Complete the activity titled:

“What’s the Reason?”

Rome began as a small city state in Italy but then ended up ruling the entire Mediterranean world

Romans established traditions of government that continue to influence the modern world

Established a republic “Thing of the People” around 509BC where people were allowed to elect their own leaders

Thought it would prevent an individual from gaining too much power

The people of Rome were actively involved in their government. They took pride and responsibility in participation in the government .

Legislative Branch

SenateTribal Assembly

SEPARATION OF POWERS

Executive BranchElected Officials

Judicial Branch

JurisprudenceProfessional Jurors

Roman government differed from Athens in that it was not direct but based on representation, with voters electing their officials. (US govt today is a republic)

Another characteristic was the high regard for Roman law.

In 451 the Twelve Tables were brought into existence. These tables assured all citizens had a right to protection of the law.

Complete the Twelve Tables Activity in Your

Notebook

Rome’s armies were so powerful that they controlled all the Italian peninsula and then began to build around the Mediterranean Sea

These conquests brought many riches to Rome

These expansions led to frustration in Roman society because their army was made of loyal Roman citizens who fought without pay and supplied their own weapons yet they gained little from Rome’s success.

Soon Rome was involved in a series of civil wars about who should hold power

A military commander who forced his way into Rome and became a dictator

Fearful of his political ambition the Senate ordered him to stop his conquests however he refused

ReformsLaunched a program of public works to

employ the jobless and gave public land to the poor

His enemies were jealous of his power and worried that he might try to become King and stabbed him to death

His grand nephew Augustus Caeser became the new leader

Laid the foundation for a stable government

Created an efficient, well trained civil service to enforce the laws

Opened high level jobs to men of talent regardless of their class

Time period known as Pax Romana because of the peace, order, unity and prosperity

Greatest legacy was the establishment of justice through the law

Law of NationsRome’s expansion created a problem

and they created a system of laws that would apply to all people and cultures based on the laws of nature

Basic principles were established such as:Innocent until proven guiltyGuilt was established through

evidenceJudges interpreted laws and were

expected to make fair decisionsPeople should be punished for

actions, not thoughts

Justinian ruled after Augustus Caesar

He is best remembered for his reform of the Roman law code

He revised and organized all the laws of ancient Rome

It had an impact far beyond Rome and reached Western Europe where the church and monarchs based their laws on its principles

ThenDeveloped a system of laws that apply to every citizenWritten LawsGovernment based on laws

NowGovernment where citizens elect leadersEveryone is equal under the lawConstitution and bill of rightsRule of law