History of the Roman Republic

After a civil war, powerful and popular Julius Caesar was named "Dictator for Life" by the Senate.

His life would be cut short by assassins who wished to save the republic.

Punic is the Greek name for the people of Carthage.

Rome Becomes an Empire

After Caesar's Murder, Rome

was plunged into a series of civil wars that lasted more than 10 years.

Mark Antony, a popular general and friend of Caesar fought Caesar's grandnephew Octavian for control of the republic.

Antony fell in love with Cleopatra, Pharaoh of Egypt, and became her boyfriend and ally.

Sadly, the combined forces of Antony and Cleopatra were crushed by Octavian in the battle of Actium.

Octavian chased Antony and

Cleopatra to Egypt.

To avoid capture, both commited suicide.

Octavian was given the title "Augustus"

and became sole ruler of Rome - Rome's

first emperor.

The Senate

Julius Caesar

Dictator/Consul

The Roman Republic

When the Romans were in a time of crisis, they had the power to elect a dictator. This person had absolute power and commanded the army. A dictator's power only lasted for six months. Dictators were chosen by consuls and then confirmed by the senate.

Dictator

The Senate was the aristocratic branch of the Roman government. It had both legislative and administrive powers. The Roman Senate had to have 300 members, all were chosen by upper-class people. Much later, plebeians were allowed in the Senate.

The Senate

Senate

Geography of Rome

Rome is located in Italy, which is a peninsula

that sticks out into the Mediterranean sea.

Around 600 B.C., an Etruscan became the king of Rome. Under the Etruscan kings Rome developed from a series of small villages into a city.

The last Etruscan king of Rome was Tarquin the Proud. His power was taken by Roman aristocrats. After disposing of the monarchy, they created a new form of government which they called a Republic.

Patricians and

Plebeians

Consul

The new Roman republic had two officials which were called consuls. They directed and commanded both the government and army.

A man could only be a consul for a year, and he could not be elected again until ten years had passed. Also, one consul could nullify the other consul's decisions.

Roman society was divided into two social classes.

Rich landowners called Patricians controlled the government.

Lower class Romans (Plebeians) made up 95% of Rome's population. They had little say in government.

Julius Caesar

Important People of Punic Wars

• Hannibal - young Carthaginian general that nearly captured Rome. He is famous for bringing his army, including elephants, across the Alps into Italy. Defeated in the Second Punic war.

• Scipio - Roman general who conquered the empire of Carthage.

Hannibal

Scipio

An Empire is Built - The Punic Wars

The Romans fought a series of three wars against the city of

Carthage, which was located in North Africa.

Hannibal

The First Emperor