Transcript The Building of an Empire

The Building of an Empire
ROME
Unit I: 8000 BCE – 600 CE
A
B
D
Do Now: Make a
story about the
development of
Roman
Government
F
G
C
E
H
A
D
G
Life in Rome had two major social classes: The poor
majority (Plebeians)
And the wealthy Patricians.
Plebeians had no rights and were at the mercy of the
Patricians.
B
C
E
Plebeians revolted and refused to work until they were given
more rights.
Consuls and Senate for Patricians.
F
H
A new structure was developed which
allowed Plebeians certain positions in
government.
Tribunes and Assembly for Plebeians.
Written Law code was created to protect every citizen
equally.
The Republic
A) In 509 BCE Latins Rebel against the Etruscans, overthrow the King
B) Established a Republic, a government in which citizens have the right to
choose their leaders
C) Roman Republic was NOT a democracy – citizens did not have equal rights
•
Discipline, strength and loyalty – qualities called gravitas
• All male citizens could take part in politics
• Two social classes emerged:
Patricians
Plebeians
• Roman aristocrats
• Roman Commoners
• Wealthy, landowning elite
• poor workers
• Minority
• Majority
Structure of Government
Consuls
• Chosen by the Senate
• 2 chosen each year
• Head of State – commanded army
• Could become Dictator for 6
months in times of need
Senate
• Main lawmaking body
• 300 Patricians appointed for life
• Controlled foreign affairs
• Selected Dictator
• Veto (I forbid) power over Senate
Tribunes
Assembly
• Elected by the Plebeians
• 2 to 10 Chosen by Plebeian Council
• Approved Consuls
• Could Veto actions of the Consuls
and the Senate
• Later given power to pass laws
The Twelve Tables of Law
•
•
•
•
Finally in 450B.C. the laws were engraved on 12 bronze
tablets called the Twelve Tables. They were displayed
in the Forum, so all citizens could see their rights.
First written law code in Rome – written in 451 B.C.E.
All Free citizens had equal protection under the law.
Protected the rights of the Plebeians
Marriages between plebeians
and patricians are forbidden
An obviously deformed child must
be put to death.
A person who admits to owing money or has been adjudged to owe money must
be given 30 days to pay.
If a father sells his son into slavery three times, the son shall be free of his father
B
C
A
E
F
D
Make a story about
Roman Expansion!
G
I
H
They fought a series of wars known as the
Punic wars
H
D
Rome and Carthage were rivals for control over
Mediterranean trade
Carthage General, Hannibal, had a plan to surprise the Romans
from the north
A
E
B
I
Hannibal brought an army with elephants across
the Med sea
And over the Alps! 70,000 soldiers and 37 elephants
made the journey
G
Meanwhile, Roman General, Scipio, sailed to
Carthage!
C
F
After winning many battles, Hannibal returns to
Carthage.
However, Scipio defeats Hannibal and burns Carthage
down!
Hannibal drinks poison rather than be
controlled by Romans!
Expansion of Power
A) Conquered Italy: By 264 BCE – Ruled all of Italy
B) The Punic wars (264-146 BCE) Series of Three wars
• Rome defeats major rival Carthage located in Northern Africa
• Hannibal: Carthage General who crossed alps with army and
elephants
• After fierce battles, Rome destroyed Carthage and controlled
the Mediterranean
C) Roman power soon spread throughout Europe and Northern Africa
Roman Conquest
Central Location
• Rome was in the middle of the Italian peninsula
• Italy was in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea
• Professional armies were well-trained
Powerful Army
• Accomplished Generals were brilliant strategists
• Roman Legions – Armed infantry of 6,000 men
• Conquered land and fortified towns
Attitude of Superiority
• Sense of duty, courage, discipline
• Ethnocentric belief – they should rule all!
• Livy’s account of Cincinnatus
Ability to move Army
• Built roads, bridges, water routes that
made travel easier
Roman Control
Organized Government
• Brought law and order to many distant lands
• Created written laws that all citizens followed
• Gave citizenship to conquered people.
Treatment of Conquered
People
Improved Economy
• People were allowed to keep customs and
traditions
• People had religious freedom but had to also
pay homage to Roman Gods
• Roman roads, bridges, canals helped
increase trade
• Size of Empire allowed for the movement
of a large variety of goods – led to cultural
diffusion and new technology
Roman Republic
Julius Caesar
Assassination of Caesar
Pax Romana
Decline of Roman Empire