The Romans

Rome’s Geography

• Peninsula that is about 750 miles long north and south

• Plains ideal for farming

• Rome located 18 miles inland on the Tiber River

• Italy juts out into the Mediterranean making it a natural stopping point for Mediterranean travelers.

INFLUENCES

• From 1500 to 1000 B.C. Indo Europeans moved into Italy. (Latins and Etruscans)

• Greeks had settled in Southern Italy.

• Greeks provided Rome with Alphabet, artistic ideas for sculpture, architecture, and literature.

• Etruscans turned Rome into a city and gave Romans dress and militaristic style.

THE ROAD TO A REPUBLIC• Early Rome ruled by Kings, some

being Etruscan.

• 509 B.C. Rome overthrew the Etruscan King and established a Republic

• For centuries Rome would be at war with those around them

• By 264 B.C. Romans had defeated the surrounding states of Latium, the Greeks, and the Etruscans.

• Romans successful because of their diplomatic ways.

• Shrewd in allowing citizenship yet allowed states to run their own affairs.

THE ROMAN STATEPatricians/Plebeians

• Distrusted kingship because of Etruscan Kings.

• Rome divided into two groups (patricians/plebeians)

• Patricians- wealthy landowners.

• Plebeians –common workers and small landowners

• Both were citizens and could vote, but only Patricians could hold office

REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT

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R O M A N R E P U B L IC

REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT

• Conflict between Plebeians and Patricians over social equality by the law.

• 471 B.C. Council of the Plebs created for Plebian representation in office.

• Later down the road Plebs would even get power to pass laws.

Systems of Law

• One of Rome’s greatest contributions was its system of laws.

• First code of laws was Twelve Tables, adopted in 450 B.C.

• Simple basic laws for small agricultural communities.

Systems of Laws

• Twelve Tables• Adopted in 450 B.C.

• First Code of Laws used by the Romans

• Very simplistic meant for small agricultural society

• Set the standard for written law protecting citizens

• Law of Nations• Often referred to as natural or

universal law.

• Based on reason.

• Enabled them establish a standard of Justice that applied to all people.

Roman Law Influences

• The Rule of Law and Justice

Applied to all people

under Roman lawFive Basic Principles

Created Stability and

unity under the Roman

Empire.

People equal

under the law

Accused can

defend oneself

against charges

Guilt must

clearly be

established

Innocent until

proven guilty

Decision must

be based on

fairness