4_-_beginnings_of_governmentx
Download
Report
Transcript 4_-_beginnings_of_governmentx
Occupied
a plain north of Rome in a
region called Etruria.
They expanded their territory and
eventually beat Rome with their superior
armies.
• Compulsory military service vs. volunteer with
limited weapons
They
ruled for over 100 years until the
last Etruscan ruler (Tarquin the Proud)
was overthrown by the Romans.
From the Etruscans, the Romans learned:
• How to use the arch
• Build huge aqueducts
• Construct harbors
• Urban drainage systems
• Walled cities
• Some religious beliefs
• Alphabet (which later formed the basis of
English, French, Italian and Spanish)
• Compulsory military service
Following
the overthrow of Tarquin the
Proud, the Romans were determined
never again to be ruled by oppressive
kings.
They chose a form of government called
a republic where citizens elect
representatives to run everything.
• In the beginning only members of a noble family
could hold office
The
republic lasted for almost 500 years.
They
spent much of their early history
defending their fertile land from attacks.
They began to change their ideas about
defense and significantly modified their
military organization.
• No longer needed to recruit when the city was
threatened
• Any citizen who owned land had to undergo
training and serve in the army
• They also began paying their soldiers
Troops
were organized into legions of
4000 to 5000 men.
Originally 4 legions with more added if
seriously threatened.
Each legion was divided into 4 smaller
units or companies.
Rome
fought for control of the Italian
peninsula and by 265 BCE, they
controlled all of Italy.
Following each conquest, Rome made
allies of the defeated populations by
adopting a policy of fair treatment and
leniency.
Unlike
other conquerors (Egyptians and
Persians), the Romans took only a portion
of the conquered lands and allowed the
conquered people to keep the rest.
People were also allowed to keep their
own customs, government and laws,
though they had to acknowledge Roman
leadership.
Rome did not take slaves.
It
started to fall apart shortly after it
began.
There was a widening difference
between the wealthy and poor which led
to vicious power struggles.
The Senate represented the wealthy and
the Assembly represented the common
people.
For
almost a hundred years various
would-be leaders tried to seize power
through wars, plots, assassinations and
mass murders.
Control over the army became the key to
success.
Removed
the requirement of owning land
Also made the army a full-time
profession.
Soldiers were supplied with all their
weapons and clothing.
For signing up for a 16 (later 20) year
term, soldiers expected a piece of the
valuables collected and a piece of land.
Describe
the rise and fall of Julius
Caesar.
How did Octavian become the first
emperor of Rome?
Describe Octavian’s (Augustus) reign.
Exercised
almost total power with the
approval and goodwill of the Senate,
which remained influential throughout
the period.
No emperor ruled quite as successfully
as Octavian did.
• Because of this, all emperors who followed were
given the name Augustus in addition to their own
The
Roman empire was divided into
provinces, each about the size of a small
modern country.
• Britain was one province
• Gaul or modern France was four provinces
• Spain was two provinces
Highest
ranking official was the
governor.
Each province was allowed to govern
itself.
Town
Council officials and mayors were
elected every year.
Two mayors kept each other honest.
To be considered, candidates needed to
own land.
They administered public services such
as police and fire protection, water
supply, drainage, roads, markets,
temples, festivals and public
entertainment.
Laws
were written on 12 bronze tablets
and set up in the Forum for all to see.
The laws covered everything from wills,
property rights, court cases and even
public behavior of citizens.
The Law of the Twelve Tablets remained
the foundation of Roman civil and
criminal law for a thousand years.