Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the name of the river that the Latins settled near?
What was the name of the river that the Latins settled near?
The Tiber River
According to Anthony Esler, what important achievement marked the beginning of Rome's influence?
According to Anthony Esler, what important achievement marked the beginning of Rome's influence?
The imposition of political unity on one of the most affluent and brilliant centers of world civilization
What did the Etruscans borrow from the Greeks?
What did the Etruscans borrow from the Greeks?
Divinities
What did the Romans borrow from the Etruscans?
What did the Romans borrow from the Etruscans?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a harupex?
What is a harupex?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the name of the Etruscan king who was overthrown by the Romans, marking the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the republic?
What was the name of the Etruscan king who was overthrown by the Romans, marking the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the republic?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the name of the group of people that settled in what is now Tuscany in central Italy early in the history?
What was the name of the group of people that settled in what is now Tuscany in central Italy early in the history?
Signup and view all the answers
What were the two main social classes in Roman society?
What were the two main social classes in Roman society?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the name of the first written code of laws of Rome?
What was the name of the first written code of laws of Rome?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the name of the assembly that was the earliest popular assembly in Rome?
What was the name of the assembly that was the earliest popular assembly in Rome?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the name of the assembly that was based on the classes of military service in Rome?
What was the name of the assembly that was based on the classes of military service in Rome?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the name of the official elected for one year in Rome who had the highest power in the government?
What was the name of the official elected for one year in Rome who had the highest power in the government?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the name of the group that consisted of the original aristocratic families that advised the king?
What was the name of the group that consisted of the original aristocratic families that advised the king?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
The Legacy of Rome: Law and Government
- Rome's history involved establishing hegemony over Italy and the western Mediterranean
- Patricians and plebeians struggled for political power
- Roman power was felt from Spain to Asia Minor, and from Gaul to northern Africa and Egypt
- Rome left a lasting impact on politics and empire-building across these regions
Geographic Setting
- Italy's central location in the Mediterranean facilitated trade and conquest
- Italy's mountains were less rugged than Greece's, aiding early settlement
- The Po River valley's fertile soil supported a large population
- Rome's mostly regular coastline limited early trade, but later possessed a formidable navy
- The Mediterrannean Sea was "mare nostrum" ("our sea") influencing cultural development and conquest
Early Settlers
- Latins were the first settlers, establishing Rome around 750 BCE near the Tiber River
- Rome's initial location consisted of a swamp that was drained into a forum, the centre of public gatherings
- Latins traded with Greeks in the southern tip of the Greek peninsula as early as the 7th century BCE
- Greeks established colonies in Southern Italy and Sicily around 750-600 BCE, influencing Roman life, including deities, art, and architecture.
- Etruscans settled in Tuscany, central Italy; they ruled Rome from 616 to 509 BCE and influenced Roman practices, such as gladiator combats, the arch and vault, the toga, and the fasces.
The Republic (509-29 BCE)
- Rome was initially ruled by kings (Romulus to Tarquinius Superbus)
- The monarchy was overthrown in 509 BCE, establishing the republic
- The rape of Lucretia triggered a revolt leading to republic's formation
- The family was the basic unit, patriarchal; "pater familias" held absolute power
Social Orders
- Patricians (aristocrats) claimed descent from founders, held most political power and land
- Plebeians (commoners) were free citizens, but initially marginalized politically
Client System
- Roman society operated on a patron-client system(similar to feudalism)
- Clients provided services to patrons (support in politics/military/court)
- Patrons provided support/recognition in return
Roman Ideals
- "Gravitas" (seriousness, purpose) embodied Roman virtues like strength, discipline, loyalty, practicality, and tenacity
- Educated patricians were instilled with these values
Roman Army
- Initially, only patricians served; later, plebeians could afford equipment and thus joined
- Military service was based on property classes (e.g., First Class had 100,000 asses) This established their political importance as the Centuriate Assembly
- The Roman Army was crucial to Rome's success in conquering the Italian peninsula
- Became a fully professional army during the Punic Wars
- Loyalty shifted from Republic to generals in the Late Republic
Early Political Institutions
- Consuls: two elected officials who held executive, legislative, and judicial powers for one year
- Senate: evolved from advisory body to main governing body; consisted of 300 members; held positions for life
- Senate and Consuls shared power
- Popular Assembly; included the Curiate Assembly (based on the gens or clans) and Centuriate Assembly (based on military service classifications), the latter gaining more power
- The government constantly evolved as different elements gained and lost influence
Plebeians Struggle for Political Rights (509-265 BCE)
- Plebeians fought for increased political power
- Creation of the position of Tribune (to protect plebeians' interests)
- Twelve Tables: Rome's first written law code, emphasizing equality before the law
Roman Hegemony over Western Mediterranean / Punic Wars
-
Roman conquest of the Italian peninsula, often through warfare
-
Punic Wars (264-146 BCE): Rome challenged the Carthaginian Empire
-
First Punic War: Rome won and claimed Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica
-
Second Punic War: Carthaginian General Hannibal, despite military victories, was ultimately defeated by Scipio Africanus
-
Third Punic War: Rome destroyed Carthage
-
Conquest generated wealth, but led to economic hardship among citizens
-
Rise of the proletariat (urban poor) and latifundia (large estates)
-
Increased slavery
Internal Conflict and Civil Wars (133-31 BCE)
- The Gracchi brothers attempted to redistribute land, but were assassinated
- Slavery contributed to instability & growing power of generals
- Spartacus led a slave revolt
- Gaius Marius: reformed army, accepted poor and landless citizens, creating a professional standing army; loyalty shifted away from Republic to general leading to civil wars that ultimately destroyed Rome's republic
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the profound influence of Rome on law and governance from its establishment to its vast empire. Discover the political struggles between patricians and plebeians, the strategic advantages of Italy, and the impact of Roman culture on subsequent civilizations. This quiz delves into how Rome shaped political structures across regions.
