Transcript THE ROMAN WORLD TAKES SHAPE

Focus 11/17
Italy benefited from the Apennines Mountains not being very
rugged, broad fertile plains for settlement, and no small isolated
valleys. Once Italy was united, the Romans set up a Republic,
where officials are chose by the people.
Points for Discussion: Explain how the geography of Italy was
beneficial.
Term to Know: Legislature
Critical Lens: A republic is different than a democracy.
THE ROMAN WORLD
TAKES SHAPE
Rome
ROMAN BEGINNINGS

Roman ancestors, the Latins, migrated to Italy
and settled by Tiber River
ROMAN GOVERNMENT

Romans set up a Republic – a representative
government where citizens vote for people to
make decisions for them.
ROMAN REPUBLIC

Two Consuls elected to serve for one year
ROMAN REPUBLIC

Senate – Representative body for Patricians
(Wealthy)
ROMAN REPUBLIC

Tribal Assembly – Representative body for
Plebians (common people and poor)
ROMAN REPUBLIC

Roman Senate
- most powerful governing body in Rome was
Senate
- 300 members were all patricians (land
holding rich)
- Plebians (poor and common people)
demanded rights
LAWS OF THE TWELVE TABLES

Laws of the 12 Tables became basis for
Roman legal system.
LAWS OF THE TWELVE TABLES

When the litigants (complainants) settle their case by
compromise, let the magistrate (Judge) announce it.
If they do not compromise, let them state each his
own side of the case, in the courthouse of the forum
before noon. Afterwards let them talk it out together,
while both are present. After noon, in case either
party has failed to appear, let the magistrate (Judge)
pronounce judgment in favor of the one who is
present. If both are present the trial may last until
sunset but no later.
LAWS OF THE TWELVE TABLES


Let the government keep the road in order. If they
have not paved it, a man may drive his team of horses
where he likes
If one is slain while committing theft by night, he is
rightly slain.
HOW ARE THE ABOVE LAWS
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF
PEOPLE? EXPLAIN
LAWS OF THE TWELVE TABLES


Laws of the Twelve Tables made it possible
for Plebians (common and poor people) to
appeal a judgment from a Patrician (rich
landowner) Magistrate (Judge)
Laws of the Twelve Tables gave Plebians
some rights
CLOSURE




Based on your knowledge of geography, how did the
geography of Italy make the Italian peninsula easier
to unite than Greece.
Compare and contrast the democracy of Athens with
the Roman Republic.
Does the Roman Republic share any similarities to
the United States? Explain specifics.
How are the Pillars of Asoka, Hammurabi’s Code, the
Ten Commandments, and the Roman Laws of the 12
Tables similar?