Rome: Geography -Was built on 7 rolling hills around the Tiber river, near the cent of the Italian peninsula. -Its midway point between the Alps and Italy's southern tip.
First Romans - From 1000-500 BC three groups inhabited the region and fought for control of it. -Latins-Greeks-Estruscans- -Latins built the original settlement at Rome, it was a cluster of wooden huts on top of hills.
Greek Influence: -Between 750 BC and 600 BC, Greeks established colonies along the southern part of Italy and Sicily.
-The cities became very prosperous and commercially active. -They brought all of Italy, including Rome, into closer contact with Greek civilization. Etruscans:
-They were native to northern Italy.
-They were skilled metal workers and engineers.
-They were influential in the development of Roman civilization.
-Romans adopted their alphabet. (Also, adopted some of their architecture, especially the arch.) Roman
Republic: is a form of government in which the power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders. -In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was granted only to free-born adult male landowners. Patricians and Plebeians:
-Patricians: The wealthy landowners who held most of the power. -Inherited their power and social status. Claimed that they had the right to rule due to their ancestry. -They barred the Plebeians from holding high offices in the government.
-Plebeians: The common person, but could still vote. Usually farmers and merchants.
-Tribunes: In time, the leaders of Rome, allowed the Plebeians to form their own assembly and elect their own representative to protect their rights from the Patrician officials.
*Legal Code - 12 tables, set out in public for everyone to see. The supreme law for the Romans just like the US constitution for America.
*Legislative Branch - They both have senates - Rome had 300 members, US only has 100 - 2 per state. Tribal Asemblies- Consisted of ordinary people, served for life, made the laws. Centuirate Assemblies- based of soldiers and they actually picked the consuls and they also served for life. Senate- They served for life and advised the consuls.
Romulus and Remus - Twin brothers who were abadoned by their parents. She-wolf took them in and took care of them. Romulus and Remus was said to have founded Ancient Rome. - Romulus killed Remus because they were fighting on what to name it.
*Executive- Two consuls vs 1 president. - 1 year term vs 4 year term.
*Judicial - 8 judges, 1 year by the Centuriate Assembly. - Two oversee civil and criminal courts (the other govern provinces)
Army
- Along with their government, the Romans also took great pride in their military as well.
-All men who owned land were required to serve in the army.
-Some of the hight public office positions required 10 years military service.
Legions-
-The roman soldiers were organized into large military units call legions.
-Legions were made up of 5,000 foot soldiers.
-A group of cavalry would support each legion.
-The military organization and fighting skill of the Roman army were key factors in Rome's rise into greatness.
Expansion-
-By fourth century BC, the Romans dominated central Italy.
-They had defeated the Etruscans to the north and the Greek city-states to the south.
Treatment
-Latins on the Tiber River became full citizens.
-In territory father from Rome, the conquered people were citizen as well but didn't have voting power.
-The remaining people became "allies" of Rome.
Punic Wars and Hannibal:
- Romans vs Carthage
-Hannibal was the Key Player- Carthaginian General.
-Rome Republic won the war -- Three wars between the Romans vs Carthage.
-The Plebeians who gained power before the Punic Wars slowly lost their power. The richer got more powerful while the poorer slowly lost all power they had. (Helped the Patricians gain their power and keep it)
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