Roman Republic vs. US govt.
Executive Branch
- Two consuls vs. one President
- 1 year term vs. 4 year term
Compare:
Command the army
Have the same branches of government with the same name
They are elected to serve in office
Both have senates
US Government:
1 Leader
Serve for 4 years
Executive has cabinets in the US government
Roman Republic:
2 Leaders lead
In a crisis they can choose a dictator
Serve for 1 year
Council – revised by Senate
Story of Romulus and Story of Remus
- Twin brothers
- Founded ancient Rome
- She-wolf found and raised them (myth)
- Found in a basket –abandoned
- Romulus killed Remus because they were fighting what they were going to call Rome
Legislative Branch
- Both had checks and balances
- Both had senates (100 – US)
- Legislative made laws and controlled budget
- Women not allowed to participate while US woman can
- Senate: High social and economic status, serve for life, advises consuls, talk to assembly
- Centuriate Assembly: Soldiers only, chose consuls, serve for life
- Tribal Assembly: Ordinary citizens, serve for life, make laws
Legal Code
- Roman Empire had 12 Tables
- Put out for all to see
- Supreme Law of Roman Empire – list of rules
- Equal to the US’s Constitution
Judicial Branch
- 8 judges – Roman
- Roman – served for a year
- 1 year by the Centuriate Assembly
- Two oversee civil and criminal courts (the others 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 high public office positions required 10 years of military service.
Legions
- The roman soldiers were organized into large military units called 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 to greatness.
- Broken into centuries (comprised of 80 people)
Expansion
- By fourth century B.C., the Romans dominated central Italy.
- They had defeated the Etruscans to the north and the Greek city-states to the south.
Treatment
- Latin’s on the Tiber became full citizens.
- In territory farther from Rome, the conquered people were citizens as well but didn’t have voting power.
- The remaining people became “allies” of Rome.
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Punic Wars and Hannibal
- There were three Punic Wars:
1:264-146 BC
2: 218-201 BC
3: 149-146 BC
Who fought in the war:
- Between Rome and Carthage
Key Players:
Hannibal
- Hannibal defeated the Roman legion
- Battle of the Trebia, the Battle of Lake Trasimene and Battle of Cannae
Mark Antony
Octavius
Who won the war:
- Rome
What happened because of the war:
- The main cause was the fight of interests between the Carthaginian Empire and the Roman Republic.
- Rome conquered Carthage's empire while destroying the city.
- Became the most powerful state of the Western Mediterranean.
- Gave Rome a preeminent status.
- Carthages were sold into slavery
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