Comprehensive Roman History (SLL1097S) Study Guide
This document includes:
Section B: Roman Republic
Timeline
Military & Expansion
Senate & Politics
Early Rome & Methodologies
Past Paper Questions
Section C: Augustus and Beyond
Timeline
Augustus' Divestment of Triumvi...
Section B – Military, politics and early Rome & formation (753BC-510/09BC)
Roman Republic Timeline:
- 753 BCE - Romulus founded Rome. - 449 BCE - The Valerio-Horatian Laws
- 715 BCE - Numa Pompillius becomes King. passed.
- 672 BCE - Tullus Hostillius becomes King. - 445 BCE - The Lex Canuleia is passed,
- 642 BCE - Ancus Marcius becomes King. equality in law between patricians and
- 616 BCE - Tarquinius Priscus becomes King. plebeians, can now marry.
- 579 BCE - Servius Tullius becomes King. - 406 BCE - Battle of veil begins.
- 534 BCE - Tarquinius Superbus becomes - 396 BCE - Conquest of Veii
King. - 390 BCE - Sack of Rome by Gauls,
- 509 BCE - Tarquinius Superbus exiled, defeated Romans and Romans forced to
Republic begins, officials now elected. pay large ransom of gold.
- 501 BCE - Dictator position created. - 368-367 BCE - The Lex Licinia Sextia,
- 496 BCE - Battle of Lake Regulus, Roman’s - 366 BCE - first plebeian consul elected.
defeat Latins and sign Treaty - 343 BCE - First Samnite War
- 494 BCE - First Succession - 342 BCE - Importance based more on
- 493 BCE - Cassian Treaty, alliance individual getting high offices and wealth,
between Romans and Latin league not as much based on descent & family.
- 477 BCE - Battle of the Creamer fought - 340 BCE - The Latin War
between the Rome & the Etruscan city - 326 BCE - Second Samnite War
Veii. - 287 BCE - The Lex Hortensia is passed,
- 451 BCE - Decemviri appointed to write 12 making all laws passed by plebeian
Tables. council binding on all. Ended conflict of
- 450 BCE - Rome defeats Aequi army the orders
- 450 BCE - The Twelve tables are written. - 275 BCE - Rome controlled entire Boot of
Italy
Military & Expansion of Roman Republic:
Early period —> Roman army under direct command of the king.
▪ Made of approx. +-3000 men from citizen army:
• Ramneses
• Ti tiensies
• Lucenses
Led by tribunus "tribal officer " under Kings authority.
Servian Reforms:
- Servius Tullius introduced reforms that divided people into classes based on ability to provide own arms &
equipment for military service.
- Equites, richest class -> distinguished from rest of population —> formed infantry and / into 5 classes, lowest
5 classes.
▪ capite censi & landless men
KEY BATTLES:
▪ Battle of Lake Regillus – shortly after establishment of roman republic, victory over Latin League
▪ The siege of Veii (396 BC) – prolonged war between Romans & Etruscan city of Veii → resulted in
capture.
▪ Battle of Creamer (477 BC)
▪ Sack of Rome (390 BC)
▪ Samnite Wars (2) (343-290BC)
▪ Latin War (340-338BC) – dissolution of Latin League – Rome incorporating its territory, establishing
new principles governing alliances & various judicial categories for relationships among city-states.
,° Regal Period: Rome's early history included seven kings, beginning with Romulus (753-716 BC. They
contributed to the establishment of political, military, and social institutions in Rome. The last three kings,
believed to be Etruscans, played significant roles in transforming Rome into a city with characteristics similar
to Etruscan cities. Romulus's actions included dividing people into tribes, laying out the city’s ritual
boundaries, establishing the Senate, and setting the basis for Roman religious rituals.
° Etruscan Influence: The Etruscans, a powerful group in Italy, influenced Rome's language, religion, and
urban planning. By 600 BC, they had conquered most of northern and central Italy, including Rome. They
left behind a rich cultural legacy and had a profound impact on Roman development. They even played a
role in the establishment of Rome's early kings, with Servius Tullius being described as possibly an Etruscan.
- Romes’s relations with other regions went through changes in 5th BC → affecting social fabric.
Roman republic relied on military strength, with notable leaders; Marcus Valerius Corvus & Titus Manlius
Torquatus serving consuls & military commanders.
▪ The dictatorship (501 BC) → used during military crises ensuring unified command.
