Guided Notes – Ancient Rome

200 years a Kingdom-500 years a republic – 500 years an empire

Alexander the Great

King of Macedonia died in 323 B.C.

His general split the empire into 3 parts – Macedonia, Egypt and Persia

Power shifted from Greece on the Balkan Peninsula to Rome on the Italian Peninsula

Peoples of Italy

The “Latin's or Romans” migrated from over the Alps into Italy in about 800 B.C. - they were herders and farmers

People settled near the Tiber River◦An area of 7 hills for defense and nice place to

live◦Near water but not on the coast◦Rome 18 miles from the sea

Etruscans

Another group of people was called the Etruscans- they ruled much of central Italy

Etruscans brought Greek ideas to RomeAfter 100 years of rule- In 509 B.C.

Romans drove the Etruscans out and set up a Republic form of government

Republic means of the people◦Forum grew in the center of town for trade and

public discussion

Rome’s geography

ADVANTAGES◦Protected by

mountains◦Apennine Mountains

are not hard to travel through for travel

◦Peninsula –great for trade

DISADVANTAGES◦Separated from the

rest of Europe by Alps◦Open for enemy

attacks due to coastline and Apennine Mountains

After removing the Etruscan kings, Rome vowed to never have a king again

A republic gave citizens the right to vote for their leaders

Roman Class system

Patricians were the wealthy aristocratsPlebeians were the merchants and farmersSlaves were popular but not considered

citizens

Roman Republic

The Romans used the three best governments they knew:

monarchy aristocracy Democracy

Roman Republic

CONSULSMonarchy

2 consuls who served one year terms and could veto each other’s decisions

DUTIES: command army, ran government, appoint dictator in times of emergency

LIMITS: only could serve one year terms

Senate

SENATE Aristocracy

330 member Senate (eventually spread to Plebs)DUTIES: controlled budget, proposed and passed

lawsLIMITS: could not control army

◦CENSORS:◦Took census; upheld laws (courts)

◦PRAETORS:◦Made laws; served as military commanders

Tribunes (the plebs get power!)

ASSEMBLIESDemocracy

TRIBUNES(35 tribes elected 10 officials) came from all over the Republic to represent the plebs VOICE

DUTIES: could VETO Senate’s laws; decided to declare war or not

LIMITS: could not propose laws

Roman Citizenship

Citizenship extended to:◦People born in Roman territories

◦Through naturalization (petitioning for citizenship by foreigners)

◦Slaves who are freed by Roman masters

Romans in the Forum

The Forum was a place in the center of town where the temple and government buildings were located.

12 tables posted

Julius Caesar

First dictator for lifeLed the RepublicAssassinated by his Senate13 years of civil warJulius’s adopted son gained control

Augustus Caesar (Octavian)

Timeline

509 BCE Roman Republic founded450 BCE 12 tables adopted367 BCE Plebeians are allowed as consuls264 BCE Rome controls all of the Italian Peninsula265-146 BCE Romans conquer the Mediterranean Area120 BCE – 44BCE Breakdown of the Republic44 BCE Julius Caesar rules27 BCE Octavian Caesar becomes emperor of the

Roman Empire

Roman Empire

Augustus spread the Roman control far beyond the Italian Peninsula

Empire stretched from Britain to Mesopotamia

Roman’s ruled wiselyUsed their army for protection and

building