The Founding of Rome
and its Republic
Main Ideas
Culture – Stories about the beginnings of Rome are a mix of
legend and historical fact.
Geography – The people who settled Rome chose geographic location that was good for defense, travel,
and trade.
Economics – Early Roman society was divided into two unequal classes.
Government – The Roman Republic had a government divided into three parts.
The Beginnings of Rome
The Founding of Rome

According to legend, Romulus founded Rome in 753 B.C.E.

Twins – _______________________ – wanted to found city
o Twins fought over city’s position and Romulus killed
Remus
o __________: a popular story from earlier times that
cannot be proved

In reality, settled by the _____________

Earliest settlers were likely to be Greek or had contact with
Greek colonists

Roman kings ruled city until conquered by ______________________ in 600s B.C.E.

Romans overthrew Etruscans in __________________
o Formed _________________: government in which people elect leaders
But why this location?

Rome had ______ climate, good _______________, _____________ location
o Large plains made farming easier than in Greece

Built city on __________________ that could be defended
o Farmed at base of hills and lived on hilltops

City was close to __________________________ and its ___________ routes
o Helped in conquering new areas
o Lay next to ___________ River, which aided in trade and provided protection

____________ and Apennines Mountains protected Rome, but didn’t isolate it
Review Question:
Why was Rome’s location so favorable?
The Roman Republic
Patricians and Plebeians

Complex civilization developed, along
with two unequal classes

____________ – upper-class landowners
o Held high government positions

____________ – common farmers that
could vote but not hold power

Tensions over patricians’ power led to
written constitution
Legislative and Judicial

Roman government established ___________________ or three-branch government
o Legislative ___________________
o Executive _________________
o Judicial __________________

Legislative branch included Senate, assemblies
o ____________: 300 members, mostly patricians

Advised leaders
o _______________: mostly plebeian


Protected plebeian rights
Eight judges of judicial branch __________________ and _______________________
Executive

________________ led executive branch
o Commanded army
o Ran government for a __________
o Each consul could veto the other

In a crisis, consuls could choose ______________ to rule for limited time
Legacy of Roman Law

U.S. Government adopted Roman Republic’s tripartite system
o _____________________________ keeps one branch from getting too powerful
o Government based on written constitution

________________________ is important in republican government
o Citizens expected to _______________________________________
o American citizens vote, pay taxes, and serve on juries
Review:
Flip to the chart on the back on the questions for the reading – The Founding of Rome.