The Roman Republic

CHAPTER 

6 

GUIDED READING The Roman Republic 

Section 1 

A. Following Chronological Order As you read about the growth of Rome into a 

powerful republic, answer the questions about events in the timeline. (Some dates in the timeline are approximate.) 

753 B.C. Rome is founded, according to legend

1. How did geography affect the development of 

Rome? 

Built on a curve near the Tiber River and was near the Mediterranian sea.

600 B.C. Etruscan becomes king of Rome. 

2. How did the Etruscans influence the development 

of Rome? 

They brought their own system of writing and implemented the use of the arch.

509 B.C. Roman aristocrats overthrow monarchy and establish a republic. 

3. Which were the main groups that competed for 

power in the early Roman republic? 

The patricians and the plebeians.

451 B.C.Officials begin writing the Twelve Tables. 

4. What is the significance of the Twelve Tables in 

Roman law? 

It was the idea that all free citizens had a right to the protection of the law.

246 B.C. Rome and Carthage go to war, and Punic Wars begin. 

5. What were the causes of the first Punic War? 

For the control of Sicily and the western Mediterranean.

218 B.C. The Second Punic War begins. 

202 B.C. Romans defeat Hannibal's army. 

6. What tactic did Scipio use to defeat Hannibal?. 

To force Hannibal to return to defend his native city.

149 B.C. The Third Punic War begins when/ Rome lays siege to Carthage. Rome destroys Carthage. 

7. What was the significance of the Punic Wars for 

Rome? 

Gave Rome it dominance over the western

Mediterranean.

TERMS & NAMES 

1. For each term or name, write a sentence explaining its significance.

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

• patrician- wealthy landowners who held most of the power.

• plebeian- common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up the majority of the population.

• tribune- elected representatives that protected the rights of the plebeians from unfair acts of patrician officials.

• consul- they commanded the army and directed the government.

• senate- the aristocratic branch of Rome’s government.

• dictator- dictator—a leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army.

• legion- organized large military units

• Punic Wars- Rome and Carthage went to war.

• Hannibal- a brilliant military strategist who wanted to avenge Carthage’s earlier defeat.

USING YOUR READING GUIDE

2. What do you consider to be the most important event in the chronological timeline for the development of Rome?Why?

The third Punic War because that is when Rome gained most of their power and strength.

MAIN IDEAS

3. What limits were there on the power of the Roman consuls?

Their term was only one year long. The same person could not be elected consul again for ten years.

4. What was the significance of the Twelve Tables?

Became the basis for Roman law.

5. How was Hannibal’s attack on Rome daring and different?

led his army on a long trek from Spain across France and through the Alps.

Spread of the Hellenistic Culture

GUIDED READING The Spread of Hellenistic Culture Section 5 

A. Summarizing As you read this section, fill in the diagram by listing the achievements of Hellenistic scholars and philosophers. 

1. Astronomy

• Discoveries: The sun is 300 times bigger than Earth, and Earth, like the other planets, revolved around the sun
• Earth’s circumference 

2. Mathematics 

• The value of pi
• Geometry propositions 
• Proofs
• Ratio of circumference of a circle and the diameter

3. Physics

• Law of the lever
• Something heavy can be moved by a smaller force
• Archimedes screw

4. Philosophy 

• God established natural laws for the universe
• Stoicism
• School of thought
• Five senses

B. Clarifying Define Hellenistic and explain how Alexandria became a center of 

Hellenistic culture. 

Hellenistic- Greek culture blending with Egyptian, Persian, and Indian culture. 

Alexander became a center of this culture because it was created from his policies.

TERMS & NAMES 1. For each term or name, write a sentence explaining its significance.

• Hellenistic- Greek culture blending with Egyptian, Persian, and Indian culture. 

• Alexandria- An Eygptian city and the foremost center of commerce

• Euclid- a highly educated mathmeticians in Alexandria

• Archimedes- A scientist in the Hellenistic age that studied in Alexandria

• Colossus of Rhodes- A bronze statue that stood more than 100 feet high

USING YOUR READING GUIDE

2. Which Hellenistic achievement had the

greatest impact? Why?

