Bellwork 8-17-15

• Grab your comp book, have a seat, and study your religions chart and world map.– (Quiz coming soon!)

The Roman Republic

• The Roman Empire began as a successful republic in 509 BCE.

– Republic: A form of government in which citizens elect their leaders

The Roman Republic

• Rome successfully used a written code of laws, beginning in 450 BCE.

– Written laws allowed ordinary citizens to check the power of their leaders.

The Roman Republic

• Rome conquered all the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

– The Roman Army was the best in the world during its time.

The Roman Republic

• Soon Rome had conquered massive areas of land.– These conquests made Rome very wealthy.

• Smaller governments were spread out over these conquered lands.

The Roman Republic

• Around 100 BCE, the republic had become filled with corrupt leaders.

– Corruption: dishonest behavior by powerful people

The Roman Republic

• Corruption in Rome led to several years of conflict.

• In the 70s BCE, it seemed Rome was headed for complete collapse.

End of the Republic

• Rome was saved in 60 BCE when a powerful leader, Julius Caesar, was chosen.

• Julius Caesar became Rome’s first dictator.

– Dictator: Ruler who rules with absolute power

Questions

1. Why is it important that Rome was a republic and used a written code of laws?

Questions

2. In the beginning, how was massive conquest of lands beneficial for the Roman Republic?

3. How did many Roman proconsuls (governors) govern their conquered territories?

Questions

4. Why did Rome almost collapse in the 70s BCE?

5. Who emerged as Rome’s first dictator in 60 BCE?