The Early Republic
ROMULUS AND REMUS
Romulus and Remus were said to be the twin brothers who founded Rome. There are many versions of the common myth that was told in order to explain how the brothers came upon the land that is now Italy. THE LEGEND OF ROMULUS AND REMUS Rhea was a princess who married Mars, the god of war. She bore twin boys, Romulus and Remus, and the other gods and godesses wanted to harm this powerful family. In an attempt to protect her sons, Rhea sent them in a basket down the Tiber River. They were found by a she-wolf who nursed them until a shepherd found the boys. He and his wife raised the brothers until they grew older. Romulus and Remus dreamed of someday ruling a large empire, however they were destined to become shepherds like their adoptive father. This was not their fate, however, and Romulus and Remus built a great city on the shores of the river. They often quarreled over who was to become king. After a fight with Remus, Romulus killed his brother with a rock. Romulus appointed himself king and named the new land Rome. |
THE ETRUSCANS
The Etruscans, also known as the Villanovans, were natives to Northern Italy who strongly influenced the Roman civilization. The Etruscans had a well organized government which included a king. This group was well-advanced with an irrigation system and large stone temples with statues. They had a system of trade with the Greeks and Phoenicians. The Romans adopted the Etruscan alphabet and certain religious rituals. It was believed that these rituals would help them gain the favor of the gods. In 600 BC, an Etruscan became the king of Rome. Not only did the Etruscans construct some of Rome's first temples and buildings, but it was under Etruscan rule that Rome expanded its various villages into one city that spanned over 500 square miles. |
TARQUIN THE PROUD (c. 534 - 509 BC)
Tarquin the Proud was the last Etruscan king. He was a harsh tyrant who was driven from power in 509 BC by well-defined, upper-class Romans. The Romans explained and justified the downfall of Tarquin the Proud through the story of the rape of Lucretia, which was later the subject of a poem by William Shakespeare. In this story, Lucretia is a modest, reserved woman, however, she is lusted after by Tarquin's son, Sexus. He has such a burning desire for Lucretia that he rapes her. Lucretia tells her husband to avenge her, and she eventually commits suicide. This sparked a revolution that was led by Junius Brutus and Collatinus, Lucretia's husband. This revolution resulted in Tarquin's exile. |
The Establishment of the Roman Republic
What is a republic? A republic is a type of government in which citizens can vote to elect their leaders. In Rome, only free-born male citizens had the right to vote.
The Roman Republic was constructed in order to resolve a conflict between the two major social classes in ancient Rome: The Patricians, who were comprised originally of the roman aristocrats and later came to include prosperous merchants and traders, and the Plebeians-- the majority--who had citizenship but lacked wealth. In theory, Rome was a Democracy in which every citizen had the right to vote. In reality, the Republic was heavily influenced by an oligarchy in which different factions feuded for power and used their wealth to influence the outcomes of elections.
The Roman Republic was constructed in order to resolve a conflict between the two major social classes in ancient Rome: The Patricians, who were comprised originally of the roman aristocrats and later came to include prosperous merchants and traders, and the Plebeians-- the majority--who had citizenship but lacked wealth. In theory, Rome was a Democracy in which every citizen had the right to vote. In reality, the Republic was heavily influenced by an oligarchy in which different factions feuded for power and used their wealth to influence the outcomes of elections.
THE PATRICIANS AND THE PLEBEIANS
The patricians were upper-class, wealthy Romans who could hold political, religious or military office. The patricians made up a small part of the Roman population, however, they held much of the power and control. The patricians were seperated into three tribes: the Ramnes, or the Romans of Romulus, the Tities, or the Sabines of Titus Tatius, and the Luceres, or the Etruscans of Caeles. Every tribe had ten curiae, subdivisions within the tribe, with ten gentes, the Roman word for a family or lineage, making up every curia. The 30 curiae made up the Comitia Curiat, the superior assembly of patricians. The Comita Curita elected the king, created the laws, and determined every aspect of a citizen's life.
