Senate Building

The Republic becomes more Democratic

5th-3rd Centuries BC plebeians gain considerable political power codification of the Twelve Tables Plebeians threaten to walk out of the city patricians and plebeians willingly

compromised for the good of the Republic

Rome gains control of Italy

In a series of wars Rome conquered the Italian peninsula

Pyhrric War Conquered Italy because of powerful armies,

ability to move troops, and wise treatment of conquered peoples.

Pyhrrus

Carthage

Rome Conquers the Mediterranean

Carthage Rome’s chief rival: modern day Tunisia Originally a Phoenician (Punic) colony Carthaginians attacked Roman trading vessels Roman merchants demanded protection

First Punic War (264-246 BC)

Fought on Sicily Rome annexed Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia Rome used citizen soldiers, Carthage used

mercenaries Which type of soldier tends to be more loyal?

Hannibal VS. Scipio

Second Punic War (218-201 BC)

Second Punic War (218-201 BC)

Carthaginian General Hannibal leads an army from Spain across the Alps and into Italy: Stopped north of Rome

Roman fleet headed for Carthage; Hannibal called back to defend the homeland

Battle of Zama-Roman General Scipio defeated Hannibal near Carthage

Rome annexed Carthage’s Spanish provinces

Cato, The Elder

Third Punic War (149-146)

Cato, A Roman senator, ended all of his speeches with “Carthage must be destroyed”

In 146 BC Roman forces burned and destroyed Carthage and annexed the territory.

By 30 BC Rome managed to conquer the entire Mediterranean region including Macedonia, Greece, and Egypt

Rome After the Punic Wars

Patricians(Aristocrats)

Plebeians• Farmers• Merchants• Artisans

Freedmen

Slaves• City Slaves• Household Slaves

(Early Republic)

ROMAN GOVERNMENT (The Republic)

SenateAssembly of Centuries

Assembly ofTribes

• 300 members• Most powerful branch• Controlled public funds• Made Political Appointments

• Declared War & Peace• Elected Magistrates

• Made up by Plebeians• Elected 10 Tribunes

who had veto power over Senate & magistrates

Legislative Branch

2Consuls

2Censors

Dictator

• Elected to 1 year terms• Commanded Military• Presided over Senate• Ran Daily Government• Could Veto each other

• Conducted Census• Assessed Taxes• Supervised Morals

• Elected only during crisis

• Absolute Power• Served 6 month

terms

Executive Branch (Magistrates)

Judicial BranchPraetor Praetor PraetorPraetorPraetor Praetor Praetor Praetor

Praetors created Roman law through court decisions

ROMAN GOVERNMENT (The Republic)

Senate

Assembly of Centuries

Assembly ofTribes

• 300 members• Most powerful branch• Controlled public funds• Made Political

Appointments

• Declared War & Peace• Elected Magistrates

• Made up by Plebeians

• Elected 10 Tribunes who had veto power over Senate and Magistrates

Legislative Branch

ROMAN GOVERNMENT (The Republic)

2Consuls

2Censors

Dictator

• Elected to 1 year terms• Commanded Military• Presided over Senate• Ran Daily Government• Could Veto each other

• Conducted Census• Assessed Taxes• Supervised Morals

• Elected only during crisis

• Absolute Power• Served 6 month

terms

Executive Branch (Magistrates)

Judicial Branch

Praetor

Praetors created Roman law through court decisions

Praetor PraetorPraetor Praetor Praetor Praetor PraetorPraetor

Roman Expansion(133 BC - 27 BC)

Conquered territories became known as Provinces

Provinces were ruled by governors known as Proconsuls who were appointed by the Senate and had great power

Tax collectors known as Publicans collected heavy taxes from provinces. They collected more than required and kept the excess. This corrupt practice was known as Tax Farming

Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion

Collapse of the Small Farmer Small farmers were the backbone of

Roman military After wars of expansion they

returned to desolated farms Unable to afford repairs, they were

forced to sell to large landowners

Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion

Disparities of Wealth Nobles grew wealthier by expanding

their estates They lived lives of luxury and ease The poor became poorer Hard work, discipline, and patriotism,

began to disappear

Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion

Growth of Slavery Many conquered enemies became

slaves Nobles began using them on their

estates rather than paying workers Unemployment grew among citizens

because of slavery Slaves outnumbered citizens

Roman ExpansionProblems of Expansion

Migration to the Cities Small farmers who sold land were

forced to move to cities in search of work

Cities suffered severe unemployment and overcrowding. Slums developed.

Roman government had to set up a welfare program to support the poor

Bread programs and circuses were set up to keep the poor masses happy

Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion

Corruption in the Provinces Roman officials appointed to govern

the provinces were corrupted by the lure of quick wealth

Bribery and Tax Farming became common

Discontentment grew in the provinces

Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion

Changes in Roman Military With the disappearance of the small

farmer, the nature of the army began to change

Individual commanders began building their own armies and paid mercenaries

Soldiers were promised a share of the booty and land in return for service

Soldiers were loyal to commanders rather than Rome

Roman Expansion Problems of ExpansionAttempts at Reform

Two brothers, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus were elected as Tribunes and attempted reforms to help the poor

Tiberius was assassinated by several senators in 133 BC

Gaius continued to work on reforms and attempted to limit power of the Senate. He was killed in a riot

Rome fell into disarray. Civil War followed.

Marius vs. Sulla

Roman Expansion Problems of Expansion

Civil War - Marius vs. Sulla In 105 BC, a commander named Marius

saved Rome from barbarian invasions. He was elected consul five straight years and continued to build a large army

In 88 BC, a rival named Sulla went to war against Marius in and around Rome

Thousands of Romans died In 82 BC, Sulla defeated Marius and became

a dictator. He retired in 79 BC Slave revolts led by Spartacus broke out

from 73-71 BC. Military leaders struggled for power.