Romans Flashcards
Romulus and Remus
mythical founders of Rome
raised by a wolf
How is Rome founded?
Romulus kills Remus and builds Rome
Founded in 753 BC
People called “Latins”
Etruscans
- Ruled Latins 616 BC
Etruscan influences
- first sewers and walls
- building techniques
- alphabet and number system
- Governing system
- Gladiator, chariot races
- Artistic influences
Roman Republic 509 BC (established because Romans hated Etruscan kings)
- Elected officials as governors
- No written constitution
- Division of power
Patricians
Wealthy aristocrats ruling class (Senators, judges) Can Veto Descendants of founding fathers Education important
Plebians
common people
can hold public office (counsels, tribunes)
can own farms and shops
can marry Patricians
right to vote
Plebian women had more freedom than Patrician women
Roman Forum
place for political talk
connection to land and farming (was noble way to make money)
Roman Expansion
Italy to Sicily then other surrounding areas
Punic War I
Carthage stronger at first
Roman built up army and won Punic War I
Punic War 2
Hannibal invades Rome with war elephants
Scipio beat back Hannibal
Rome as dominant force went back to Carthage and
Completely destroyed it.
Enslaved all people.
Banned people from living there.
Greek Annexation
Rome added Greece to empire after defeated Persia with the Greeks
Adopted many aspects of their culture (Gods, archictecture)
Problems in Rome
Very large area so difficult to control
Main problem was social class
Freedman
freed from slavery
little rights
if have documents, cannot be slaves again
can own farms and shops
Slaves
Work for wealthy
can be sold
can buy their freedom
Gaius Marius attempts as reform that failed
Opened military up to anybody
Eliminated property restrictions
Result: people with no money or property joined army
First Triumvirate
Caesar, Crassus and Pompey; Crassus died and Caesar and Pompey had civil war
Caesar
- popular with Plebians
- Senators declared him enemy of state
- Caesar invaded Rome