The Roman Republic

4/26/2011

Vocab:

Republic- political unit that is not ruled by a monarch, and when citizens with the right to vote, chose their leaders

Gravitas-  important virtue of gratitude, (weightiness or seriousness). discipline, strength and loyalty 

Pater Familias- head of Roman family,

Toga- uncomfortable garment, loose, every one wore them 

Patrician- specially privileged families, upper class Romans, claimed to have answers and fathers of Rome 

Plebeian- common farmers, artisans, and merchants. free citizens with a number of rights,

Legion- massive military unit, (4000 - 6000 people)
-Calvary
-Infantry
Century- a subdivision of the Roman legion
-80 people 

1. How did geography help Rome?

• Rome's ships controlled the entire Mediterranean Sea
• Rome is located half way between the Alps and Italy's southern tip, therfore the city is the center point within the central pinnensula
• can send out ships and armies in all direction
• big hill to see enemies coming 
• believed the Mediterranean sea was the center of the Earth                                                                                                                               

2. Why was each of the following groups important to Rome's development? Latins, Greeks and Etruscans.

• The Latins settled on either side of the Tiber River
• Rome began as a settlement of Latin Shepards

• The Greeks established about 50 colonies on the coast of southern Italy and Sicily
• All of the active cities brought all of Italy, including Rome, into closer contact with Greek civilization
• Development of religious ideas
• Romans really liked the way the Greeks were set up 

• The Etruscans were much more civilized than the Latins, had a writing system
• Great cultrually influence on the Latins
• Latin Settlers of Rome adopted the Etruscan alphabet
• developement of religious ideas
• Helped develope Rome's trade

3. What were the vales of Roman society?

• Gravitas, moral code based on strength, discipline and loyalty
• family

4.  How was the Roman household organized?

•  pater familias had all the power in the family
• father protected the family

5.  What freedoms did women have in the family and in society?

• they were in charge of the house
• she was a citizen 
• she could testify in court
• she could own property

6.  How was the army linked to Roman society?

• serving in the army was all men  
• You had to join the army before you could do anything else in society.
•  Roman-style meant being a part of the legion.