan military


Boys and men were trained for war

Age 7 – training began

Age 20 – Men entered the military

Men stayed in the military till 60 yrs of age





“And he who falls among the champions and loses his own sweet life, So blessing with honor his city, his father, and all his people.” How does the poet view death in battle?

Women in Sparta

Girls were trained in sports, running, wrestling, and throwing the javelin

They were freer than other Greek women



Sparta’s Government

Was an oligarchy

Oligarchy- government in which ruling power belongs to a few people

The government discouraged foreign visitors

The government banned travel abroad except for military reasons

Frowned on people who studied literature and art

They knew less about science and trade

Played a key role in defending Greece

Why did the Spartan government want its young people to be physically fit?

Activity

Compose your own poem or song about Spartan warriors. You may work with another partner. Use your notes and the textbook to help you with your poem. You will also recite the poem or song in front of the class