CHAPTER 7 SECTION 1
Founding the Roman Republic
The land: Its geography and its importance







Sheltered by Alps to north
Toe and Heel in Mediterranean to south
To east lies Adriatic Sea
Able to control eastern and western halves of Mediterranean
Apennine Mountains run full length—not very rugged
Early trade and travel easy
Alps separate Italy from rest of Europe
o Several pathways cut through Alps
 Possible for enemies to invade
o Long coastline open to attack from sea
Rome and Beginning of an Empire


People live here during Paleolithic period
About 2000 B.C. invaders swept thru passes and overran peninsula
o From north of Black and Caspian Sea
Founding of Rome




Mid 700s B.C. Latin’s move into west central Italy
o Built villages along Tiber River
Late 600s B.C. Rome came under control of Etruscan Kings from Northern Italy
o Etruscans had written language
o Crafted jewelry, fine clothing—metal, pottery and wood working
o Knew how to drain swamps, pave roads, and construct sewers
Etruscans helped Rome grow into a prosperous city—blended with Roman
population
Greek colonies in Southern Italy and Sicily became city states
o Culture strongly influenced Romans
 Greek myths and gods—changed names
Strategic Location
 Built on 7 hills along Tiber
 15 miles inland from coast
 Built at crossroads of trade routes
Early Roman Republic



In 509 B.C. wealthy landowners overthrew Etruscan kings
Established Republic—voters elect officials to run state
o Only male adult citizens could vote and take part in government
Three groups helped govern Republic
o Senate
 Most influential and powerful
 Controlled public funds and foreign policy
 Sometimes acted as courts
 Approved dictators—could rule for 6 months in times of
emergency
 Complete control of army and courts
o Magistrates
 Included consuls, praetors and censors
 509 B.C. 2 citizens elected to serve as consuls – or chief
executive
o Served 1 year term
o Ran government, commanded armies, appointed
dictators
o Consuls governed w/ senate
o Each consul could veto other
o Checks and balances
 Praetors—helped consuls
 Commanded armies in war
 In peace oversaw legal system
 Censors
 Registered citizens according to wealth
 Appointed candidates to senate
 Oversaw moral conduct of citizens
o Assemblies
 Voted on laws and elected officials
 Some voted to make war or peace
 Others served as courts
 Elected 10 tribunes—power over actions by Senate and public
officials
Conflict of the Orders

Changes stemmed from many attempts of common people to win more rights
Patricians versus Plebeians
 Patricians
o Wealthy landowners who controlled government
o Inherited power
 Plebeians
o Made up majority of population
 Farmers and workers
o Had few rights
 Could vote but not hold office
o Could not know laws—were not written down
 Patricians served as judges
o Increased power through demands and strikes
 Gained rights to join army, hold office and form own assembly
 Forced government to wrote down laws
 450 B.C. 12 Tables established—placed in Forum for all to
see
o First plebeians appointed to government in late 400s B.C.
o After 342 B.C. one consul position was always a plebian
o By 300 B.C some plebeians became as powerful as Patricians—helped for
Roman Nobility
o Government positions were not paid—only wealthy could afford job
Republic grows



For 200 years fought wars against neighbors
By 265 B.C. controlled all of Italy—south of Rubicon
Extended Republic w/ well organized army and wise policies
Role of Roman Army




Every male citizen who owned land required to serve
Major unit was called a legion
o 4000-6000 soldiers or legionnaires
Later established auxilia or army of non citizens
In general army was well trained and morale was high
Role of Wise policies






Rome granted full citizenship to inhabitants of nearby Italian citizens
Granted partial citizenship to more distant cities—Greek Colonies in Italy
Partial citizens could own property and marry—but not vote
Allowed allies to remain independent butt allies would provide soldiers to Roman
army
Also expected conquered people to give land to Roman farmers
Helped Romans maintain control over conquered areas