11/26-
- The Roman Republic- the government
- Dictators were chosen by the Consuls and elected by the Senate in times of crisis
- they had absolute power for six months to make laws and control the army
- then had to step down
- Example of Roman Dictator
- Cincinnatus-- Cincinnati, Ohio is named after him
- during a severe military emergency, the Roman Senate called Cincinnatus from his farm to serve as dictator and to lead the Roman army
- Cincinnatus stepped down from the dictatorship and returned to his farm only 15 days after he successfully defeated Rome's enemies
- the leaders resumed control over Rome at that time
- The Twelve Tables- the law
- in 451 BCE, some officials started writing down Rome's laws onto tablets
- these became the Twelve Tables and the basis for Roman law
- these Twelve Tables were held in the Forum- their government building
- the laws were designed to guarantee equal treatment under the law
11/27-
- The Roman Republic- the military
- the military was a very important part of making Rome into a major power
- all citizens who owned land were required to serve in the military
- Plebeians served in the military as well
- Legions were made up of large groups(5,500) of infantry
- there were about 30 legions in the Roman Army
- Legions were broken down into 10 smaller groups called cohorts(480 men) which, in turn, were broken down into 6 centuries(80 men each)
- a centurion led the century- each legion had 59 centurions
- each legion had a cavalry unit for support
- Weapons of War
- Gladius
- Romans used the gladius for hand to hand combat
- The Pilum (Spear)
- Used for throwing or in had to hand combat
- Roman Armor and Shield
- used for protection and defense
- shields could be used offensively in hand to hand combat
- Gladius
- Praetorian Guard
- the elite of the Roman army
- their duty was to protect high ranking officials and eventually became the personal bodyguards of the Roman emperor
- the Guard eventually got involved in overthrowing emperors and naming their replacements
- Constantine the Great desbanded the Guard in 312 AD after defeating them in a battle
11/28- Punic Wars
- Roman Treatment of People Taken Over
- areas right next to Rome, such as the Latins, became full Roman citizens
- in other areas of Italy further away, groups became citizens, but could not vote
- in areas outside of Italy, groups became allies
- groups were able to govern themselves but were expected to supply troops when needed and not make treaties with other groups
- this lenient policy allowed the Roman Empire to last a long time
- Rome vs. Carthage- 3 Punic Wars
- the First Punic War was fought for control of Sicily and the western Mediterranean
- lasted 23 years-- 264-241 BCE
- Rome won
- the second Punic War was started by Carthage to get revenge from the previous loss
- lasted 16 years-- 218-202 BCE
Rome won
- lasted 16 years-- 218-202 BCE
- the First Punic War was fought for control of Sicily and the western Mediterranean
11/29- watched videos on the second Punic War
11/30-
- Events Between the 2nd and 3rd Punic Wars 201 BCE-150 BCE
- the treat that ended the 2nd Punic Wars caused Carthage to lose all land outside of where Carthage was
- the treaty also said that Carthage could have no army
- shortly thereafter, Carthage was attacked by the Numidian king, Masinissa, who was an ally of Carthage in the 2nd Punic War
- since Carthage could not have an army, they asked Rome to help
- Rome dragged its feet, reluctant to give aid to Carthage
- Rome sent Cato the Elder, an ambassador and veteran of the 2nd Punic War, to Carthage to discuss the situation
- Cato the Elder went back to Rome and told of how well off economically Carthage was and that Carthage should be destroyed
- Cato hated Carthage and was very biased
- eventually, Carthage defended themselves and in doing so, broke the peace treaty
- this led to the 3rd Punic War
- Third Punic War 149-146 BCE
- 53 years after the 2nd Punic War
- Rome went on the offensive and laid siege to Carthage
- the Romans burned the city, 200,000 Cathaginian people died and 50,000 were sold into slavery
- Carthage was no more and became the Roman colony called Africa
- with Carthage out of the picture, Rome would continue it's conquests in he upcoming decades and be the dominant power in the area
- The Roman Republic Falls Apart
- The growing gap between rich and poor--- income inequality
- as Rome took over areas, it took in slaves as well
- by 100 BC, slaves made up 33% of Rome's population
- small farmers couldn't compete with the rich landowners and had to sell land leaving them homeless-many became soldiers
- the "victorious soldier problem"
- the soldiers would come back home after fighting and the would have no job and their land might have been sold to the rich
- two triunes, Tiberius and Gaius, were murdered, after pushing for giving land to the poor
- Cause
- Rapid expansion of the Roman Empire
- Greedy, dishonest leaders
- The poor felt no loyalty to the Roman Government who was keeping them poor
- Professional soldiers who were poor citizens and only made money if they won a battle
- Power hungry generals(like Caesar) fight one another for control of the government
- Caesar crosses the Rubicon River and brings his army with him to Rome
- Caesar defeats Pompey and declares Pompey and declares himself dictator
- Effect
- Difficult to govern with a republican form of government
- The poor felt no loyalty to the Roman government who were keeping them poor
- Conflicts between rich and poor people grow
- Soldiers only loyal to the generals who paid them
- Caesar's rivals fear he is becoming too powerful and declare him a public enemy
- Civil War breaks out for three years
- This ends the Republican system of government in Rome
- The growing gap between rich and poor--- income inequality
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