Roman Government & Laws Review

Roman Government Three Phases

Roman Kingdom– 753 to 509 BC

• How many years is this?__224_____

Roman Republic– 509 to 27 BC

• How many years is this?__482___

Roman Empire– 27 BC to 476 AD

• How many years is this?__503____

Rome’s Mythical Beginnings: Roman Kingdom

The road to a Roman Kingdom (753 to 509 BC) begins with the legendary myth of Romulus and Remus.Romulus and Remus– Twin boys sent adrift in a basket on the Tiber River on

the order of their great uncle.– Found and cared for by a wolf until a shepherd takes

them in.– They decide to build a city on the river banks were they

were saved, but there is a disagreement on where to build this city.

• Romulus kills Remus to build the city of Rome. • Romulus becomes king of Rome.

Rome Becomes a RepublicRoman Republic (509 to 27 BC) began when the last Roman King, or tyrant was overthrown.– Tarquinius was overthrown in 509 BC

Roman Republic lasts about 480 years, but eventually dictators start to emerge.– Lucius Cornelius Sulla started a civil war by marching his

troops into Rome, and he becomes a dictator.

Strict Social Classes: Patricians (upper) and Plebeians (lower)– Written Laws: The Twelve Tables

The Law of the Twelve TablesThe reason for the creation of the laws was to appease the plebeians.– In 494 BC, invaders threaten Rome and the Plebeians

refuse to fight until their rights were expanded.• Without the Plebeians there would be no Roman Army to

speak of…– In 450 BC, the Plebeians had the laws written down,

and displayed in the Roman Forum. Significance:– The laws do not look like the beliefs of Hammurabi,

and everyone is treated fairly under the law. – The laws resemble the U.S. Constitution or the Bill of

Rights.

Rome Becomes an Empire

The First Triumvirate (rule of three men)– Julius Caesar, takes control in 44 BC “Dictator

for Life”– Gnaeus Pompey (Caesar defeats)– Licinius Crassus (dies)

Bad news for Caesar…– Many Senators believed Caesar wanted to

become king, and plotted to kill him.

Roman Empire Cont…Second Triumvirate – Octavian “Augustus” (Caesar’s heir and

adopted son)– Marc Antony (defeated by Octavian)– Lepidus (“retired”)

Octavian Augustus becomes Rome’s first emperor. Other lines of emperors included the:– Julio-Claudians and the Flavians– The Good Emperors