1. How Long Was Rome Considered a Republic?

Name ______Date ______The Roman Republic adapted from Vickie Chao 1 For centuries, Italy's Rome has been an policies of the Roman Republic. Because the important city, playing a pivotal role both consuls would later become senators after their culturally and politically. According to the one-year term in office, they almost always did legend, a pair of twin brothers built Rome from what the senate wanted them to do. As the two scratch in 753 B.C. As the construction was men met and discussed state affairs, they underway, they quarreled over the height of the attempted to reach unanimous decisions. In the city walls. In a rage, Romulus killed Remus. event of a disagreement, minor affairs would be After that, he named the city after himself and dropped. But serious matters would not. If the became the first ruler of Rome. He reigned 36 disparity dragged on, the Roman law allowed the years. senate to appoint a dictator. This person would act as a king, but his absolute power was only 2 The story of Romulus and Remus is good for six months. fascinating. But its authenticity is very much in doubt. 6 In the early days of the Roman Republic, all the senators were the nobles or the patricians. 3 Historians have long established the fact that This arrangement did not sit well with the Rome had existed since 900 B.C. By about 600 commoners or the plebeians. As the distrust B.C., a group of people called the Etruscans worsened, the plebeians went on strikes. In 494 (pronounced "ih-TRUS-kunz") took power in B.C., they set up their own assembly. They Rome. They ruled it for nearly a century. Though declared that the assembly's tribunes (elected the Etruscans left behind many imprints, we once a year) had the power to reject any decision know very little about them. In fact, we cannot made by Roman officials or even the senate. even say for sure where they came from. Some Their struggle to gain recognition from the scholars believed that the Etruscans were patricians gradually took root. In 450 B.C., the indigenous people of Italy. Others believed that patricians agreed to one of the plebeians' main they were immigrants from Asia Minor (today's demands and, thus, gave rise to the Law of the Turkey). Regardless of their origin, we know for Twelve Tables. The Twelve Tables, hung openly certain that the Etruscans spoke a language in marketplaces for everyone to see, codified the different from that in Rome. We also know for Roman laws and constitution. It was applied certain that their authoritarian style of governing equally to all citizens. Encouraged by the victory, was very unpopular. In around 510 B.C. or 509 the plebeians continued to fight for their rights. In B.C., the Romans revolted. They expelled the last 367 B.C., they overturned the law that barred Etruscan king, Tarquinius Superbus (pronounced them from being consuls. In 287 B.C., they "tahr-KWIN-ee-us soo-PUR-bus", also known as expanded the assembly's legislative power from Tarquin the Proud). making laws for the plebeians only to making 4 With the Etruscans gone, the Romans decided laws for all Roman citizens! that they would never want to go back to the days 7 As the government structure continued to take of monarchy. To avoid giving too much power to shape, the Roman armies went on to conquer new a single person, they came up with the idea of the territories for the Republic. The added land did republic. not bring joy. Instead, it brought forth a big 5 In this new form of government, all citizens problem. Some suggested the land be given to the who had the right to vote could participate in the plebeians. Others refused. The dispute paralyzed selection of their leaders. Once a year, they the entire nation. Soon, civil wars erupted. Just elected two consuls. The individuals who won the when the Roman Republic was heading toward office acted on the advice given by the senate. total destruction, a general named Julius Caesar They were responsible for enforcing the laws and rose to power. 3. Which of the following about the consuls in 8 Julius Caesar was a military genius who the Roman Republic is true? fought and won numerous wars. In 49 B.C., he a. The commoners in the Roman led his troops back to Rome and waged wars Republic did not gain the right of against the senate. He won. The senate made him being a consul until 367 B.C. a dictator the following year. Under Roman law, b. Consuls in the Roman Republic often a dictator could rule for only six months. But the made their own decisions. They rarely senate made an exception, allowing him to be followed the senate’s advices. dictator for life. As Caesar's power continued to c. When the two consuls disagreed with grow, some senators began to feel uneasy. They each other, they could take turns felt Caesar had gone too far and had become too making the final decision. powerful. They decided to get rid of him. On d. Everybody in the Roman Republic, March 15, 44 B.C., they assassinated him in a regardless of his citizenship, could participate in the election of consuls. gathering.

9 The death of Caesar pushed Rome into 4. Why did the plebeians establish their own turmoil again. The chaos lasted for more than ten assembly in 494 B.C.? years. In the end, Caesar's adopted son, Octavian, a. Because they wanted to have freedom managed to quash all the opposing forces and of speech Because they wanted to get more land won the civil war. The senate awarded him the b. c. Because they wanted to have equal title of Augustus (meaning "highly respected") in rights as the patricians 27 B.C. It also gave him the absolute power to d. Because they were bored rule Rome, effectively making him a king. From that point forward, ancient Rome was once again 5. Why would the Roman senate want a under the control of monarchy. Though Augustus dictator? never coined the term "Roman Empire", a. To take out opponents of Rome historians all agree that he was the first emperor b. To guarantee a victory in battle of this newly united kingdom. Thus, 27 B.C. c. To settle a dispute between the two became both the end of the Roman Republic and consuls that dragged on too long the beginning of the Roman Empire d. Romans never wanted a dictator in charge of their government 1. How long was Rome considered a Republic? a. 483 years 6. What is the main idea of the 8th paragraph? b. 467 years a. Caesar was a genius c. 510 years b. Caesar and his army won several d. 287 years battle c. Caesar’s was assassinated by the 2. According to the reading is the end of the senate Roman Republic? d. Caesar’s power continued to increase a. The death of Julius Caesar until his murder b. The Romans expelling the Etruscan King 7. Which is the correct order of the following c. Augustus had complete control of events according to the reading. Rome d. Augustus assassinated Julius Casesar I. Julius Caesar was assassinated II. The Romans revolted against the Etruscans. III. Augustus was named Emperor of the Roman Empire IV. Julius attacked Senators of Rome and became a dictator. c. II, IV, I, III a. I, II, III, IV d. IV, III, II, I b. II, IV, III, I