Transcript Lecture 9: The Creation of the Roman Republic

Lecture 9: The Creation of the Roman Republic
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Origins of prehistory of Romans not clear but by
1500 BCE Indo-Europeans moved into Italian
peninsula; by 1000 BCE inhabited by Greeks
and Etruscans
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According to legend, Rome founded by twins
Romulus and Remus; father was the god Mars
and mother a vestal virgin
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In 753 BCE Romulus kills Remus and founds
Rome on seven hills overlooking Tiber River
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Rome evolved from group of Latin villages;
conquered by Etruscans in 6th century; Tarquin
dynasty established
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Tarquins have armed assembly which elects
king by acclamation but plays no political role
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Tarquins encourage trade and create sewer
system; build shrine to Jupiter on Capitoline Hill
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Greeks land on Italian peninsula by 750 BCE
near Bay of Naples, Brindisi and Sicily
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Greeks introduce cultivation of olives and grapes
for wine, alphabet and artistic and cultural models
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Etruscans would most influence early Romans;
Herodotus believed they came from Asia Minor
because language and religion resembled Near
Eastern cultures
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Early Romans were pastoral, spoke Latin, adopted
toga and short cloak of Etruscans, as well as
Etruscan alphabet (Greek)
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Etruscans constructed first roads for main street
through Rome; drained area which would become
the Roman Forum
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Romans attributed end of Etruscan rule to myth
of rape of Lucretia; more likely that end of rule
resulted from revolt by Roman nobles who had
lost power when military changed from cavalry
to hoplite system of Etruscans
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During early republican period, Rome surrounded
by enemies; joined league of Latin allies
according to historian Livy
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Livy said Rome was also under siege by Celts
(Gauls)
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By 300’s BCE Latium League falls apart because
of resentment of Roman domination
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By 264 BCE Rome conquers all of Italy except
extreme north
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Roman success attributed to application of
consistent policies, good diplomacy and practice
of offering citizenship to conquered people
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Roman government and society based on
pragmatism, not ideals, unlike Greeks
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Romans believed in concept of “imperium” =
the right to command
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Power of Roman magistrates only limited by
prospect of potential trial after their term ended
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Leader of Romans was “consul/praetor”
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Romans had two consuls chosen annually by
the senate; select counsel of 300 men who
served for life
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By 3rd century BCE advice of senate had the
force of law
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366 BCE separate office of “praetor” created
who governed Rome and lead armies when
consuls were away
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Popular assemblies: comitia centuriata (army);
represented the wealthy and could pass laws
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“Concilium plebid” = plebeian assembly made
up of representatives of the common people
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Roman society had two basic classes: patricians
(wealthy) and plebeians (lower class)
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Patricians descended from original Roman
senators during the period of kings
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Patricians controlled religious privileges which
allowed them to control politics
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Patricians created the idea of “patronage” =
positions for friends and family
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“Paterfamilia” = head of family; responsible for
their extended families and “clients” (those
without wealth or power who provided services
to paterfamilia
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Roman system of client-patronage became
an hereditary institution
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“Plebeians” did not descend from the original
monarchy but were often wealthier than
Patricians
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Wealthy Plebeians were either large land
owners or merchants
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In 494 BCE Plebeians used their numerical
and military strength to force Romans to grant
them to hold political office and intermarry
with Patricians
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Plebeian revolt accomplished by literally
seceding from Roman state, leaving Patricians
militarily vulnerable
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By 287 BCE all Roman citizens were equal
under the law
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After 287 BCE intermarriage of Plebeians
and Patricians creates new class: “nobiles”
which dominates political offices