CLASSICAL ROME

GEOGRAPHY

How did geography help the Roman civilization develop?• Surrounded by water, transport, travel by sea.• Mountains offer protection.• Rome sat on a river, provided water for crops,

transportation, and some protection.

EARLY GOVERNMENT

• The early government of Rome was a monarchy.

• Etruscan kings ruled the city.

• Final king was Tarquin The Proud.

• Time for a change!

THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

• Republic: Citizens vote for representatives.

• 2 Consuls----Leaders of Rome

• Made Laws

• Could veto each other’s laws

SENATE

• Represented Patricians (wealthy landowners)

•Made sure laws were enforced

• Advised Consuls

TRIBUNE

•Represented Plebeians

•Plebeians were all citizens EXCEPT the wealthy: farmers, merchants, artisans, and the poor

THE FORUM

WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE FORUM?

To discuss issues, important to the Plebeians.Meeting place.Tribune, was where the Plebeians gave their opinions for the government.

TWELVE TABLETS OF ROMAN LAW

IMPORTANCE OF 12 TABLES

• These laws talked about property, crime, family, marriage and inheritance.

• The laws were meant to treat people fairly.

• These laws were written down.

• Each law applied to every Roman citizen: rich or poor.

THE ROMAN REPUBLIC EXPANDS

PUNIC WARS

• Punic Wars: Rome fights Carthage for control of the Mediterranean Sea.

• Carthage General named Hannibal---50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry, and 60 elephants.

• Fought for 10 years. • Rome defeats Hannibal.

CARTHAGE FALLS

• The Roman general named Scipio attacked Carthage.

• Romans set fire to Carthage (salted the ground after burning it).

• Sold the 50,000 citizens of Carthage into slavery.

• Carthage became a Roman province.

PROBLEMS?

• Gap between rich and poor

• Slaves captured in wars took jobs away from other workers.

• Small farmers can’t compete with wealthy landowners who use slave labor.

• Unemployed people headed to Rome.

SOLUTIONS??