Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity Roman Republic (509 BC-31 BC) Representative Gov’t 2 Patrician Consuls- annually elected -equal power -power to veto In times of war- 1 dictator given control- 6 mo. Term Senate- lawmaking body-300 Patricians- held enormous power Tribunes- represented and protected plebian interests- veto laws harmful to plebeians- eventually served in senate and consuls 509 BC 218 BC Hannibal invades Italy 48 BC Caesar becomes dictator 27 BC Octavian becomes Augustus Important Events, Facts, Details Laws of the 12 Tables made plebeian appeals of patrician judgments possible Lasting legacy of Republic- U.S adopts Roman Republic ideals such as senate, veto, and checks on political power Romans adopt Greek religion Rome defeats Carthage in 3 Punic Wars- Cato “Carthage must be destroyed” Roman Republic Declines due to corruption, widening gap between rich and poor, civil wars, power struggles among Roman leaders o Latifundia o Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus- Failed attempts at reform o Senate and popular leaders struggle for power o Julius Caesar becomes dictator- makes reforms- assassinated o Octavian and Mark Antony struggle for power Roman Empire (27 BC-AD 476) Emperor- inherited power- served for life- could be worshipped as god after death Senate- issued binding decrees, acted as high court- elected magistrates600 members -held little power compared to emperor AD 284 Diocletian divides Roman empire into 2 parts AD 312 AD 392 AD 476 Capital of Roman Christianity Odoacer unseats empire moves becomes official last Roman east to Roman religion emperor Constantinople Important Events, Facts, Details Pax Romana- “Roman Peace” peace, unity, prosperity- 200 years beginning w/ Augustus and ending with Marcus Aurelius o Underlying economic problems- “bread and circuses”- free entertainment and grain to feed poor Augustus builds a stable government o Created efficient, well-trained civil service to enforce laws o High-level jobs open to all men of talent o Census- tax system more fair o Postal service and issued new coins to make trade easier o Put jobless to work building roads and temples and farming Bad Emperors- Caligula and Nero Good Emperorso Hadrian- codified Roman law; built wall across Britain to hold back attackers from north o Marcus Aurelius- read philosophy while leading wars; committed to duty;