Transcript Once Rome became a republic in 509BC, the city

Rome Becomes a Super-Power
Essential Question:
• What were the keys to Rome’s success?
Expanding local power…
• Once Rome became a republic in
509BC, the city fought wars to
unite Italy until 264BC.
• Head “Latin League” to fight
against Etruscan rule.
– Eventually conquer all of Italy.
Expanding the Republic…
• There was much conflict
between the Patricians and the
Plebeians during this time…
• Patricians vs. Plebeians
– Plebeians wanted political
and social equality.
• 471BC – Council and Tribunes
of the Plebs created
• 300’sBC – Plebeians gain full
citizenship, equal rights.
– Marriage between classes
allowed.
• 287BC – Council of the Plebs
is given the right to pass laws.
– One consul must also now be
Plebeian!
Expanding regional power…
• In 264BC, Carthage
was the largest and
richest state in the
Mediterranean.
– Had an enormous
trading empire.
• Rome feared how
close the
Carthaginian colony
of Sicily was.
Punic Wars
• First Punic War (264BC)
– Rome takes Sicily.
• Second Punic War (219BC)
– Carthaginian general Hannibal
invades Italy through Spain.
• Brings 46,000 men, horses, and 37
elephants.
– Hannibal defeats Roman army and
takes much of Italy.
• Cannot take Rome.
• Wanders around Italy for 4 years.
– Rome raises another army and
invades Carthage.
• Hannibal must retreat – he is
defeated in 202BC.
• “Scipio Africanus” crushed
Carthaginian forces, put in charge
of province.
– Name “Africa” after him!
– Romans also get Spain.
• Third Punic War (146BC)
– Rome destroys Carthage.
– Also take Macedonia, Greece, and
Pergamum during this time.
A New Type of Law…
• The Twelve Tables proved inadequate for the
expanding Roman Republic…
– Only applied to citizens.
• “Law of Nations”
– Based on the concept of Natural Law.
• A person was assumed innocent until proven otherwise.
• The accused should be able to defend themselves before a judge.
• The judge was expected to carefully weigh evidence and not be
biased in decision making.
• Praetors were sent to the new provinces to
carry out Roman justice.
Towards empire…
• By 129BC, Rome had
complete control of the
Mediterranean.
– What made them so
successful?
• Good diplomats
– Governors sent to control
provinces.
» Provinces allowed to run
local affairs.
– Praetors administer justice.
• Excellent military
– resilient
• A well connected empire…
– As they conquered, they built
cities and roads.
The Roman Economy
•
•
•
Based on farming and trade.
As new areas were conquered, their goods were sought out by the rest of
Rome.
Began trading with China and India via the Silk Road.
Exit Ticket
Answer the following in about a paragraph
before the end of class…
Why do empires grow and prosper? Use
Rome as an example…
Roman Confederation Stuff (Cut)
– To control all the different communities, Rome
set up the Roman Confederation.
• Some people allowed full Roman citizenship.
• Communities were made allies.
– Allowed to run own local affairs.
– Must provide soldiers for Rome.
– Loyal allies could become Roman citizens!
– This made the conquered people feel like they
helped Rome succeed!