Roman constitution

Rome: Republic to Empire

1000 BCE Italy was overwhelmed by war-like invaders, made iron tools and spoke a language known as Italic.

Civilized Etruscans arrived in Tuscany (Etruria) about 800BCE.

Romulus and Remos suckled by the wolf.

Rome was governed by kings whose power was somewhat limited by the Senate and an assembly of the people.

509 BCE a revolution replaced the monarchy with a republic.

Patricians and plebeians were the main classes

Roman constitution- great roman achievement; An unwritten collection of law based on precedent and tradition.

Struggle of the orders 509- 287 BCE.

Era when plebeians agitated for legal equality with patricians. They achieved this equality with no bloodshed.

Roman imperialism- experts say it probably wasn’t planned. Romans would become involved in a dispute and found it difficult to stay neutral. Much like US interventions.

The Reforms of the Gracchi-

Redistribution of land, subsidized grain and roman citizenship for Italians. Tiberius and brother Gaius were murdered because their methods for instituting these ideas aroused the hatred of the aristocracy.

Social War (90-88 BCE) granted Roman citizenship to Italians anyway.

The Reforms of the Marius- He changed the composition of the army by taking volunteers, like farmers and proletarians. In exchange they received food, clothes, money and a piece of land. This began soldier loyalty to generals instead of the Senate and the republic.

The Reforms of the Sulla- These were enacted in late 80’s BCE. Reestablished the Senate as the ruling institution and protected the republic from ambitious, troublesome rulers. Reversed in 70’s BCE

The Assassination of Julius Caesar- Caesar first ruled Rome in a triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus. Eventually, he usurped power through death and war. (Crossing the Rubicon River) Caesar was murdered by Brutus, Cassius and 60 other senator son March 15, 44 BCE. (Ides of March)

This unleashed a civil war between Octavian and Marc Antony/ Cleopatra. Octavian wins and becomes Augustus Caesar. Cleopatra kills herself rather than be paraded through the streets of Rome as a captive.

Roman aqueducts most recognizable by arches and size.Pont du Garde

Romans preferred stream and well water to river water.

Needed more H20 for baths, fountains,and gardens

Every city block had water for public use

Wealthy had indoor plumbing consented to by the emperor

Population grew to an unheard of million.

Streams from Apennines had to be carried across the Campagna on stilts to be useful to the “City on 7 Hills”

Aqueducts were built in a simple pattern, arches stacked if height needed to stop 2-3 feet of grade loss per mile.

Most of Rome’s H20 system was tunnels and lead pipes causing lead poisoning.

Appius Claudius built 1st aqueduct in 310 BC called Appi Aqueduct. 90K long, lined with cement

Praetor Marcius built 1st raised aqueduct in 144 BC.