From Monarchy to Republic 
The replacement of the monarchy by the republic was a reactionary act of the patricians, who away from the royals increasingly committed to the impoverished classes. The monopoly of power was in the hands of the patricians, with Roman institutions ensuring the maintenance of power.
Commoners and slaves without political rights continued, but enriched with some commoners trade, came to have certain privileges resulting from their status as clients. However, depended entirely on the benefits granted by the patricians.
The basis of the Roman Republic was the Senate, consisting of three hundred patricians, with the responsibility to propose laws. The jobs were for life, sheltering other functions: ensure the integrity of tradition and religion, overseeing public finances, to conduct foreign policy and administer the provinces. The chairmanship of the Senate was exercised by the magistrate, who was calling, and may be a consul, praetor or a tribune.
There were two assemblies entrusted with voting laws suggested by the Senate. The Assembly Curiati, which lost almost all its importance during the Republic, and Centuriate Assembly, formed by centuries (military and political divisions composed of one hundred citizens), who deserved indeed discuss and vote on the proposals.
Executive power was exercised by the magistrates, belonging mostly to the class of the patricians. With the exception of the censor, all judges were elected by the Centuriate for a term of one year. Collective, the magistrates demanded the presence of two or more magistrates for each position.
The judges were following:
· Consuls: They represented the greatest power, the equivalent of the ancient kings. Two were elected for a period of one year. Had assignments as commanding the army, the Senate convene and chair the meetings. In periods of crisis, indicating a dictator who wielded power in absolute terms during the period of six months.
· Pretoria: ministering justice, there are two: one for the cities, called urban, and one for the field and for foreigners, called a pilgrim.
· Censors: Its function was to make the registration of citizens. Calculated the level of wealth of each and watched the people's moral conduct.
· Quaestors: people responsible for managing public finances.
· tribunes of the people, arose as a result of the struggles of common people for their rights. The tribunes could veto all laws contrary to the interests of common people, except in times of war, or major social disruption, when all laws were under the exclusive control of the dictator. The tribunes of the people who were considered inviolable, and the attack was condemned to death.
CLASS STRUGGLES IN THE REPUBLIC
Although commoners constitute the majority of the population were marginalized since the days of the monarchy to continue in the Republic. As a consequence, commoners suffered serious discrimination. In the war spoils were the worst with, but when they lent money and could not pay his debts, became slaves. At that time, laws were not written but oral, based on tradition, which gave great privileges to countrymen due to its complex interpretation.
The commoners had no right to participate in political decisions. They had duties to perform: to fight in the army, pay taxes, etc.. The safety of Rome depended on a strong army and numerous. The commoners were essential in the formation of the army, because they constitute the majority of the population. Conscious Weary of this and holding the plebeians refused to serve in the army, which represented a blow to the military structure of Rome.
began a long political struggle against the patricians, which lasted for more than a century. They struggled to gain rights such as to participate in political decisions, hold positions in the judiciary or to marry patricians.
To return to military service, the commoners have made several demands to the patricians and won rights. Among these was the creation of a rally of the mob, led by a tribune of the plebs. The tribune could veto all laws contrary to the interests of common people, in times less wars, or major social disruption, when all laws were under the exclusive control of the dictator. He was considered impregnable and who assaulted him was sentenced to death.
Other important achievements made by the mob were
· Laws of the Twelve Tables (450 BC) - Special Judges (decemvirs) dictated written laws valid for patricians and plebeians. Although the content of these laws were favorable to the patricians, the written code was used to give clarity to the rules, avoiding arbitrariness.
· Law cannulated (445 BC) - authorizing the marriage between patricians and plebeians. But in practice only the wealthy commoners could marry patricians.
· Law Licínia - abolished slavery for debt and still gave the commoners to participate in the consulate.
· Law Ogúlnia (300 BC) - With this law the commoners had the right to exercise the Judiciary of Pontifex Maximus.
Ortensia · Law - The commoners were able to laws passed by the Assembly of Plebe (Comitia plebeian) were valid for the whole state. These decisions were called referendum, which means "the plebeians accepted."
Although progress achieved by the accomplishments of the mob had been large, these laws in practice continued to benefit only the wealthy commoners, mainly traders, who, by marriage, could aim for the best positions in the republic. The exploitation of the poor, however, continued, without the minimal conditions to achieve the power
Nevertheless, around the third century BC, the Roman Republic was characterized by the balance of power between the classes, which in the end, hiding the fact that there was a State and a State Patrick Commoner.
