Governing Rome

Chapter 11.2

Tennessee Social Studies

• 6.59 On a historical map, identify ancient Rome and trace the extent of the Roman Empire to 500 AD

• 6.62 Describe the government of the Roman Republic and its contribution to the development of democratic principles, including but not limited to rule of law

•

Roman social classPatricians Plebeians

•Ruling class•Wealthy landowners

•Farmers, artisans, and merchants•Often lacked rights•Could not hold public office

Both had to pay taxes and serve in the army

Government of the Republic

• Roman Republic was organized into 3 branches:

1. Made laws

2. Ran daily affairs of government

3. Judges

• Checks and balances

• Consuls headed the government, also served as army leaders

• Consul could serve 1 year

• Could veto each other

• Praetors interpreted the law and served as judges, also led army

• Senate was the legislature– Group of 300 men– Served for life– Advised the consuls

• Assembly of Centuries elected consuls and praetors

Conflict Between Classes

• Plebeians became frustrated because they no power in government.– 494 BC plebs went on strike, refused to fight

in army, and left Rome– Patricians knew they could not survive without

the plebs. – Let the plebs have representation – The

Council of the Plebs– Plebs elected tribunes

More power for the Plebs

• Tribunes could veto

• Plebs were allowed to become consuls

• Plebs could even marry patricians

• 287 BC Council of Plebs could pass laws

Cincinnatus and Civic Duty

• Romans created the office of dictator– The dictator would rule during crisis and then

regular power would resume– Cincinnatus had been a consul.– 458 BC the Senate appointed him as dictator

to handle the threat of an enemy army.– For 2 weeks Cincinnatus led the army,

defeated the enemy, and then went back to farming.

Civic Duty

• Civic duty (idea that citizens have a responsibility to help their country)– George Washington was inspired by

Cincinnatus.

Rome’s System of Law

• Rome’s laws were not written down in the beginning

• Plebeians wanted the laws written down for all to see.

• 451 BC - Twelve Tables– Carved on bronze tablets and placed in the

Forum– Foundation for law, all free citizens had the

right to be treated equally

Roman Justice• Roman law influenced many other civilizations including

the United States– Assume a person is innocent until proven guilty– Rule of law – everyone treated the same, guiding

principle of our legal system

The Punic Wars

• Carthage, located along the north African coast, became powerful through trade.

• Originally been a Phoenician trading colony

• Became Rome’s bitter enemy

• 264 BC a series of war between the two began that would last over a century

First Punic War• Carthage had colonies on the island of Sicily. Rome decided it

wanted the island for itself.

• Carthage had a strong navy.

• Rome quickly built a navy of its own.

- improved the ships by adding moveable bridge allowing them to board Carthage’s ships

• After more than 2 decades of fighting, Rome defeated Carthage and took control of Sicily

Second Punic War

• Carthage needed more land and resources after losing Sicily to Rome.

• Carthage decided to take over Spain.• Rome encouraged Spain to fight back.• In response, Carthage sent Hannibal to attack Rome in

218 BC.• Hannibal had a large army of 46,000 men and 37

elephants.• Carthage used the elephants to cross the Alps.• Bitter cold and mountain tribes killed most of the men

and elephants.• 216 BC Hannibal was able to defeat the Romans at the

Battle of Cannae.

Second and Third Punic War

• Rome continued to fight back.• 206 BC the Roman general Scipio took Spain

and attacked the city of Carthage.• Hannibal was forced to return home to protect

his people.• 202 BC, Rome once again is victorious at the

Battle of Zama.• Carthage had to pay a huge fine and give up its

navy.• Carthage remained a threat, so finally in 146 BC

Rome destroyed it.