ROME- ORIGINS OF THE REPUBLIC (3) Flashcards
(28 cards)
What were the two ‘orders’ (classes of people)
Patricians and Plebeians
What was the difference between plebeians and patricians
Plebeians made up the faming/labouring population in Rome, or served in the army. The patricians descended from the noble families during Romulus’ reign and were the generals/administrators who would manage the army/public affairs (magistrates)
What were the classes in the miliatry?
Velites- Roman light infantry, recruited from the poorest of plebeians- used javelins, and hand to hand combat when fighting
Hoplites- soldiers of Ancient Greek city states, probably adopted by Rome in the 5th Century BC
Equites-Made up of wealthier plebeians/patricians, who would be given a horse by the state, and allowed to fight in the Roman cavalry
What was the highest rank accessible by Patricians?
Consul
What benefits did being a consul have?
It would grant a patrician access to the Senate for life and allow them to command Rome’s armies
Outline of the Rape of Lucretia- Beginning
Superbus’ sons and their cousin, Collatinus, were drinking heavily during the siege of Ardea
This led to a debate about their wives’ virtues
Collatinus was so positive he would win that he convinced everyone to ride home and spy on their wives
All but Collatinus’ wife, Lucretia, were drinking heavily, while Lucretia was working hard with her maids
Outline the Rape of Lucretia- Sextus’ views
Sextus, according to Livy, was ‘drunk with lust’ and decided he would rape Lucretia
He returned a few days later, and was given a guest room by Lucretia, but attacked her in the night
Outline the Rape of Lucretia- The event
Sextus first threatened to kill her if she didn’t sleep with him. She refused.
He then threatened to destroy her husband’s reputation by exposing her as an adulterer
He told Lucretia he would rape and murder her, and then tell everyone he had discovered Lucretia with a male slave, and had killed them both
Lucretia submitted in order to save her husband’s career.
Outline the Rape of Lucretia- The aftermath
When Sextus left, Lucretia sent for her father and husband.
Her husband, Collatinus, came with Lucius Junius Brutus
Her father, Spurius Lucretius, came with Publius Valerius
Lucretia told them of Sextus’ crime, making them vow revenge before driving a knife deep into her chest
Who was Brutus in relation to Superbus?
Nephew
How did Brutus escape Superbus’ paranoia?
He played uninterested in power- the name Brutus can be translated as ‘fool’
How did Brutus create the Roman Republic?
Having just witnessed Lucretia’s death, the men carried her body out of the house into the public square. Brutus urged the men to join and take up arms against the army who were still in Ardea at this time. It was in his capacity as tribune of the celeres (the king’s most loyal soldiers) to convene the comitia curiata to abrogate the king’s imperium. On his return from Ardea, Superbus was refused entry into Rome. He and his family were exiled, apart from Sextus, who returned to Gabii
How did the consuls progress (who were they?)
To begin with, Lucius Junius Brutus, and Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus. However, during the Tarquin conspiracy, Collatinus left Rome, and left Publius Valerius Publicola to become consul. After Brutus’ death, the next consul to be elected was Spurius Lucretius, but he soon died and was replaced by Marcus Horatius.
What was the Tarquin conspiracy?
The family of Superbus, including Brutus’ own sons, plotted to murder Brutus, Brutus ordered their execution, in order to protect the republic
Outline the duties of a consul (5)
Controlled the army and were the most important magistrates in the Roman Republic
Elected for one year
Two were appointed to stop one man from becoming too powerful.
Performed auspices before battles, to predict their outcomes
Patricians could be elected multiple times, but never in successive years
Outline the duties of a censor (3)
Elected for 5 years
Performed the census to decide what class every Roman citizen belonged to
Maintain the public and organise building projects
Outline the duties of a dictator (2)
Replaced the consuls and had total power to defend Rome in an emergency
Held the position for 6 months
What was a Master of the Horse?
Dictator’s deputy appointed to keep a check on his power and to ensure it was not used to create a tyranny
Outline the duties of the Senate during the republic
Gave advice to the consuls
Controlled the treasury, and therefore the city’s development and relationship with other nations
Retired magistrates; held the position for life
What did Superbus do having been exiled from Rome
He appealed to the Etruscan towns, centred on Tarquinii and Veii, promising to help them get their revenge on Rome.
Outline the battle of Silvia Arsia
509-508 BC
Brutus- cavalry
Valerius- infantry
Arruns- cavalry
Superbus- infantry
As the armies were approaching eachother, Arruns recognised Brutus by his lictors. He, angered made straight for Brutus. The two met with extreme violence, and they killed eachother.
The battle itself was indecisive, and the armies dispersed.
Outline the aftermath of the Battle of Silvia Arsia (2)
A voice was heard coming from the Arsian wood, saying that the Etruscans had lost one more man and the Romans were therefore victorious.
Brutus was given a state funeral.
What happened to Valerius after he becamee sole consul
Rumours began spreading that he was aiming to become king- he had taken no steps to fill the place of Brutus, and he was also building himself a house on the top of the Velian hill, which may have become an impregnable fortress.
Valerius, distressed by this, called a meeting of the people, declaring to build his house at the very base of the hill (even below that of normal citizens) so that they could live above and keep an eye on him.
He also introduced a number of laws to guarantee fair prices for plebeians, and gave them the right to appeal against unfair magistrates. This earned him the title ‘Publicola’ (people’s friend)
What happened with Lars Porsena and Superbus?
Superbus asked Porsena, who was the king of Clusium, for help to restore him as king of Rome
Porsena was convinced- he felt restoring the monarchy would increase his own security and enhance the Etruscans’ prestige, if the Romans had Etruscan rulers.