The plebeians (plebs) were the middle to lower class citizens who made up the majority of Rome's population. The plebeians were merchants, peasants, artisans, and farmers who couldn't hold military, religious or political power. In 491 BC, the plebians refused to fight while the Romans were at war unless they were allowed to elect their own leaders. These leaders were known as the Tribunes.
Similarities:
- power to vote
- social standing was decided at birth
- were citizens protected under Roman law
- women had few rights
- served in the army
- paid taxes
The patricians were upper-class, wealthy Romans who could hold political, religious or military office. The patricians made up a small part of the Roman population, however, they held much of the power and control. The patricians were seperated into three tribes: the Ramnes, or the Romans of Romulus, the Tities, or the Sabines of Titus Tatius, and the Luceres, or the Etruscans of Caeles. Every tribe had ten curiae, subdivisions within the tribe, with ten gentes, the Roman word for a family or lineage, making up every curia. The 30 curiae made up the Comitia Curiat, the superior assembly of patricians. The Comita Curita elected the king, created the laws, and determined every aspect of a citizen's life.
The plebeians (plebs) were the middle to lower class citizens who made up the majority of Rome's population. The plebeians were merchants, peasants, artisans, and farmers who couldn't hold military, religious or political power. In 491 BC, the plebians refused to fight while the Romans were at war unless they were allowed to elect their own leaders. These leaders were known as the Tribunes.
Similarities:
- power to vote
- social standing was decided at birth
- were citizens protected under Roman law
- women had few rights
- served in the army
- paid taxes
THE TRIBUNES
The Tribunes were elected representatives that protected the plebeians from mistreatment. The Tribunes attended meetings of the consuls or Senate in an attempt to bring justice to the plebeians. They could veto any laws that they felt were unfair or unresonable. If an adequate amount of Tribunes objected to the law, it was not pursued. |
THE ASSEMBLY
The Assembly was made up of the plebeians, or the commoners, of Rome. Although it had little power, once a year the Assembly could vote for the two senators that would serve as Consuls. The Assembly usually met in a public area where they could vote on certain laws, which would then be passed on to the Senate for another vote. The Senate could either pass or overrule their vote. The Assembly also had the power to declare whether Rome was at war or at peace. |
THE CONSULS
The Consuls were composed of two Senators that were elected by the Assembly. They served for a one year term. The Consuls were the highest position in the Roman Republic. They also controlled the army. The Consuls elected the Senators, ran the government, and were judges. The Consuls could elect a dictator in an emergency. |
THE SENATE
The Senate was composed of 600 members who could serve for life, who controlled all finances, foreign affairs and state administration. To qualify you had to have been elected in prior years to the job of Quaestor whose job was financial administration either in Rome or in the provinces. Since the Senate was so powerful Rome had an office called the Censors who were elected directly by the people. These individuals had the job of appointing qualified Senators and also could investigate Senators for corruption. If they were to find a corrupt Senator they had the power to expel that individual. |
THE TWELVE TABLES
The Twelve Tables were created in 451 BC, after the plebeians advocated for their creation. Although the plebeians were represented in Roman government, the patricians held the power to create and change laws to their satisfaction, often leaving the plebeians with little rights. The Twelve Tables, written on twelve tablets, were hung in the Forum and were the first form of Roman law. They ensured that all free citizens, regardless of social class, had the right to protection under the law. |
the fall of the roman republic
GAIUS AND TIBERIUS GRACCHUS
Gaius and Tiberius Gracchus were Roman Tribunes who tried to help the poor in the second century BC. The brothers tried to limit the size of each landowner's property and believed that the state should take some of a landowner's property and distribute it to the poor. However, their ideas led to the decline of the Roman Republic. Tiberius Gracchus was murdered during a riot in 133 BC. Gaius Gracchus committed sucicide by demanding his slave to stab him to death. As a result of their death, a civil war broke out in Rome, ending the prosperity of the Roman Republic. |
*Fun Fact!*
The word "veto" means "I forbid" in Latin. Latin was also the language of Rome even after its decline.
The word "veto" means "I forbid" in Latin. Latin was also the language of Rome even after its decline.
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