MONDAY-
tribunes - elected to help plebeians
The Roman Republic - The Government
consuls - monarchital (highest up)
senate - aristorcratic (300)
assembly - democratic
-They didn't want one person in charge so they had two
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
-They had to step down
Why? more efficient
Example of Roman Dictator
Cincinnatus - Ohio named after him
-severe military emergency, the Roman Senate called Cincinnatus from his farm to serve as dictator and to lead the Roman army
-stepped down 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
-In 451 BCE, some officials started writing down Rome's laws onto tablets
-laws were designed to guarantee equal treatment under the law
TUESDAY-
The Roman Republic - Military
-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 similar groups called cohorts (480 men) which in turn, were broken down into 6 centuries
-A centurion led the century-each legion had 59 centurions
-Each legion had a cavalry unit for support
The Legatus and the Aquilifer
-Romans used the gladius for hand to hand combat
The Pilum (Spear)
-used for throwing or in hand to hand combat
Roman Armor and Shield
-used for protection and defense
-shields could be used offensively in hand to hand combat
Praetorian Guard
-guarded/bodyguard to emperor
-elite of the Roman Army
-protect high ranking officials
-guard got involved in overthrowing emperors and naming their replacements
-constantine the great disbandded the guard in 312 AD after defeating them
Roman Treatment of People Taken Over
-areas right next to Rome, such as Latins, became full Roman citizens
-in other areas of Italy further awa, 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
-the lenient policy allowed the Roman Empire to last a long time
WEDNESDAY-
Rome Republic Spreads It's Power
Rome vs Carthage Punic War (264-146 BC)
Punic??
-Punic comes from the latin word poenicus, meaning an inhabitant of carthage
-Carthage was founded by phoenicians and poenicus is the latin word for Phoecians
3 Punic Wars
The First Punic War was fought for control of Sicily and the western Mediterranean
-Lasted 23 years
-Hannabal was very good
-Rome won
Carthage - sea/navy
Rome - land/navy
-GOT SICILY
The 2nd Punic War was started by Carthage to get revenge from the previous loss
-Rome won
-Fabian & Scipio -Rome helped win
THURSDAY-
watch videos about the punic wars
FRIDAY-
Events between the 2nd & 3rd Punic Wars 201-150 BCE
-The treaty that ended the 2nd Punic War caused Carthage to lose all land outside of where Carthage was
-The treaty also said that Cathage could have no army
-Shortly thereafter, Cathage was attacked by the Numidian king, Masinissa, who was an ally of Carthage in the 2nd Punic War
-Since Carthage could nto 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 the Carthage and was very biased
-Eventually, Carthage defended themselves and in doing so, broke the peace treaty
-This led to the 3rd Punic War
3rd Punic War 149-146 BC
-53 years after the 2nd Punic War
-Rome went on the offensive and laid siege to Carthage
-The Romans burned the city, 200,000 Carthaginian 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 the upcoming decades and be the dominant power in the area
The Roman Empire
The Roman Republic Falls Apart
Why did it fall apart?
-The growing gap between rich and poor - income inequality
-As Rome took over area, it took in slaves as well
-By 100 BC, slaves made up 33% fo 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" - by winning and not fighting, they would come back to Rome and find themselves out of work and farm
-2 tribunes, Tiberius and Gaius, were murdered, after pushing for giving land to the poor
Cause
1- rapid expansion of the Roman Empire
2- freedy dishonest leaders
3- The poor felt no loyalty to the Roman government who was keeping them poor
4- Professional soldiers who were poor citizens and only made money if they won a battle
5- Power hungry generals (Caesar) fight one another for control of government
Effect
1- difficult to govern with a republican form of government
2- the poor felt no loyalty to the Roman government who were keeping them poor
3- conflicts between rich and poor people grow
4- soldiers only loyal to the generals who paid them
5- Caesar's rivals fear he is becoming too powerful and declare him a public enemy
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