Ancient Rome: History, Government, and Social Structure

The Founding of Rome: Legend and History

• Legendary Account: According to the legend, Rome was founded by the brothers Romulus and Remus, born of the union between Mars, god of war, and the daughter of an Etruscan king. They were raised by wolves. As adults, the two brothers had an argument which ended in Romulus' defeat of Remus and the subsequent founding of Rome.
• Historical Account: According to historians, the Etruscans and Latins founded the city in a strategic location near the sea. The Tiber River flows through the area, and there are a number of hills providing natural defense.

The Roman Monarchy (753–509 BC)

From the founding of the city until the 5th century BC, Rome took the form of a city-state ruled by kings (including Sabine and Etruscan rulers). The king held the highest authority in political, military, and religious matters, supported by two key institutions:

• The Senate: Made up of the heads of the city's most powerful families (patricians).
• The Comitia (Assembly): Made up of the rest of the citizens.

The Roman Republic: Government Structure

Magistracies were the main bodies of government, elected annually:

Key Magistracies

• Consuls: Two consuls proposed laws and led the army.
• Praetors: Responsible for dispensing justice.
• Quaestors: Managed public accounts and finances.
• Aediles: Oversaw public life, including infrastructure and games.
• Censors: Conducted the census of citizens, classifying them based on wealth.

Other vital institutions included:

• The Senate: Where major decisions were made. It advised the magistrates and managed foreign policy and the army.
• The Comitia (Assemblies): Composed of free citizens, often structured based on their wealth and origin. They elected the magistrates and proposed new laws.

Mediterranean Expansion and Roman Conquests

Roman expansion relied on military conquest and strategic alliances. Key periods of expansion include:

• 5th–3rd Centuries BC: Focus on the Western Mediterranean, culminating in conflict with Carthage during the Punic Wars.
• 3rd–2nd Centuries BC: Expansion into the Eastern Mediterranean, defeating the Greeks and Macedonians.
• 1st Century BC: Conquests extended to Gaul, Great Britain, and parts of Central Europe.

The Roman Army: Structure and Effectiveness

The Roman Army was highly effective, transitioning over time into a professional force composed primarily of free men.

Roman Society and Social Classes

1. Monarchy Era Social Structure

   • Patricians: Descended from the founding families of Rome. They held political power and owned land.
   • Plebeians: Free citizens who initially had little involvement in politics. They paid taxes and served in the army.
   • Slaves: Typically prisoners of war or the children of slaves.
   • Clients: Semi-free people who served patricians. This group also included freedmen and freedwomen (slaves who had gained their freedom).

2. Republic Era Social Changes

   • Conquest significantly increased the number of slaves.
   • Knights (Equites): Often of plebeian origins, they gained great economic power through trade and finance.

3. Imperial Era Citizenship

   • The Nobilitas, Knights, and Plebeians generally held Roman citizenship.
   • Slaves and freedmen were typically not considered full citizens.

The Roman Economy: Key Activities

• Agriculture: The most important economic activity. Land was owned by free peasants or consisted of large estates (latifundia) worked by slaves, growing cereals, grapes, and olives.
• Livestock Farming
• Mining
• Artisanal Activity (Craftsmanship)
• Trade

Roman Diet and Class Differences

• Wealthier Classes: Enjoyed a rich and varied diet, including meat, fish, and wine.
• Poorer Classes: Primarily subsisted on staples like bread, soup, and grains such as barley or wheat.