Chapter 7 Lesson 2

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Chapter 7 Lesson 2 The Roman Republic
Legend has it that Rome was founded by twin
brothers ROMULUS and REMUS, the wolf-boys!
Between 600 and 509 B.C., Rome was ruled by 7
different kings. In 509 B.C. the people
established a REPUBLIC
A republic is a government where the people have
the right to choose their leaders. But only male
citizens with money and property could vote (not
a democracy!!!
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Patricians and Plebians
The Senate (the lawmaking body in Rome), was made
up of about 200 rich families called Patricians.
Only patricians could become Senators.
All other people (farmers, artisans and merchants
were plebians. The plebians demanded more rights
and after threatening to leave Rome, were given
representatives called Tribunes, and later laws
called The Twelve Tables.
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Rome begins to EXPAND!
The Romans ruled all of the Italian Peninsula by
264 B.C.
But they were not the only center of power in the
Mediterranean. The other powers were Alexandria
in Egypt And Carthage (on the north coast of
Africa)
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War With Carthage
In 264 B.C. Rome and Carthage fought for control
of Sicily. These wars were known as the Punic
Wars.
Rome won the first battles.
Carthage vowed revenge.
In 218 B.C. Hannibal, with an army of 60,000 men
and 60 elephants traveled from Spain across Gaul
and over the Alps to surprise the Romans.
The long, hard journey cost Hannibal half of his
men and most of his elephants. Rome defeated
Carthage and began from then on to build its
empire.
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The Roman Empire
Rome expanded its territories to stretch across 3
continents.
Each territory was divided into separate states,
and each state given a governor who would collect
taxes and send them back to Rome.
One of Romes most powerful generals was Julius
Caesar. He was so popular because of his
victories in battle, that the Senate made him a
dictator.
A dictator is a ruler who has absolute power and
authority.
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The Ides of March
Caesar took power away from the Senate. They
became angry, and believed that Caesar wanted to
make himself king.
On March 15,(the Ides of March, 44 B.C. members
of the Senate killed Caesar.
After the murder of Caesar, Rome broke out into
civil war that lasted 17 years.
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Octavian Augustus/Pax Romana
In 27 B.C. Caesars great nephew, Octavian won
the civil war, and was named Octavian Augustus,
or the honored one and ruled as emperor for 41
years.
Rome then had a period of peace for the next 200
years. This is referred to as the Pax Romana, or
Roman Peace.
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The Birth of Christianity
In less than 400 years, Christianity developed
from a small sect in Palestine into the official
religion of Rome.
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Romans and Polytheism vs. the belief in one God.
The Romans were not tolerant of the monotheistic
Christians and would persecute them by sending
them to the lions in the Colosseum.
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Constantine and the Spread of Christianity
General Constantine was said to have had a dream
about being visited by Jesus and building a cross
that would lead him to victory.
Because of his Christian beliefs, he decided to
put a stop to the killing of Christians and allow
for religious freedom for all people.
This lead to the spread of Christianity
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Mighty Rome Falls
Because of the high cost of maintaining the Roman
army, corruption in government, and Germanic
barbarian invaders, Rome falls from power finally
in 476 a.d.
Rome leaves behind an incredible legacy!!