The Early Republic (509-265 BC)

Question 1

state and society

Answer 1

around 500 (509) BC the era of the kings came to an end. most likely this happened because Romans wished to break away from the Etruscan influence and aristocrats rebelled against the increasingly powerful kingship. Romans started to look at their tribal relatives Latins and Rome became an important member of the Latin League of city states which all shared 'Latin rights'.
magistrates, quaestors, the Senate and popular assembly dealt with politics.

Question 2

political and administrative system after the king

Answer 2

king’s executive power went to two annually elected magistrates (after 367 BC called consuls). their power was restricted as they had a right to veto each other and their term was limited to ones year.
they were assisted by quaestors (two treasurers) and turned to the Senate for advice.
most of the time Senate’s advice was followed and thus they had a powerful say in political affairs. the decisions of the popular assembly acquired the force of law only after the Senate had approved them.
patricians dominated the political scene. Comitia Centuriata elected magistrates exclusively from the patriciate and new senators were almost always former magistrates.

Question 3

religious system

Answer 3

rex sacrorum and the Pontifex Maximus gained the king’s religious authority. patricians provided the pontifices and other members of priesthood. no true, separate priest castes; they were patricians who held priesthood and a secular office.

Question 4

state of an emergency

Answer 4

the autocratic authority of the former kings was temporarily restored and a dictator was appointed by the ruling magistrates for six months and he had absolute power.

Question 5

Roman expansion in Italy

Answer 5

up to 3rd century BC the Roman history is dominated by two lengthy processes: 1. struggle of the orders (patricians vs. plebeians), 2. expansion in the Italian peninsula.
between 509-338 BC: endless struggles between Rome, Latins, Etruscans. coalitions were also constantly changing. in the early 4th century, Rome managed to annex the souther part of Etruria and with this gained decisive ascendancy. for the following 50 years Rome was on the defensive from Latins, Celts. in 338 BC, Rome subjected the Latin cities and concluded treaties with cities in Campania. Rome came to dominate the Latin League’s member states. from 326-290 a multiplicity of minor local and regional conflicts merged into a number of protracted coalition wars. from this Rome came out as the main leader and winner (excluding the Greeks which were subjected between 282-270). the city states were made subordinate allies who were required to supply troops and political aid.

Question 6

colonization

Answer 6

colonies were founded in most areas they conquered. the territory was partially confisctaed, made into Roman public land and settled Roman and Latin peasants and propertyless took residence. these were called Latin colonies and they were located at strategic points around Italy. they enjoyed local autonomy but were subjected to Rome. the public land became a source of competition early in the Roman history.
colonization was useful as it provided a network of strategically located fortifications, a means of solving internal conflict by helping poor start a better life, an extra income, a growth in Rome’s military resources.