World History: Patterns of Interaction: Chapter 6

A republic is a form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders.

One group was the patricians, the wealthy landowners who held most of the power.

The other important group was the plebeians, the common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up the majority of the population.

In time, Rome’s leaders allowed the plebeians to form their own assembly and elect representatives called tribunes. Tribunes protected the rights of the plebeians from unfair acts of patrician officials.

Rome had two officials called consuls. Like kings, they commanded the army and directed the government. However, their power was limited. A consul’s term was only one year long.

The senate was the aristocratic branch of Rome’s government. It had both legislative and administrative functions in the republic.

In times of crisis, the republic could appoint a dictator—a leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army. A dictator’s power lasted for only six months.

Roman soldiers were organized into large military units called legions.

A period of civil war, or conflict between groups within the same country, followed their deaths.

For the next ten years, these men dominated Rome as a triumvirate, a group of three rulers.

Some of the Gospels are thought to have been written by one or more of Jesus’ disciples, or pupils. These 12 men later came to be called apostles.

Most Jews were driven from their homeland into exile. This dispersal of the Jews is called the Diaspora.

At the local level, a priest led each small group of Christians. A bishop, who was also a priest, supervised several local churches.

Eventually, every major city had its own bishop. However, later bishops of Rome claimed to be the heirs of Peter. These bishops said that Peter was the first pope, the father or head of the Christian Church.

However, the economy soon suffered from inflation, a drastic drop in the value of money coupled with a rise in prices.

To defend against the increasing threats to the empire, the government began to recruit mercenaries, foreign soldiers who fought for money. While mercenaries would accept lower pay than Romans, they felt little sense of loyalty to the empire.

Arches also supported bridges and aqueducts. Aqueducts were designed by Roman engineers to bring water into cities and towns.