The Republic and Roman expansion
The republic (509 - 27 BC)
It was established after the expulsion of the Etruscans.
The three main institutions
The comitia were assemblies where the Roman citizens voted laws and elected magistrates.
Magistrates were elected to hold political authority for one year
The Senate (the most important) directed the magistrates and decided foreign policy.
Army
Consuls (charge of administration)
Patricians and plebeians
The patricians were a minority from a group of rich. They claimed to be descendants of the founders of Rome.
The plebeians were the other free groups, (merchants, craftsmen and peasants)
The slaves were prisoners of war or the children of slaves.
Expansion across the Mediterranean
(acquisition of new territories)
- It fought against Carthage, the dominant power in North Africa, Rome was victorious in the Punic war (364 - 146 BC)
- Greece and Eastern Mediterranean (in the 2nd and 1st centuries). It also expanded into other parts of Europe.
- The Italian Peninsula between 500 and 250 BC
The consequences of expansion
(the Empire had a great impact on the Roman Republic)
- Politics: The senate did not control the governors in the provinces very well, so corruption spread.
- Society: A few people had nearly all the wealth. Inequality caused social discontent and revolts.
- Economy : The conquests created great wealth in produce, slaves and takes.
The end of the Republic
In the 1st century BC, the Republic was full of corruption and internal conflicts. The power of the army grew. But some generals broke out civil wars.
General Julius Caesar won one of these wars, and was proclaimed dictator. But in 44 BC he was assassinated by senators sympathetic to the Republic. His nephew Octavio won a new civil war. The Republic ended when Octavian became Emperor Augustus in 27 BC.