Ancient Rome

2/24/15

Overview:
Ancient Rome started in the 9th century BC as  small agricultural community along the tiber River the eventually extended around the Mediterranean Sea

Law and government 
The twelve tables - in 451 BC, the Romans created basic laws everyone must obey. They wrote them on the twelve bronze plates, which became known as the twelve tables. These were the 1st examples of Roman written law.

Helped to establish the concept of ...

Rule of law: No one is above the law, not the wealthy, powerful, or those in high positions.

The Justinian Code: Roman emperor Justinian refined many of the laws of the law and collected them all into one work. This is known as the Justinian code and it was completed in AD 529. These laws form the basis of all today's justice systems of the world.

The Roman Republic (507-27 BCE) the phase of the roman ancient civilizations characterized by a republican form of government

Republic: a form of government where power is held by the people who elect representatives to govern on their behalf

Our constitution concepts such as seperation of powers and checks and balances came to us from Roman law.

Separation of powers: no one branch becomes too powerful
Checks and balances: branches limit each others powers.

* The Romans were said to be the offspring of 2 brothers raised by wolves

Julius caesar: strong leader, his reforms made him popular among commoners- but was assassinated because the wealthy feared he was becoming too powerful.

Caesar augustus: The nephew of julius and another strong leader. He becomes the first emperor and the Roman Republic Ends- The Roman Empire begins