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
Essential Question:
What is the early
history of Rome?
The Founding of Rome
• According to legend,
Romulus founded
Rome in 753 B.C.E.
• Twins – Romulus and
Remus – wanted to
found city
– Twins fought over city’s
position and Romulus
killed Remus
– Legend: a popular story
from earlier times that
cannot be proved
• In reality, settled by
the Latins
The Founding of Rome
• Earliest settlers were
likely to be Greek or
had contact with
Greek colonists
• Roman kings ruled
city until conquered
by Etruscans in 600s
B.C.E.
• Romans overthrew
Etruscans in 509
B.C.E.
– Formed republic:
government in which
people elect leaders
But why this location?
• Rome had mild climate, good farmland,
strategic location
– Large plains made farming easier than in Greece
• Built city on seven hills that could be defended
– Farmed at base of hills and lived on hilltops
• City was close to Mediterranean Sea and its
trade routes
– Helped in conquering new areas
– Lay next to Tiber River, which aided in trade and
provided protection
• Alps, Apennines Mountains protected Rome,
but didn’t isolate it
Review Question:
Why was Rome’s
location so favorable?
The Roman Republic
Essential Questions:
How was Roman society
structured?
How was the republican
government organized?
Patricians and Plebeians
• Complex civilization
developed, along with
two unequal classes
• Patricians – upperclass landowners
– Held high government
positions
• Plebeians – common
farmers that could
vote but not hold
power
• Tensions over
patricians’ power led
to written constitution
Legislative and Judicial
• Roman government established tripartite or
three-branch government
– Legislative makes law
– Executive enforces law
– Judicial interprets law
• Legislative branch included Senate, assemblies
– Senate: 300 members, mostly patricians
• Advised leaders
– Assemblies: mostly plebeian
• Protected plebeian rights
• Eight judges of judicial branch oversaw courts
and governed provinces
Executive
• Two consuls led executive branch
–Commanded army
–Ran government for a year
–Each consul could veto the other
• In a crisis, consuls could choose
dictator to rule for limited time
Legacy of Roman Law
• U.S. Government adopted Roman
Republic’s tripartite system
– Checks and balances keeps one branch from
getting too powerful
– Government based on written constitution
• Citizenship is important in republican
government
– Citizens expected to perform civic duties
– 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.