Republic of Rome
Julius Ceasar 100-44 BCE The Assassination of Julius Caesar, March 15, 44 BCE
-great military general, writer, and orator, or public speaker. -served as a consul -captured vast new lands for Rome (also made him a threat to political leaders and legislative branch people) -was assassinated by his political rivals
Expansion of Rome:
300 BCE Roman Republic expanded its territory -it defeated Carthage in the Punic Wars (264 BCE) to take control of the Mediterranean.
Roman Civilization
509 BCE Rome became a republic. 450 BCE Twelve Tablets were posted. (legal code) 334 BCE Alexander the Great began his conquest of Persia 264 BCE The Punic Wars began. 44 BCE Julius Caesar was assassinated. 27 - 180 CE The Pax Romana 284 CE Emperor Diocletian divided the empire. 27-476 CE The Roman Empire
Which factors helped Rome change from a republic to an empire?
Augustus was proclaimed emperor following a civil war. Julius Caesar created a dictatorship.
Who encourages Caesar to go to the Senate on the day of his death?
Brutus
Effects of Roman expansion:
Cause: Rome expands Effects; economic problems increase (gap between rich and poor) OR generals become more influential ------> soldiers are loyal to their leaders OR Armies are used for personal gain. OVERALL CONFLICT
The End of the Republic
Ceasar marched on Rome -He was supported by his army and the plebeians -This action led to civil war ---> Names dictator for life
Cause: Rome is located in the middle of the Mediterranean region Military leaders become more influential Plebeins demand a written code of law Rome expands
Effect: Rome becomes a center for trade Soldiers are more loyal to their generals than they are to Rome The Twelve Tables are created Economic problems increase
Rome's Three-Branch Government
Executive Branch -Two consuls patricians, military leaders until 367 BCE, those consuls were only made up of patricians, members of that wealthier class OR military leaders Legislative Branch -Senate: Patricians -Assemblies: Plebeians They serve for life (soldiers) Judicial Branch -Eight praetors judges that serve for one year Legal Code -Twelve Tables
Executive Branch: Roman Republic -Two consuls Legislative Branch: Roman Republic -Senate: Patricians -Assemblies: Plebeians Judicial branch: Roman Republic -Eight praetors Legal code: Roman Republic Twelve Tables
Executive Branch: US govern. -President Legislative Branch: US govern. -Senate -House Judicial branch: US govern. -Nine justices Legal code: Roman Republic US. Constitution
Rome was strongly influenced by the culture of the
Greeks.
Why did the conspirators kill Caesar?
He had declared himself dictator for life.
The Assassination of Julius Caesar, March 15, 44 BCE
In January 49 BC, Julius Caesar led his army across the Rubicon River in Northern Italy and plunged the Roman Republic into civil war. After defeating his rivals, he declared himself dictator for life. This act, along with his increasing maneuvers to expand his power, turned many in the senate against him. Sixty members of the senate determined that their only recourse lay in Caesar's assassination. Nicolaus of Damascus wrote this account of the murder of Caesar a few years after the event. Although he did not directly witness the event, he did have the opportunity to interview many of the people who were present. The conspirators never met openly, but they assembled a few at a time in each other's homes. There were many discussions and proposals, as might be expected, while they investigated how and where to execute their design. Some suggested that they should make the attempt as he was going along the Sacred Way, which was one of his favourite walks. Another idea was for it to be done at the elections during which he had to cross a bridge to appoint the magistrates in the Campus Martius; they should draw lots for some to push him from the bridge and for others to run up and kill him. A third plan was to wait for a coming gladiatorial show. The advantage of that would be that, because of the show, no suspicion would be aroused if arms were seen prepared for the attempt. But the majority opinion favoured killing him while he sat in the Senate, where he would be by himself since non-Senators would not be admitted, and where the many conspirators could hide their daggers beneath their togas. This plan won the day. Chance, too, played a part, for it made him settle on a definite day for the Senate to meet to discuss his intended measures. . . . [Caesar's] friends were alarmed at certain rumours and tried to stop him going to the Senate-house, as did his doctors, for he was suffering from one of his occasional dizzy spells. His wife, Calpurnia, especially, who was frightened by some visions in her dreams, clung to him and said that she would not let him go out that day. But Brutus, one of the conspirators who was then thought of as a firm friend, came up and said, "What is this, Caesar? Are you a man to pay attention to a woman's dreams and the idle gossip of stupid men, and to insult the Senate by not going out, although it has honoured you and has been specially summoned by you? But listen to me, cast aside the forebodings of all these people, and come. The Senate has been in session waiting for you since early this morning." This swayed Caesar and he left. While this was happening, the conspirators were making their preparations and arranging their seats, some next to him, some facing him and some behind. Before he entered the chamber, the priests brought up the victims for him to make what was to be his