HOW DID ROMES GOVERNMENT DEVELOP?
There were 2 major classes in early Rome; Patricians and the Plebeians. The patricians were the wealthiest, but the plebeians made up most of Rome. Men in both classes were considered Roman citizens and the plebeians had the right to vote and the responsibility to pay taxes and serve in the army. Unfortunately. plebs could not hold public office and they had less social status. To make matters worse marriage between the 2 classes were forbidden.
HOW DID ROMES GOVERNMENT WORK?
Rome had a 3- part government. There were two consuls, both patricians, and they enforced the law. Another important official were called Praetors. Their job was to act as judges and to interpret the law. The most important lawmaking body was the Senate. They were a group of about 300 men and all of them served for life. Over a period of time the Senate's power grew and they were able to hold debates and propose laws.
WHAT WAS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLEBEIANS AND PATRICIANS?
Plebeians started complaining about not having as much power as the patricians . The plebeians decided to take action in order to make a change so many plebeians went on strike and refused to serve in the army. They also left the city to make their own republic, after this the patricians finally decided to give them some power too. The plebeians set up their own body of representatives called the Council of the Plebs, or assembly. The assembly's job was to bring plebeian's concerns to attention. Soon the plebeian's gained equal rights and they were happy even though patrician's still held most of the power and women didn't have a voice in government. The Roman Republic had finally made it's way to being a representative instead of being a democracy.
WHO WAS CINCINNATUS?
A Roman dictator had the most important and powerful job, but they only served for the people and rules on a temporary basis during emergencies. The most well known dictator is Cincinnatus. A powerful enemy had surrounded the Roman army and they called in for him. He gathered the army and defeated the enemy in a short period of time. He did not want power so he returned to his farm after a mere 15 to 16 days. Cincinnatus was widely admired for his civic duty in his own time and in later ages.
WHAT WAS ROME'S LAW LIKE?
The legal system of the United States is much like that of the Roman system. Rome's first code of laws was the 12 tables that were carved onto bronze tablets. They then created a collection of laws called the Law of Nations that applied to everyone. They had to make these because at first the 12 tables only applied to Roman citizens and as they took over more land they had to come up with a way to solve legal disputes between citizens and non-citizens. The idea that the law applies to everyone and that all people should be treated equally among the legal system is called the Rule of Law. It is one of the key ideas the Romans gave to the world and it is still the basis of our legal system today.
WHAT WAS CARTHAGE?
Carthage made itself the largest and richest city in the western Mediterranean by ruling a great trading empire that included parts of northern Africa and southern Europe. Rome faced a great deal of problems from Carthage.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PUNIC WAR?
Both Carthage and Rome wanted to control the island of Sicily, so the first punic war began. It started when Rome sent an army to Sicily to prevent Carthaginian takeover. Rome soon realized that if they wanted to defeat the Carthaginian's and takeover Sicily thay were going to have to confront the enemy at sea. 20 years later and defeated Carthage and they were forced to leave Sicily and pay a fine to Rome. The island then came under the Roman rule.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE SECOND PUNIC WAR?
Carthage decided to expand its empire into the southern Spain. Rome was not happy about this and they helped the people of Spain fight against Carthage. Carthage was angry and sent their greatest general, Hannibal, to attack Rome. This is what started the second punic war. In 202 BCE Roman force lead by a general named Scipio invaded Carthage. At the time Hannibal was waging a war in Italy and had no choice but to return home to defend his people. Carthage then gave up Spain to Rome and it also had to give up their navy and pay another large fine. Rome now ruled the western Mediterranean.
WHAT WERE SOME OTHER CONQUESTS OF THE ROMANS?
Rome finally destroyed its rival in the third punic war. Roman soldiers burned Carthage and enslaved 50,000 men, women, and children. All the while spreading salt on the land so no crops could grow. Rome successfully took over Macedonia and the rest of Greece. In 129 BCE Rome gained its first province in Asia. It was no wonder the Romans began to call the Mediterranean mar nostrum-" Our Sea."