Roman Republic Geography and Founding

Tiber River = Provided fresh water and trade routes Alps Mountains = North boundary of Italy Apennines = Mountain range running along Italy Fertile plains = Supported a growing population

Military tactics = Greek phalanxes Writing system = Etruscan alphabet Architecture = Use of arches from Etruscans Literature and Art = Greek foundations

Legendary founding = Fight between Remus and Romulus Actual founding = Around 1000 BC by Latin settlers Overthrow of Etruscan king = 509 BC Establishment along Tiber = By 700 BC

<p>Gravitas = Seriousness in behavior Discipline = Emphasis on self-control Strength over beauty = Preference for power Loyalty = Commitment to the state</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Development of alphabet = Writing system adopted by Romans Construction skills = Improvement in art and pottery Architectural innovations = Introduction of the arch Road construction = Enhanced trade and military movement</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Creation of the Assembly = Election of tribunes who could veto actions of Consuls and Senate Twelve Tables = Written code of laws displayed in the Forum Enslavement for debt abolished = Plebeians could marry patricians and hold government positions Equal rights granted = Plebeians could make all laws and join the Roman Senate</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gauls sacking Rome (390 BC) = Convinced Romans to build up their military Wars against Greeks (282-275 BC) = Greeks won battles but lost the war due to casualties Punic Wars = Fought between Rome and Carthage for control of the Mediterranean Formation of the Roman Empire = Occurred after internal stability and military growth</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>First Punic War = Rome gains control over Sicily Second Punic War = Hannibal's invasion and battles in Italy Third Punic War = Destruction of Carthage Punic Wars overall = Rome dominates the Mediterranean trade</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Patricians = Upper class who feared civil war Plebeians = Common people seeking political power General Pyrrhus = Greek leader who helped in battles against Rome Carthage = Former Phoenician colony that became a dominant power</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>451 BC = Twelve Tables created 339 BC = Plebeians could serve in high government positions 287 BC = Equal rights granted to plebeians 500 BC = Creation of the Assembly</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>First Punic War = Carthage feared Rome would take over Sicily Second Punic War = Hannibal's invasion via the Alps Third Punic War = Rome decided to crush Carthage once and for all</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Battle of Cannae = Hannibal's greatest victory Battle of Zama = Hannibal's defeat by Scipio First Punic War = Carthage paid an indemnity to Rome Second Punic War = Carthage lost Spain to Rome</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hannibal = Led the Carthaginian army through the Alps Scipio = Regrouped Roman forces against Hannibal Cato = Advocated for the destruction of Carthage Scipio the Younger = Led Rome in the Third Punic War</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>First Punic War = Carthage ceded Sicily to Rome Second Punic War = Hannibal returned to fight a major battle Third Punic War = Rome destroyed Carthage completely</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Control over Greece = Achieved in 197 BC Control over Asia Minor = Gained in 133 BC Carthage reduced to North Africa = After the Second Punic War Romans became dominant power = In the Mediterranean region</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Problems competing against large farmers = A Many small farmers gave up, sold out, and moved to cities = C Hannibal caused great destruction = B Importing of foreign crops = A</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Increased population in cities = Growing unemployment Overcrowded cities = Poor housing and dirty conditions Growing gap between the rich and poor = Much wealth going to the rich Punic Wars wealth = Owning slaves instead of hiring workers</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Take minds off the poor = Feasts and games Coliseum = Gladiator contests Circus Maximus = Entertainment for the masses Emerging proletariat = Urban, landless poor</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Limit the size of large estates = Distribute land to the poor Take lands away = Return it to the needy Create reforms = Help the plebeians Veto power as tribune = Protect the interests of the poor</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tiberius Gracchus = Elected tribune in 133 BC Gaius Gracchus = Supported reforms for the poor Both brothers = Aspiring to aid the plebeians Plebian interests = Advocated by tribunes</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Roman Republic was formed in 509 BC after the Romans overthrew the Etruscan king. It was a system of government without a king.

The Romans were influenced by Greek military tactics, language, art, and architecture. They even adopted the Greek gods and gave them Roman names.

The Etruscans were a group from Asia Minor who dominated northern Italy and influenced the Romans. They were skilled in construction, art, and pottery and even developed a writing system that the Romans adopted.

The Tiber River was a vital resource for the city of Rome. It provided fresh water and allowed for trade by ships.

Rome was located on a peninsula with fertile soil. It was in a perfect location for trade and expansion, allowing it to become the center of the Mediterranean world.

A period in Roman history where laws were changed to grant plebeians (commoners) more political power and rights, creating a more stable society.

An assembly established in 500 BC for the common people to pass laws and elect Tribunes, officials who could veto actions of the Consuls and Senate.

A written code of laws created in 451 BC, carved on 12 tablets and displayed publicly in the Forum, ensuring fairness and protecting the rights of commoners.

A series of wars between Rome and Carthage, a powerful Phoenician city-state, for control over the Mediterranean Sea and its economic wealth.

The period in Roman history marked by a shift from internal conflict to external expansion, conquering territories and establishing a vast empire across the Mediterranean.

The First Punic War (264-241 BC) was sparked by a clash of interests in Sicily between Rome and Carthage. Rome, seeking to expand its influence, feared Carthage's control of the island would disrupt its sea trade, while Carthage aimed to prevent Rome from dominating the region.

The First Punic War ended with a decisive Roman victory. Carthage was forced to surrender Sicily to Rome, pay a significant indemnity (a sum of money paid to compensate for losses), and accept Roman dominance in the western Mediterranean.

Hannibal, a brilliant Carthaginian general, led a daring invasion of Italy during the Second Punic War (219-202 BC). He crossed the Alps with a massive army, including elephants, aiming to strike at the heart of Rome. Despite initial successes, including the devastating Battle of Cannae, Hannibal's campaign ultimately failed.

The Second Punic War concluded with a Roman victory, ending the threat of Carthaginian expansion. Carthage lost Spain and was severely weakened, reducing it to its North African territories.

The Third Punic War (149-146 BC) was a final and decisive conflict between Rome and Carthage. Roman ambition and a desire for complete dominance led them to destroy Carthage, ending its existence as a major power.

Small farmers struggled to compete with large landowners and imports from other countries.

The gap between the rich and poor widened during the Punic Wars. Wealthy Romans lived in luxury while the poor suffered.

The urban poor, known as the proletariat, lived in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. They lacked land and jobs.

The Roman government used public entertainment like feasts, circuses, and gladiatorial contests to distract the poor from their problems.

Tiberius Gracchus was a Roman tribune who proposed reforms to improve the conditions of the poor. His proposals aimed to redistribute land and limit the size of large estates.