The Roman Republic, Part 1: Origins of Rome
I. Where is Italy?
Italy is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea
Easy to spot on a map- it is boot shaped
The small island located at the bottom is called Sicily
Was protected by the Apennines mountain range to the east & the Alps in the north.
II. Where is Rome?
Rome is a city; today is the capital of Italy. Location: Rome sit in a strategic location, far enough
inland to avoid invasion but close enough for people to port, about 15 miles inland.
Located on and around 7 hills, easy to protect
Rome sat on the Tiber River, it was their main water supply & provided access to the Med. Sea
III. Surrounded by Water
Italy is a peninsula. West side of Italy: Tyrrhenian Sea. East side of Italy: Adriatic Sea
South East (near boot): Ionian Sea, Italy will become the center of culture and trade b/c of its
geographic location in the Med Sea
IV. Rome’s Beginnings
No one knows for sure how Rome began
There are two legends:
1. Romulus and Remus: twin brothers in Roman mythology who supposedly founded
the city of Rome. Their father was the god Mars. Rescued by a wolf and raised by a
shepherd. They fought over a wall being built and Romulus killed Remus. Romulus
supposedly was the first king of Rome.
2. Aeniad: Virgil’s epic about a Trojan who traveled to Italy after the Trojan War.
Legend is he became the ancestor to the Romans. Aeneas was mentioned in the Iliad briefly,
and the story states that he wondered to Italy after the Trojan War, defeated the Latins &
became the ruler.
V. People Surrounding Rome
The Romans (first known as the Latins) were greatly influenced by two groups after 800 B.C.
1. Greeks: many had moved to Italy after the Greek dark age (750-550 BC) Romans adopted:
Greek alphabet, Greek architecture, literature, art & even the Greek religion.
2. Etruscans: Lived north of Rome . Took over the Latium Plain, conquered Rome in the
process. The Etruscans transformed Rome—influenced the design of their city, clothing and
especially military. Turned a beginning society into a civilization.
VI. Romans Rebel
Etruscans ruled Rome for over 100 yrs
Rome became very wealthy and powerful under the Etruscans
A ruling family under the Etruscans named the Tarquins became more cruel and harsh rulers.
In 509 BC, Romans rebelled and created a republic.
VII. Creating a Republic
The Romans created a republic after the overthrow of the Etruscans
Republic-- elected officials who run the gov’t, elected by the people. Citizens have
power/representative democracy.
Over the next 200 yrs, the Romans defeated all of their neighbors: other Latins & Greeks who lived
in southern Italy.
This is the beginning of a new Rome and they eventually become the strongest society in Italy
VIII. Reasons for Rome’s Strength
Learned much from the Etruscans
Army was disciplined and well trained (deserters were put to death)
Used legions-small groups of soldiers. Each legion had about 6000 men. Then they were subdivided
into groups of 60-100 men.
Roman soldiers had armor, a gladius (short sword), and a pilum (spear)
Italy: strategically located with natural protection
IX. Clever Rulers
As Rome conquered their neighbors they:
1. gave full citizenship to some (esp. other Latins), meaning they could vote.
2. Other groups were named Allies.
3. The Allies could rule their people any which way, but had to pay taxes and provide soldiers
to the Romans
Result: the Roman Republic grew stronger and more united. However they did use force if anyone
rebelled. By 267 B.C., Rome controlled most of Italy
Part 2: The Gov’t & Society of the Roman Republic
Two Types of Citizens
1. Plebeians: artisans, shopkeepers, small farm owners, majority of population.
2. Patricians: wealthy landowners (nobles)
Similarities: Both groups were citizens (the men), had the right to vote, paid taxes & served in the
army. Differences: marriage between the 2 groups was forbidden, only patricians could serve in the
gov’t, plebeians had less social status. Every Roman was in one group or the other
What is a republic?
A republic is a democracy
A republic is needed for societies with large populations
This is where the people vote on representatives (today politicians) to speak for them in the gov’t--there are too many people in a society for everyone to vote on every topic.
The United States is a republic.
Rome’s Gov’t
Roman Republic’s gov’t organization:
1. Consuls: top gov’t official. Two consuls were elected every year. Were head of the gov’t
and the army. One consul could reject, or veto (Latin for “I forbid”), the other’s decision.
2. Praetors: judges who interpreted the law.
3. Senate: legislation/lawmakers. Made up of 300 patrician men who served for life. Started out
weak but became extremely powerful over time.
4. Assembly of Centuries: another legislative body, passed laws, elected consuls & praetors.
5. Dictator: these were needed only during times of emergency or crisis. After the crisis had
passed they gave up their power. Senate appointed the dictator.
Roman Law
Twelve Tablets: first code of Roman laws. Were carved in bronze so all could see; 451 B.C.
The tablets established that all free citizens had the right to be treated equally & fairly by the legal
system. This applied only to Roman citizens.
The Twelve Tablets did not apply to the people that they conquered.
The Rule of Law
Rome’s legal system is the basis for our legal system today.
The “rule of law”: the idea that all people should be treated the same way by the legal system,
first to put this idea into practice.
The rule of law is the foundation for the U.S. legal system.
Part 3 Rome Expands: The Punic Wars
Rome Expands
As Rome’s gov’t developed, problems arose in the military arena.
Rome had conquered the peninsula of Italy
A new enemy, the state of Carthage, created new problems for Rome
Carthage was in North Africa
Founded by the Phoenicians around 800 B.C.
Carthage was a trading giant, therefore it was very wealthy and had become very powerful
By 300 B.C., Carthage was the most powerful city in the Western Mediterranean Sea
They were much more powerful than Rome
First Punic War
By 264 B.C., Carthage & Rome were on the brink of war
Both wanted control of Sicily
Rome sent troops into Sicily to prevent a takeover by the Carthaginians.
Carthage was adamant about stopping the Romans
This was the First Punic War & it lasted for 20 years.
Punic means Phoenician in Latin
Rome eventually defeated Carthage & gained control of Sicily
The 2nd Punic War
Bad relations remained between Carthage & Rome for many years
When Carthage sent troops into Spain to take control of land, Rome felt it as a threat
They did not want Carthage so close to Italy, therefore they helped the Spanish rebel against Carthage
Carthage was furious; they sent their best general, Hannibal, to attack Rome in 218 B.C., this marked
the beginning of the 2nd Punic War
Hannibal’s Invasion
Hannibal is one of the most famous generals in history for being one of the most ingenious and creative
generals of all time.
He ranks with Alexander the Great.
Hannibal almost beat Rome; but many outside circumstances prevented the victory.
If Hannibal, had won and Rome defeated, todays world would most likely be very different.
The Course of the 2nd Punic War
Hannibal invaded from Northern Italy, not what Rome expected.
He went through Spain & through the Alps.
The weather & terrain of the Alps killed many of Hannibal’s troops before they reached Italy.
The Battle of Cannae was the first battle b/t the Romans & Carthaginians. Romans lost
The Romans knew they were going to be defeated if they didn’t act—they decided to divide their army
& send ½ to Carthage.
Risky strategy but it worked
Hannibal left Rome to defend his homeland
Battle of Zama: Roman troops defeated the Carthaginians & won the 2nd Punic War. Rome now
controlled the Western Mediterranean Sea.
Over the next few years, Rome also conquered:
Macedonia, Greece, & begin to take areas in the Middle East (Alexander the Great’s former empire)
Winning the 2nd Punic War is what escalated Rome to a superpower status. They now seemed
undefeatable & were the dominant force on the Mediterranean Sea.