Mathematics because a lot of the same concepts are still used today

MAIN IDEAS

3. How did trade contribute to cultural diversity in the Hellenistic city of Alexandria?

Different culture trading with one another led to cultural diffusion

4. How did Euclid influence some of the developments in astronomy during the Hellenistic period?

He used geometry and it influence how scientist were able to tell the size of the sun.

5. What did Stoicism and Epicureanism have in common?

Both said how people should live their lives.

Golden Age of Athens

Lauren Bullock

3-17-20 

CHAPTER5 

GUIDED READING Democracy and Greece’s Golden Age Section 3 

A. Summarizing As you read this section, take notes to answer questions about 

Athens’ golden age. 

Pericles had three goals for Athens. 

1. How did Pericles strengthen democracy? 

He increased the number of paid public officials.

2. What steps did Pericles take to strengthen the 

empire and glorify Athens? 

Pericles used the money from the Delian League to strengthen Athens Navy. 

He also used some money to beautify Athens. Such as gold, ivory and marble.

The Greeks invented drama. 

3. What themes were common in Greek tragedy? 

love, hate, war, or betrayal

4. What do the themes of Greek comedies suggest 

about the men and women of Athens? 

The men and women of Athens had a dry sense of humor.

Greek philosophers search for truth. 

5. What was Plato’s vision of the ideal society? 

Three classes of people and the person with the most 

insight and intellect would rule.

6. What is the philosophic legacy of Aristotle? 

His work provides the foundation for the scientific method that is used today.

1. For each term or name, write a sentence explaining its significance. • direct democracy- Citizens get to rule directly and not through a representative.  • classical art- The Greek standard of harmony, order, balance, and proportion.  • tragedy- A serious drama with themes of love, hate, war, or betrayal.  • comedy- Filled with slapstick situations and crude humor,  • Peloponnesian War- Sparta declared war on Athens so both city-states went to war.   • philosopher- People who began to question their values.   • Socrates- He was a critic of the Sophists.  • Plato- He was a student of Socrates.  • Aristotle- He questioned the nature of the world. USING YOUR NOTES 2. Which of Pericles’ goals do you think had the greatest impact on the modern world? Explain your choice. To strengthen the empire because Athens had one of the strongest navies. MAIN IDEAS 3. What steps did Pericles take to strengthen democracy in Athens? He involved citizens in the government. 4. What were the battle strategies of Athens and Sparta in the Peloponnesian War? Athens wanted to attack on water while Sparta wanted to attack on land. 5. Why do you think some Athenians found the ideas of Socrates so disturbing? He did not follow what everyone else did.

Video about the Greeks

Lo1: To track the progression of Athenian Greek development from the advent of Democracy in Athens through the Persian Wars and the Greek Golden Age.


 The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization

Directions: Answer the following questions based on the movie. The questions are listed in the order they appear in the film. IMPORTANT: The Crucible of Civilization is a two part film. This is part 1 and you will also watch part 2 of the film to get a more complete story of the rise and fall of the ancient Greeks.

1. What was the situation in Athens in 508 BC?  The common people revolted.

2. What class did Cleisthenes come from and what kind of power did this group exercise over Athenians? He was an Athenian noble man. He grew up in an elite family and was an aristocrat.

3. How did Aristotle describe life for most Athenians in the 6th century BC?  The aristocrats controlled everything that happened in Athens.

4. Where were the great civilizations in Cleisthenes day and how was Greece geographically different than these? The acropolis and the waterways. Greece has many mountains and terrain.

5. What Greek city seemed the most likely to dominate all others politically during Cleisthenes lifetime?  Sparta

6. What specific stories inspired Cleisthenes and his fellow Greeks? The illiad and odyssey

7. Describe Arete, the Greek ideal or vision of a hero. To seize power and victory for himself.

8. What surprising political move did the ruler Pisistratus make in order to consolidate power in Athens?  He would have to fin allies in order to remain in power and pass it down. He introduced loans to Athenians.

9. What was Athens' most valuable trading commodity? Olives and olive oil

10. What Athenian product that was almost worthless at the time now commonly fetches millions of dollars on the Antiquities market? What were the artisans who made these products main motivation in doing such good work? They made vases and were motivate by

11. How was Hippias a different ruler than his father Pisistratus? What did he do to his father's reforms? Hippias ruled as a tyrant. He tortured one of the wives that her husband murdered the brother of Hippias. He started executing.