▪ Samnite Wars (2) (343-290BC) & Latin War (340-338BC) were pivotal conflicts.
• Publius Decius Mus
• Gaius Fulvius Silvanus
• Gaius Julius
→ crucial in expansion & military victories
Dictatorship: The dictatorship was occasionally established in times of military emergency for unified
command, with figures like Publius Decius Mus and Gaius Fulvius Silvanus taking crucial roles. The
dictatorship, as established in 501 BC, was used during military crises, ensuring unified command.
Expansion of Rome
Rome rapidly expanded, controlling almost the entirety of Italy. Expansion into Italy & Mediterranean saw
conflicts.
▪ Territorial growth & political dominance
Etruscans - Important to development of Rome = Common language of Etruscans & shared mythology &
religion & similar burial practices to Latins
Rome's military power was critical in its expansion, with the consuls serving as chief magistrates and military
leaders.
The dictatorship was used in times of military crisis to ensure unified command.
The Samnite Wars and the Latin War were pivotal conflicts that contributed to Rome's territorial expansion
and political dominance.
As Rome expanded territory & influence in the region
▪ Engaged in conflicts & alliances with neighbors; Sabines, Aequi, Volsci & Latins
▪ These interactions led to Rome’s development and political landscape especially with introduction
of servient reforms (dividing citizens into classes) – (for military & political purposes)
- By 275 BC Rome controlled entire Italian Peninsula (the "Boot ")
- Rome's military: Innovative & adopted ideas from successful armies & incorporating conquered or allied
neighbors into forces.
Senate & Politics:
, • The Senate was initiated, supposedly by Romulus, as a board or council to advise the king. It became a
significant institution in Roman politics. Over time, its membership became hereditary. The Roman Senate,
including prominent members like Marcus Valerius Corvus and Titus Manlius Torquatus, served as an advisory
council. Popular assemblies like the centuriate assembly and tribal assembly played significant roles in
electing magistrates and making legislative decisions.
▪ The Roman Senate served as an advisory council with influential members like Marcus Valerius
Corvus and Titus Manlius Torquatus.
▪ The consulship was the primary executive office held by two annually elected consuls with significant
military and political authority.
▪ Popular assemblies, such as the centuriate assembly and tribal assembly, were essential for electing
magistrates and passing legislation in the Roman Republic.
Transition to the Roman Republic:
• The transition from a monarchy to the Roman Republic occurred in 509 BC, following the expulsion of the
Tarquins. Consuls were elected annually to rule the city, replacing the kings as the leaders of the state.
Struggle of the Orders (509-287 BC):
• The Struggle of the Orders marked a complex and multi-faceted social and political development in
Rome. It spanned two centuries and led to changes and innovations in early Roman history. The struggle
revolved around issues such as debt laws, land redistribution, and political representation, significantly
shaping the evolution of the Roman Republic.
Plebeian Tribunate (494 BC) & Law of the Twelve Tables (451 BC): The plebeian tribunate emerged as a
response to the struggle of orders, providing protection and representation for plebeians. The Law of the
Twelve Tables represented the first systematic codification of Roman law, such as Valerio-Horatian Laws (449
BC), Lex Canuleia (445 BC), and Lex Licinia Sextia (368-367 BC).
Consulship (509 BC): The establishment of the consulship marked the beginning of the Roman Republic,
replacing kingship with two annually elected consuls, such as Marcus Valerius Corvus and Titus Manlius
Torquatus, who held military power.
Roman Relations with Latins:
• The Latins were a group of people occupying a central place in Italy. Romans recognized themselves as
Latin people and were part of the Italian and Mediterranean context.
• Latin communities were unique but shared commonalities like language, material culture, religion, and
mythology.
• There was a collective Latin consciousness, with important shrines where Latin people would gather
annually to celebrate, reinforcing ethnic unity.
• Strong legal and commercial links existed between Latin communities.
Latin Rights
Latin Rights encompassed several key elements:
• Commercium: Latins could own land in any Latin city and make legally enforceable
contracts with citizens.
• Conubium: Latins were permitted to enter lawful marriages with residents of any other Latin
city.
• lus migrationis: People with Latin status had the capacity to acquire citizenship of another
Latin state by taking up permanent residence there.
These Latin Rights highlighted the interconnectedness and legal aspects of the relationships between Latin
communities and contributed to the expansion of Rome.
Early Rome & all that
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