The Roman Republic book notes

The Origins of Rome:

• rome was built on 7 rolling hills on the Tiber River near center of Italian peninsula
• earliest settlers arrived in 1000-500 B.C.
• 3 groups inhabited the region:
• latins (the first romans)
• greeks (750-600 B.C. established colonies in southern Italy and Sicily)
• Etruscans (native to northern italy)
• Etruscans- skilled metal workers and engineers; system of writing; arch in architechure

Early Republic:

• Forum = the heart of roman political life 
• last king of rome was Tarquin the Proud. He was a harsh tyrant, lost power in 509 B.C
• res publica = public affairs
• Republic= government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders
• patricians = wealthy landowners who held most of the power
• plebains = the common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up the majority of the population 
• patricians claimed ancestry gave them authority
• roman leaders allowed Plebians to form their own assembly and elect representatives called tribunes
•  tribunes protect rights of citizens and unfair actions towards them  
• 451 B.C., ten officials began writing down laws
• laws carved on stone tables/tablets
• these 12 Tables established the idea that all free citizens had a right to the protection of the law
• had 2 consuls: commanded army and directed the government (term 1 year)
• one consul could overrule the other
• senate: aristocratic branch of government
• made up of 300 upper class citizens
• A Tribal Assembly, organized by plebians, elected tribunes and made laws for the people
• dictator: a leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army. (6 months)
• chosen by consuls, elected by the senate 
• all citizens were required to serve in the army
• legions: large military units
• made of 5,000 infantry soldiers + a group of cavalry 
• divided into smaller groups called a century  

 Rome spreads its Power:

• defeated Etruscans and Grek city- states
• by 265 B.C. Rome controlled all of Italy
• in territories outside of Rome, they were citizens but couldnt vote
•  neighboring territories were full citizens
• this lenient policy helped rome succeed in building a long lasting empire
• rome location- easy access to riches of lands in mediterranean sea
• Carthage was is north africa on the coast 
•  264 B.C.  Rome and carthage went to WAR
• Punic Wars
• war #1: control over sicily and western mediterranean
• lasted 23 years (264-241 B.C.)
• Rome won 
• war #2: 
• 218 B.C. 
• Carthage led by Hannibal 
• Hannibal= brilliant military strategist who wanted to avenge carthage's defeat
• 50,000 infantry
• 9,000 cavalry
• 60 elephants
• led army through Spain, France, and the Alps
• Hannibal won at Cannae in 216 B.C., never captured Rome
• Scipio made a plan to attack Carthage, forced Hannibal to return his army home
• 202 B.C. Rome deafeated Hannibal
• war #3: carthage Control
• 149-146 B.C. 
• in 146 Carthage was set on fire and its people sold into slavery