Nov 7- Test and election discussion
Nov 8-
First Romans
Latins
Built the original settlement at Rome on Palatine Hill
This is where Romulus and Remus
Greeks
Established colonies in southern Italy and Sicily
Brought Greek ideas to Italy
The Etruscans
Came from northern Italy
skilled metal workers and engineers
Had writing system with an alphabet that the Romans adopted
Greatly influenced Roman architecture (arch)
Outside of Greece, one of the most advanced civilizations in Europe during this time
Not much is known about them since there are no Etruscan history documents or literature.
The Early Republic
The Etruscans were the group that helped Rome grow into a large city
Under the Etruscans, Rome was ruled by a king
King Tarquin that Proud was a tyrant and was overthrown by Brutus, the founder of the Roman Republic
The Roman Republic
Set up after King Tarquin was overthrown in 509 BC
Republic- A form of government in which power rests with the citizens who have a right to vote for their leaders
Citizens were free-born males only
SPQR- The Senate and People of Rome
Patricians and Plebeians
Patricians- wealthy landowners who had most of the power
Believed that their ancestry gave them power to make laws
Plebeians- farmers, artisans and merchants that made up most of the population
Were Roman citizens with the right to vote
Could not hold most government jobs
Eventually, Rome’s leaders allowed plebeians to form their own assembly and elect representatives called tribunes
Worked to protect the rights of plebeians
Government
Dictators- chosen by the Consuls and elected by the Senate in times of crisis
They had absolute power for 6 months to make laws and control the army
Allowed this to get things done faster in times of crisis
The 12 Tablets
Some officials started writing down Rome’s laws onto tablets
These became the Twelve Tables and the basis for Roman law
The tables were held in their Forum (government building)
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
Legions- made up of large groups of infantry
Legions were broken down into smaller groups called century
A centurion led the century
Each legion had a cavalry unit for support
Treatment of People taken over
Areas right next to Rome- became full citizens
In other areas of Italy further away- became citizens but couldn’t 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
- The lenient policy allowed the Roman Empire to last a long time
Nov 9- Election Discussion
Nov 10- Election Discussion
Rome vs Carthage- Punic Wars
First Punic war was fought for the control of Sicily and the Mediterranean
Lasted 23 years
Rome won
Second Punic War was started by Carthage to get revenge from the previous loss
Lasted 16 years
- Rome won
Nov 11-
Hannibal (Carthaginian general) led a massive surprise attack on Rome
Led a force of 50 thousand infantry, 9 thousand cavalry, and 60 elephants up through Spain, France and into Italy crossing the Alps in the process
Lost nearly half of his men and most of his elephants before reaching the Romans
For almost 10 years, Hannibal marches his men up and down Italy
Had a lot of victories, but ultimately lost when the Romans attacked Carthage, forcing Hannibal to return home
Punic still means treacherous
Troops that didn’t get paid seiged the city
Hired new mercenaries to fight them
Third Punic War
Rome went on the offensive and laid siege to Carthage
The Romans burned the city and 50 thousand people were sold into slavery
With Carthage out of the picture, Rome would continue its conquests in its upcoming decades
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