TERRITORIAL EXPANSION - IMPERIALISM ROMANO
The Roman Republic was marked by achievements that have expanded their field throughout the Mediterranean basin. In Rome, slaves constituted wealth and land, and how large the owner, Roman merchants and get them was through wars and conquests. Thus, Roman imperialism manifested itself as a policy of conquest of new territories, to increase labor and slave labor to serve the interests of large landowners and slave.
The first evidence of military expansion consisted of complete dominance of the Italian peninsula. Later, they began the wars against Carthage (city in North Africa), known as the Punic Wars. Then came the expansion of the ancient world.
Carthage, the colony founded by the Phoenicians in the seventh century BC, was the great rival of Rome in the Western Mediterranean region. Carthaginian merchants dominated the trade, making a large warehouse Carthage, which had a powerful naval force and an efficient army of mercenaries.
First Punic War: The Carthaginians occupied part of Sicily. Taking advantage of a dispute involving pirates italiotas inhabitants and Carthaginians from Sicily, Rome went to war with Carthage in 264 BC After several fights, which lasted 23 years, Roma won the decisive battle, which took place on the island of Egale. Led by Hamilcar Barca, the forces Carthaginians had to pay a heavy tribute to the winners and give to Rome the islands of Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia.
Second Punic War: To compensate for losses in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Carthage began to intensively explore the silver mines of Spain, was a way to get resources for the rematch. In an attempt to avoid further wars, a Roman delegation arrived to be sent to Carthage, as the aim of defining areas of influence of the two contenders. But the initiative was unsuccessful and in 216 BC, Hannibal Barca, son of Hamilcar, sailed from Carthage with a formidable force of sixty thousand, ten thousand horses and a large number of elephants.
The Carthaginian army sailed northward and, after crossing the Alps, defeated the Romans, managing to get near Rome. However, the rebellion of the Greek cities in Macedonia Hannibal deprived of a valuable ally. Gradually, the Roman army was regaining positions until, at the Battle of Zama in 202 BC, the Carthaginians were finally defeated.
The result of the war was painful for the Carthaginians, lost to Spain and the rest of the Iberian Peninsula and had to surrender their naval fleet to the Romans.
War III Punic: The third and last war (150-146 BC), an army of eighty thousand men, led by General Emiliano Scipio was sent to Africa and Carthage reduced to a mere province. The city was totally destroyed, its forty thousand inhabitants and enslaved the conquered lands divided among the invaders. Thus, Rome completed its domination over the entire Western Mediterranean.
Eliminated rival (Carthage), the Romans paved the way for the domination of the Western Mediterranean region (Iberia, Gaul) and eastern (Macedonia, Greece, Asia Minor). The Mediterranean was entirely controlled by the Romans, who called nare of nostrum ("our sea").
Consequences of Imperialism
Roman rule in the Mediterranean basin has resulted in major economic, social and political crisis that led to the end and Republic, forming the Empire.
The economy now is based on the sale of slaves captured from the defeated people and collection of taxes from the conquered regions. One of the repercussions of this change was the formation of a class of rich merchants, knights.
Slave labor has moved into all professional activities, especially in large properties, which reached an extension of 80,000 hectares. While in Greece during the classical period, slavery coincided with the stabilization of small property and the formation of a citizens' group composed mainly of smallholders in Rome was the result of the large estates and the domain of a powerful aristocracy.
The company also has been transformed. The rich Roman nobles in general belonging to the Senate, became owners of large estates, which were cultivated by slaves. Required to serve in the Roman army, many commoners returned to Italy so impoverished that to survive, began to sell their goods. Without land, many farmers have migrated to the town commons, and began living around Rome with bread and circuses provided by the state.
The crisis of the Republic
changes resulting from imperialist exploitation, opened a new framework in Rome, marked by violent political and social struggles. Initially there were conflicts between the patricians and plebeians, and then between patricians and knights, who claimed the right to occupy positions in the judiciary and the Senate, because that would increase their economic power. These struggles would destroy the foundations of the Roman Republic and form the Empire.
Reform of Graco
Given the climate of tension, the brothers Tiberius and Gaius Graco, who were tribunes of the people, tried to promote social reform (133-132 BC) to improve the living conditions of the mass commoner. Among other measures, proposed the distribution of land among the peasants and commoners limitations to the growth of large estates. Then suffered a strong opposition from the Roman Senate. Eventually assassinated at the behest of the nobles, who felt threatened by popular support that the brothers were receiving Graco.
Failed social reforms of Graco brother, politics, economy and Roman society, entered a period of great instability.
