Transcript File
Rome: The Beginning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPf27gAup9U Reference sites • http://www.localhistories.org/romhist.html • http://www.roman-empire.net/children/history.html • http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/roman-empire/brief-historyof-rome.htm • http://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_rome/romulus_and_rem us.php • http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/ancient-rome • http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/Romans.html • http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/life.html Early Rome • 1200 BCE - Europeans who spoke early Latin arrived on the Italian peninsula. • Small villages around the Tiber. • By 800 BCE – villages became « Rome » • Meanwhile, Greeks established colonies in South. • Etruscans were developing in North. • The Etruscans took territory all the way to Rome. • Roman Army – no match for the Etruscans (As they had mandatory military participation). • Ruled over Romans for 100 years! Rome under a foreign King • Etruscan ruling family: The TARQUINS. • Last foreign king of Rome: Tarquin the Proud. • Cruel, oppressive, against their religion In 509 BCE, Romans finally revolted, kicked him out, declared their independence, and vowed never again to be ruled by foreigners Etruscan Influence on Rome • First city walls • Archways • Alphabet • Gladiator Games • Chariot Race • Aqueducts • Roads • Romans kept mandatory military service. Roman Military Organization • Legions - groups of 4000 to 6000 men • Supported by light cavalry • Originally used Greek phalanx, but it didn’t work in rough terrain. • Centuries - 100 armed men Later they invented: • Maniples - 60 to 120 men (?) • Could move quickly through difficult terrain (better than phalanx) • Discipline • Death for individual insubordination Patricians (Nobles) • Controlled most of the land • Held key military & government positions • Made up 5% of Roman citizens Plebeians (commoners) • • • • • Most people were commoners Farmers, traders, artisans, shopkeepers, or peasants Plebeians paid the majority of taxes (made up 95% of Roman citizens) Could vote, but not hold office (in the senate) They were considered citizens… always wanting more rights Slaves At the bottom of society were slaves (mostly prisoners of war) & other non-Roman citizens – no rights – The Government of Ancient Rome Republic Rome was originally ruled by kings, but in 509 B.C. the Romans created a republic. A republic is a form of government in which citizens have the power to elect their leaders. No king by birth right! Aspects of the Republic 2 consuls • Government led by 2 consuls, originally both from the richest class (patricians). • Like a king – commanded the army and directed the government • Term was only a year • Not allowed to be elected for another 10 years • One consul could overrule the other • They also had to seek the advice and the approval of the Senate on all matters. • In times of emergency, one consul was allowed to be dictator for 6 months. • A dictator is a leader with absolute power to make laws and command the army. More Aspects of the Republic Senate • The senate had 300 members of the wealthy class and had the final say on all laws and taxation. They had VETO power (the right to overrule a decision). • Originally made up of the patricians (Wealthy upperclass) • Eventually, plebeians were allowed into the senate…. • Membership was for life Even More Aspects of the Republic Assembly • The Assembly was the more democratic side of the government. • Assembly of Centuries (looked after the concerns of the army) • Assembly of Tribes (comprised of plebeians that represented the 35 tribes to which Roman citizens belonged) • The Assembly was always in search of more power… two advantages: • Sheer numbers • Increasingly important presence in the military. Justice Judges Tribunes • The magistrates (judges/courts) were also controlled by the patrician class. • Elected officials from the Plebian class • Over saw the peoples assembly • Could summon the senate • Could propose legislation • Intervene on behalf of plebeians in legal matters • Power to veto the actions of the consuls and other magistrates • The plebeians didn’t like this either. • Plebeians eventually won more representation in government and the laws were codified… The Laws of Rome The laws of Rome were called the Twelve Tables which were hung in the forum for all citizens to see. The Twelve Tables were based on the idea that all citizens had a right to the protection of the law.