Rome Day 2

The Roman Republic
Questions P. 159

1.
Republic - Form of government, in which power rests with the citizens, which the Romans used during the years before the empire.
Patrician - Wealthy landowners who held most of the power, like the aristocrats of Greece.
Plebeian - The common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up a majority of the population.
Tribune - Representatives elected by the plebeians that would protect their rights from unfair acts of the upper class patricians.
Consul - One of two officials that acted like kings for the republic, commanding the army and directing the government, but having limited power with terms only lasting a year.
Senate - Aristocratic branch of Rome's government, preforming legislative and administrative functions with 300 members from Rome's upper class. Later Plebeians were allowed in.
Dictator - Leader with absolute power to make laws and command the army. Appointed in times of a crisis with their power only lasting 6 months. Chosen by the consuls and elected by the senate.
Legion - Large military units in which Roman soldiers were organized into. Made of 5,000 heavily armed infantry, with supporting cavalry group.
Punic Wars - Long struggle involving multiple wars between Rome and Carthage between 264 B.C. and 146 B.C.
Hannibal - 29-year-old Carthaginian general who was the mastermind behind the Second Punic War. Brilliant military strategist who wanted to avenge Carthage's defeat in the First Punic War.

3.
The limitations on a consuls power were as follows; Terms lasted only one year, after being in term you would have to wait ten years to run again. The consuls could also overrule one of the other's decisions.

4.
The significance of the Twelve Tables is that Roman law was finally set in stone (literally). Previously to the Twelve Tables, Roman law was up to interpretation and mainly retained through word of mouth. This means judges could interpret the laws to suit themselves and unfairly act upon someone. With the laws written, and hung in the Forum, it became what would establish the idea that all free citizens had a right to the protection of the law.

5.
Hannibal's attack on Rome was daring and different because rather than going straight for his main objective, he lead a long trek from Spain across France through the Alps. This lead to him being able to move his forces freely up and down the Italian peninsula for more than a decade. He would see great victories in which he would inflict heavy losses on the Roman army. Although he was close, the Roman army was able to regroup and prevent him from capturing Rome.