12. What did Cleisthenes do in 510 BC? How was Greek society in Athens changing at this time? He put together a group to overthrow the tyrant and he took over. Every Athenian was important now.

13. How had the Olympics changed from their founding to the days of Cleisthenes and how did this festival influence ordinary Greeks? The Olympics back then were a chance for someone to display their heroic ability. Women were prohibited from the event.

14. Who did Isagoras turn to in 508 BC to help him overthrow Cleisthenes?  He turned outside Athens to Sparta.

15. What happened in Athens while Cleisthenes was in exile? What did this do for Cleisthenes? The Athenians revolted against Isagoras and the Spartans.

1. What did Cleisthenes carve out from the hillside that was near the Acropolis and why did he do this? What was this the beginning of? A meeting place (Agora) which is a way for people to hold the power. This was the beginning of Democracy.

The Greek city-states

LO1: Define polis, acropolis, demo's, monarchy, oligarchy, aristocracy, tyranny
LO2: Compare the different models of government used in Ancient Greece
LO3: Compare lifestyles in two main city states, Athens & Sparta

Polis: The Greek word for city-state
Acropolis: A temple built upon a mound of Earth
Demo's: Everyday average citizen (Did not own land)
Monarchy: Single ruler; king or queen
Oligarchy: Rule by a small group (2 or more)
Aristocracy: Nobility; land owners
Tyranny: Tyrant


Athens was the first city-state of Ancient Greece to give the people the right to rule (democracy).
Where as Sparta built a military state.

How each Greek city state was set up:
1. Aristocracy- land owning class of people (3-5%)
2. Demo's- average citizen
3. "hoplites"- soldiers= Sparta
4. Slave class

GUIDED READING Warring City-States 

Section 2 

2090 

ASOS 

A. Analyzing Causes and Recognizing Effects As you read about the growth of Greek city 

states, answer the questions about events in the time line. (Some dates are approximate.) 

725 B.C. Sparta conquers Messenia. 

1. How did Sparta treat the Messenians? 

They made them give up half of the helots crops every year.

2. What type of society did Sparta create in response 

to the revolt? 

They created a strong military and city-state

650 B.C. 

Spartans put down a revolt - by Messenians. 

3. How did Athenians avoid major political upheavals? 

By making a democracy where people hold the power.

621 B.C. 

Draco writes the first legal code. 

4. What economic and political reforms did Solon 

initiate? 

Criminals were brought to justice.

594 B.C. 

Athenian aristocrats choose Solon to govern. 

5. What steps did Cleisthenes take to create a limited 

democracy in Athens? 

COM 

Women had no social status and only people that could vote were men. But there were regulations on what men could vote.

500 B.C. 

Cleisthenes introduces political reforms in Athens. 

6. What advantages did the Greek soldiers have 

over the Persians? 

They were more educated and new the land more. They also had smart battle skills.

490 B.C. 

Athenians defeat Persians in battle at Marathon. Greeks defeat remaining Persian army. 

479 B.C. 

7. What were the consequences of the Persian Wars? 

 Greek city-states felt more confident. Athens used lot's of it's power.

Chapter 5 Section 2 Assessment TERMS & NAMES 1. For each term or name, write a sentence explaining its significance.  • polis- Was the fundamental political unit of Ancient Greece  • acropolis- Citizens gathered here to discuss city government   • monarchy- A king or queen ruled the people • aristocracy - Rule by a small group of noble, land owning people. Often gained power by serving in kings military. • oligarchy - When the power was shared with nobility. • tyrant - Looked upon as leaders. Not considered harsh and cruel. • democracy- Athenian citizens participated directly in political decision making. • helot- Peasants were forced to stay on the land that they worked. • phalanx- The formation of the most powerful fighting force in the Ancient world • Persian Wars- The battle between the Persian Empire and Greece. USING YOUR NOTES 2. Which of the events on your time line do you think was the most important for life today? Explain. The Persian war when the Athenians beat the Persians on the sea. MAIN IDEAS 3. How does an aristocracy differ from an oligarchy? Oligarchy is generic while aristocracy is given to the people ruling. 4. What contributions did Solon and Cleisthenes make to the development of Athenian democracy? They created crime and punishment. 5. How did Athens benefit from victory in the Persian Wars? They became stronger with more power.