A FIGHT between patricians and plebeians
The alliance of knights and patricians was weak, mainly because there was among them, a relentless struggle for power. After the death of the Gracchi brothers, the mob orphaned political leadership, allied with the Democratic Party, formed by wealthy merchants - the Knights - who fought to take away the power of the patricians.
The patricians, in turn, were unable to resolve the serious problems that threatened the Republic. While Therefore, victorious generals in countless battles reached enormous popularity and used his prestige to make a political career.
Mario was an example of this new politician. After winning many battles in Africa, allied itself with the radical faction of the Democratic Party, the Popular Party, was elected consul illegally for six consecutive times. (105-100 BC). Because of his plebeian origin, Mario was hated by the Senate. But his popularity grew even more after victory over the Teutons.
Sila great rival of Mario and his subordinate in Africa, became famous when, in the service of the patricians suppressed with great violence wars social erupted across Italy. The rivalry between the two resulted in a violent civil war that ended with the death of Mario in 86 BC. With the support of the Senate, Sila reached an almost absolute power. However, the domain of Sila was short lived. After defeating the final supporters of Mario dropped out of public life.
Wars involving Rome from Sulla and Marius, demonstrated that the patricians of the Republic came to an end, emerging new tools of power, as the urban populace and professional army.
The First Triumvirate
In the 70 BC, Rome faced a major crisis: in Spain, the supporters Mário grouped themselves, rebellious, about Sertorius, the province that sought separation of the empire; East Mitríades again rebelled, Italy has a great slave rebellion led by Spartacus. The performance of Pompey and Crassus in the projected events in political life. Like them, she began designing Julio Cesar, linked to the popular party. Skilful and audacious, Caesar assumed the lederança People's Party, after the failure of conjuration of Catiline. Taking advantage of the discontent of Pompey and Crassus, Julius Caesar against the Senate has joined them and formed the First Triumvirate. As a result of this union was elected Caesar Consulate to which measures taken gave him popular support. Land laws. Achieved great military victories because of territorial gains, strengthening the army and increasing wealth of Rome.
With the death of Crassus and Julius Caesar in Asia ruling Gaul, Pompey was alone in Rome. Fearing the strengthening of Caesar, Pompey conspired with the Senate and was elected consul and "gave him the defense of the Republic against the ambitions of Caesar." The attitude of the Senate has precipitated a civil war. Backed by the army marched on Rome and Caesar won pomped who fled to Egypt where he was assassinated. Thus, Caesar became dictator for life.
REFORMS UNDERTAKEN DURING THE DICTATORSHIP OF CESAR
· Division of land and creation of new settlements,
· Revocation of power of the Senate and limited the powers of the tribunes and assemblies;
• Determine that the landlords would be forced to use their land 1 / 3 of free workers;
-Limit Pro powers of provincial governors;
· Reform Calendar - Julian calendar. The Republic
going to have a military character of monarchy. Caesar was Emperor entitulei. The reforms made by Caesar, led the aristocracy and the Senate to conspire against him, which resulted in his assassination in 44 BC However, the conspirators failed to take power or restore the senatorial power. After the death of Julius Caesar formed the Second Triumvirate - legal agreement between Mark Antony, Lepidus and Octavian Augustus in 43 BC.
the Second Triumvirate
The government of the republic was divided. Octavian got the West, Antony and Lepidus in the east to Africa. Disputes between the three members of the new government for supremacy of power generated changes. Lepidus was gradually being removed, just breaking up with Mark Antony Octavius. Marco Antonio with the support of Cleópota, Queen of Egypt strengthened making the inevitable clash with Octavian. Octavian defeated Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC and after the defeat, Antony committed suicide along with Cleópota and Egypt was annexed to Rome.
With his victory in Egypt and the possession of the immense treasure of Pharaoh, Octavius \u200b\u200bhas amassed a fortune that allowed him to form a powerful army, composed of seventy legions, and supply of wheat to the Roman plebs.
having under his control the main sources of power (the army and the plebs), Octavian began to establish a new form of government. More careful than Caesar, sought to disguise his own power, keeping in appearances the Republican Regime.
For fear of losing their privileges, the Senate cumulu Otávio title: tribunician power (which made it sacrosanct and inviolable), Consular Emperor (which he entrusted the supreme command of the army in all provinces), Pontifex Maximus (which became head of the Roman religion); Princeps Senatus (which gave him the right to govern the Senate), Emperor (title reserved for generals winners) and, finally, Augustus (title reserved for gods). Marking the beginning of the Empire and late Republic, formed a political system characterized by the theocratic absolutism, much like the ancient oriental empires.
: Walk Assisi
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