last sacrifice. The omens were clearly unfavourable. After this unsuccessful sacrifice, the priests made repeated other ones, to see if anything more propitious might appear than what had already been revealed to them. In the end they said that they could not clearly see the divine intent, for there was some transparent, malignant spirit hidden in the victims. Caesar was annoyed and abandoned divination till sunset, though the priests continued all the more with their efforts. Those of the murderers present were delighted at all this, though Caesar's friends asked him to put off the meeting of the Senate for that day because of what the priests had said, and he agreed to do this. But some attendants came up, calling him and saying that the Senate was full. He glanced at his friends, but Brutus approached him again and said, "Come, good sir, pay no attention to the babblings of these men, and do not postpone what Caesar and his mighty power has seen fit to arrange. Make your own courage your favorable omen." He convinced Caesar with these words, took him by the right hand, and led him to the Senate which was quite near. Caesar followed in silence. The Senate rose in respect for his position when they saw him entering. Those who were to have part in the plot stood near him. Right next to him went Tillius Cimber, whose brother had been exiled by Caesar. Under pretext of a humble request on behalf of this brother, Cimber approached and grasped the mantle of his toga, seeming to want to make a more positive move with his hands upon Caesar. Caesar wanted to get up and use his hands, but was prevented by Cimber and became exceedingly annoyed. That was the moment for the men to set to work. All quickly unsheathed their daggers and rushed at him. First Servilius Casca struck him with the point of the blade on the left shoulder a little above the collar-bone. He had been aiming for that, but in the excitement he missed. Caesar rose to defend himself, and in the uproar Casca shouted out in Greek to his brother. The latter heard him and drove his sword into the ribs. After a moment, Cassius made a slash at his face, and Decimus Brutus pierced him in the side. While Cassius Longinus was trying to give him another blow, he missed and struck Marcus Brutus on the hand. Minucius also hit out at Caesar and hit Rubrius in the thigh. They were just like men doing battle against him. Under the mass of wounds, he fell at the foot of Pompey's statue. Everyone wanted to seem to have had some part in the murder, and there was not one of them who failed to strike his body as it lay there, until, wounded thirty-five times, he breathed his last.
: Twelve Tables written code of laws
Roman created a written code of laws called the Twelve Tables -They were engraved on bronze tablets and posted in public areas. -These laws allowed citizens to understand their rights and duties. 23. A person who had been found guilty of false witness shall be hurled down from the Tarpeian Rock (perjury or lie in court) -Table VIII, The Twelve Tables Our Bill of Rights was heavily influenced.
Roman social classes: patricians -Roman citizens -Class of wealthy nobles -Elected members to the senate -included the wealthiest citizens -came from noble families -controlled the senate
Roman social classes: plebeians -Roman citizens -Merchants farmers, artisans, and laborers -Elected chosen representatives, called tribunes -Demanded the twelve tables -had little wealth -elected tribunes to represent them -Included merchants and laborers -protested and demanded reform.
The Roman Republic 509 BCE
Rome became a Republic in 509 BCE Republic: is a government that's run by representatives of a country's citizens. influence of Greek ideas
Geographical Advantages
Rome was protected by its geography, because it was: -located on a peninsula (water on three sides) -surrounded by hills and mountains -located on the Tiber River -Rome had lots of trade -had lots of drinkable water -there was lots of farmland Close to Alps (Switzerland) which is north of Apennines and Rome
Center of Trade
Rome's geography was important for trade and the spread of ideas -Its location on the Tiber River also provided access to the sea -The area had good farmland and abundant natural resources -Proximity to Greece made Rome heavily influenced by Greek culture -Trade by boat made Roman Trade easier
Why did the senators decide to assassinate Julius Caesar?
They were worried he had grown too powerful.
Rome's geographic advantages included its location on the
Tiber River
Tarpeian Rock
a cliff that you are thrown off of
The story of the city's origins was based on
a foundation myth
republic
a government run by representatives of that country's citizens
foundation myth
a society's story about its origins
Why did Rome change from a republic to an empire?
geographic influences Roman Republic The Roman Empire
Empire
group of regions or countries that are all inclusive in one territory.
Roman Empire 117 CE
made up of Africa, Europe, and Middle East. center point is this city of Rome, in Italy. Greece is located very close to the Roman Empire.
The two social classes of ancient Rome were made up of patricians and
plebeians.
SPQR
stands for Senate and the Roman people.
aqueduct
structure used for carrying water over long distances
Pax Romana Golden Age
the time of greatest achievement under the Roman Empire
Ancient Romans believed their city had been founded by
the twins Romulus and Remusthe
Why did Romans create a written code of law?
to allow citizens to see and understand the law