Transcript Trusty Etruscan rule 800-508 BC

History Of
Early Rome
Romulus and Remus
• Mother was Rhea SilviaVestal Virgin
• Raped by Mars
• Uncle ordered babies to
be drowned
• “Suckled by wolf’
• Raised by Faustulus
• Romulus killed Remusand founded Rome in
753 BC
Romulus and Remus
• A nice myth!!!
• Vergil even said that Romulus was a
decendent of Aeneas, a survivor of the
Trojan War!
• Now tell us the real story!
• Ok, if you insist!
Real story!!!
• Rome founded by Latins living near the
Tiber River
• Good place for defense! Not as much fun,
but it’s probably the truth.
Trusty Etruscan rule 800-508
B.C.
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Probably from Lydia
Take control of Rome by 600 B.C.
They get no respect!
Yet much of Roman culture comes from
Etruscans
Real story cont.
• Rome became a strong city state
dominated by Etruscans (around 600 B.C.)
• Rich Romans called Patricians (12
families) given local control
• Rome hated the Etruscans
What do they do for Rome?!?!
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Founded many cities in Northern Italy
Used stone walls and arches
Loved to wage war!!!
Introduced blood sports
Chariot racing (racing is a blood sport)
Art (great bronze work, lousy pots)
Eastern religion
How to get rid of them!
• In 509BCE, Romans expelled the last
Etruscan king
• Sextus Tarquin
• Lucius Collatinus
• Lucretia
The Republic
• Romans hated the idea of a king,
established a government of the patricians
• Lower classes had almost no power
(plebians)
• Changes somewhat over time (government
chart)
• Class struggle between rich and poor a
constant in Rome
• Slaves had no power
Republic Cont.
• Successful aliens could gain citizenship
• (Many people wanted citizenship)
Patricians
• Wealthy
Plebeians
Landowners
•Low Class
(workers)
•Have a say in
government
•95% of people
•Held military and
religious positions
•No say in
government
•Forced to serve
in the army
Rome Before the Republic
• Ruled by kings “Rex”
• Patricians tired of obeying king, wanted
more participation in government
• Wanted more rights for citizens
• Revolted, King Tarquinius fled
• Republic “public good” a government
good for everyone
• Plebeians wanted equality
• Left the city- both compromised
Forms of Government
Monarchy
rule by one person
Democracy
rule by the people
Oligarchy
rule by a an elite few
(aristocracy)
Dictatorship one person absolute rule
Romans choose a Complex
Government
• Based on “rule of law”
written laws to protect themselves and
their liberty
• Chose a “mixed government”
combined strengths of all forms of
governments
• Balanced government “separation of
powers
no one group has all the power
The Roman Republic –
The System of Checks and Balances
The system was based on balance of interests
Monarchical
Aristocratic
Democratic
2 Consuls
+ other magistrates
Senate
Assembly of Tribes
Tribune
Directed government and army Controlled state budget
Acted as judges
Could pass laws
Could issue edicts
Acted as chief priest
Approved/rejected laws
Decided on War
Tribune could veto actions of
magistrate
Acted as final court
Basis of power:
possess imperium, the right to
rule
need for leadership
Basis of power:
members were richest men in
Rome.
Basis of power:
provided most of the soldiers
Limits on power:
one year term
each could veto
Limits on power:
could not control army
needed majority as soldiers.
Limits on power:
Could not suggest laws
often paid as clients by the
elite
This diagram shows the
ladder of political
advancement –
Cursus Honorum.
The straight ladder shows
the typical path of
advancement
(theoretically open to all
freeborn male citizens),
beginning with election to
quaestor, the lowest
office, and proceeding to
consul, the highest (very
few men made it that far).
Magistrates
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2 consuls
8 praetors
2 censors
4 aediles
10 tribunes
20 quaestors
Senate
• composed of 300 to 600 magistrates and exmagistrates.
• Senate was the chief governmental body
because it controlled public finances and foreign
affairs, assigned military commands and
provinces, and debated and passed decrees
that would be submitted to the assemblies for
final ratification
• the Republican government was symbolized by
the letters SPQR (senatus populus que
Romanus), meaning “the Senate and the Roman
people”
The Senate met in a building called
the Curia located in the Roman
Forum
Roman Army
• Legion 5,000 to 6,000 men
– Two Legions made an army
• Until 390 B.C. only patricians served in the
army
• Plebians served as Legionnaires
The Centurion
• Was a rank of an officer who controlled
100-200 men
• Became a strong political force in late
Republic
Tactics
• Dropped phalanx for “maniple”
• Each maniple made of two centuries
• Caused problems for phalanx
Roman Army Cont.
Weapons
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Javelin/plate armor/heavy pack
Short Swords
Wing archers/slingers
Catapults
Earth ramps, wheeled towers
Roman Army Cont
Military Life
• Like Sparta, Romans started early (age
10)
• Key to Roman Army was discipline
– Cowardice: flogging to death
– Thievary: Right hand cut off
– Deviation from orders...
• Beheading
Camp Life (No Boy Scout camp)
• Simple food: Bread, porridge, vegetables,
sour wine
• Caesor’s troops rioted when they had to
eat meat
• No pay until 390 B.C.
• Most money came from “Booty”
Glory in Victory
• Roman triumphs