ancient rome. rome’s beginnings the capitoline wolf sculpture depicts a she-wolf suckling romulus...
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ROME’S BEGINNINGS
The Capitoline Wolf sculpture depicts a she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, Rome's legendary founders. Now a symbol of Rome.
Legends
Much of Rome’s early history comes from legends. The legends may not be totally accurate but are useful in giving the qualities and values the early Romans admired.
Etruscans Rome’s powerful neighbors to the north from Etruria
Were wealthy traders
Controlled Rome from 575 – 509 BCE
Gave the Romans their alphabet and the “arch”
Rome becomes a walled city with paved roads
Built Circus Maximus, Temple of Jupiter, Cloaca Maxima
Tarquin the Proud
Seventh and last king
Was cruel and terrorized his people
Ignored the Senate
509 BCE Romans rebel and send him into exile
1)Rome was a city-state in Italy
2)Rome’s climate is a Mediterranean climate with summers being hot and dry and winters being wet and mild
5) Built on hills – made it hard to attack
On Tiber River – transportation route, resources
15 miles from the sea – safe from others’ navies and storms
Center of Italy – could easily get to other places in Italy and in the Mediterranean
Mare Nostrum means “our sea” – eventually Rome controls all of the lands around the Mediterranean Sea
PATRICIANS• The upper class –
wealthy landowners• Very small group –
5% of the population• Chose the king’s
advisors• Controlled the most
valuable land, held the key military and religious offices
PLEBEIANS• The lower class –
peasants, laborers, artisans, shopkeepers
• Very large group – 95% of the population
• Very few privileges and say
• Paid most of the taxes and served in the army.
A Republic form of government’s purpose is to serve the people. It was established in Rome when the Patricians overthrew the last monarch/king Tarquin the Proud because King Tarquin wanted more power and was cruel.
The Conflict of the Orders is when the Plebeians demanded more political rights because the Patricians were controlling almost everything since Tarquin’s removal.
Some Major Differences Between the Patricians and the Plebeians
• Patricians could only be consuls or senators, they made and interpreted the laws, small group, wealthy, etc.
• Plebeians paid the heavy taxes, were the soldiers, had no political powers, were the labor force, large group
The conflict between the Plebeians and the Patricians was resolved over time by the Plebeians would leave Rome and refuse to work or serve in the military and the Patricians would compromise with the Plebeians by giving them some power and say in the government each time this happened.
Rights gained by the Plebeians over the years:
• Tribunes of the Plebs to represent their interests to the Senate
• Council of Plebs that could make laws only about themselves
• All laws were written down – The Twelve Tables
• One consul had to be a plebeian – in this way it was possible for a plebeian to become a senator
• Eventually could make laws that everyone (patricians and plebeians) must obey/follow
CONSULS• One patrician and one
plebeian • Head/leaders of the
Republic• Run the day to day
affairs of Rome and command its army
SENATORS
• Three hundred patricians and ex-plebeian consuls
• They can make and veto laws about everyone• Advised the consuls
Tribunes of the Plebs
• Ten plebeians who represent plebeian interests to the senate
• Advised the consuls• They can make and veto laws
about everyone
Citizens Assemblies
• Made up of all adult male Roman citizens• Nominated people to be the consuls, to be
members of the senate, and to be a Tribunes of the Plebs
• Approved or rejected all new laws
1) took great pride in their Republic and defended it
2) treated conquered groups as allies
3) the Roman army was disciplined and experienced
4) military success was greatly valued and admired by Romans
5) winning wars was a great source of wealth to the Romans – land, valuables, slaves, etc.
1) farmers would be gone a long time fighting
2) wealthy were controlling all of the land 3) there were many poor and unemployed people in Rome
4) Roman leaders quarreled and, at times, killed one another
5) the slaves rebelled
CAUSE
Greedy, dishonest leaders
EFFECT
The poor felt no loyalty to the Roman government who was keeping them poor
CAUSE
The poor felt no loyalty to the Roman government who was keeping them poor
EFFECT
Conflicts between rich and poor people grow
CAUSE
Professional soldiers who were poor citizens and only made money if they won a battle
EFFECT
Soldiers only loyal to the generals who paid them
CAUSE
Power hungry generals fight one another for control of government
EFFECT
Caesar’s rivals fear he is becoming too powerful and declare him a public enemy
CAUSE
Caesar crosses the Rubicon River and brings his army with him to Rome
EFFECT
Civil War breaks out for three years