Roman Republic

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How did Rome’s geographic features help the civilization grow?
  a     Tibet River The growing agricultural system was aided by the presence of the nearby Tibet river. With supporting Rome’s farmers, the                          Tiber River also provided several other benefits to ancient Rome.  b     Mediterranean Sea  the Tibet river empties into the  Mediterranean.  This distance provided Rome with additional protection, because                       invaders had to move inland from the coast to reach the city. However, Rome was still close enough to the sea that Romans were able to use             the river as an easy access point to the Mediterranean. c       Mountain  It protected Rome from outside attacks.The seven hills of Rome played an important role in protecting Roman city.The Alps                        Europe’s highest mountains, separated the Italian peninsula from the rest of the continent and The Alpine Mountains run north to south                  along the length of the Italian peninsula. The Alpine Mountains made it difficult for people to cross from one side of the peninsula to the                  other. d          Climate  The climate of central Italy, where the city of Rome was located, also helped the people of Rome. The region had mild, rainy                         winters and hot, dry summers. This climate made it possible for the region to develop a strong agricultural base.While the climate made                     year-long farming possible, Rome was also strengthened by close access to water. While the climate made year-long farming possible, Rome             was also strengthened by close access to water.    What impact did the roads and bridges have on Rome’s development?        As Romans fought and conquered new territories on and beyond the Italian peninsula, they built paved roads which connected those territories back to Rome.Roman roads connected the capital of the empire to most of the distant territories that they conquered.The strength of Roman engineering is reflected in the construction of these roads. The roads were built of several different layers, and the top layers were often paved. The Romans also built drainage ditches along the sides of the roads to prevent water from damaging them. Rome’s work is so enduring that some parts of this original road system still exist today in Europe and the Middle East.Romans also built a network of bridges to create a land-based connection between the city and its territories across rivers and other bodies of water. These bridges were built out of stone and as a result were strong and durable. Rome’s major construction projects, such as its roads, were built by soldiers. The roads were a priority for Rome’s military, because it was important for troops to be able to move quickly and easily transport supplies from one part of the empire to another.

Slide 2

Structure of the Republic
1   What is a republic? Why did Rome create a republic       A republic is a form of government in which people elect their leaders. Rome was not a democracy as we know it today, however, because not all       of the people were allowed to participate fully in the new government.The Roman Republic consisted of three parts: the magistrates, the                   Senate, and the assembly. 2    Describe how power was divided between the different branches - Consuls, Senate and Assembly.  How did the separation of powers         make sure one group or person did not become too powerful?        Consuls  was the most powerful political position in Rome The consuls issued laws and led the army. In order to prevent one person from                  becoming too powerful, each consul could veto the decisions of the other.        Senate was made up of 300 men, who at first were only selected from the patrician class. Senators were elected and held their offices for life.            Initially, the Senate’s only job was to advise the consuls, but over time, it gained power, eventually becoming the most important part of the            government and making decisions about laws, foreign policy, and finance.            Assembly  The third part of the government was the assembly, which protected the rights of the plebeians. The plebeians had an assembly, or l         lawmaking body, of their own called the Council of the Plebs.This assembly could elect ten officials, called tribunes, or tribunes of the plebs.             The tribunes had the power to veto the actions of the consuls or the Senate. The veto power meant that this group of tribunes had the ability           to limit what the Senate and the consuls could do, which made them very powerful. 3     How was the Roman Republic similar to the U.S. government? Give two examples.        The Roman Republic and  US government are same in many ways          Consuls: Elected by an assembly; ruled as chief executives for one year; controlled the military.         Senate: Consisted of 300 members; chosen by patrician  and responsible for foreign affairs and financial policies. 4     Explain the  Twelve Tables were and why they were so important.        Twelve Tables were Rome’s first written laws were produced on 12 bronze tablets, or tables. These laws, were came to be known as the Law of        the Twelve tables.They were displayed in the Roman Forum for everyone to see and follow it

Slide 3

Punic Wars
Q1  Who fought in these wars? Why were there three wars?        This war was faught between Rome and Carthage because Rome wanted to gain control of more land and shipping lanes. Rome’s                  attempt to control shipping throughout the Mediterranean led to a series of three wars against Carthage, from 264 BCE to 146 BCE, known as          the Punic wars. Q2  What territory did Rome gain as a result of these wars?         Rome built up a powerful navy and used it to win control of the islands of Sicily Sardinia and Corsica in first punic war.        Rome gained control of what is modern-day Spain and several of the Mediterranean islands in second punic war.         Rome attacked Carthage and, after two years of fighting, defeated the Carthaginians and destroyed the city. All of its former territory in North         Africa became part of the Roman empire.         

Slide 4

Julius Caesar
Q1  Describe his military successes.          He served in the Roman military and was a skillful soldier. He also was a clever politician and a skilled writer and speaker.          His military success are           In 57 BCE, he conquered the northern tribes and began a campaign to conquer all of Gaul and expand Roman territory.           In 49 BCE he led his army across the Rubicon into Italy to fight Pompey and his army.           Caesar pursued Pompey’s army through Greece and Spain where Caesar defeated them.             He then crossed the Adriatic Sea to face Pompey himself at Pharsalus in 48 BCE.     Q2  Why was he such a popular leader among most Roman citizens?       Julius Caesar was such a popular leader because  he did many reforms in the empire and never let anyone sleep hungry. He gave free       rents to his soldiers.  Q3  Why was he ultimately killed by the Senate?        the rise of Caesar made some members of the Roman Senate fear he was gaining too much power. They wanted Rome to remain a republic, and        they thought that Caesar was trying to establish himself as a monarch, or king. If that happened, each leader would pass the crown to his heir           instead of being elected. This would mean the crown would stay in a single family line, creating a dynasty, and the Senate would lose much of         their power. This thought made Senate kill Julius Caesar How did he end up changing the Roman Republic?          His death left the country without a clear leader. As a result, a civil war began between the supporters of Caesar and the armies of Cassius                  and Brutus.

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