The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

1. The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

2. The Pre-Roman World

4. Italy’s Geography The Founding of Rome • Peninsula logical place for emergence of mighty empire • Juts south from Europe far into Mediterranean Sea • Lies almost halfway between eastern, western boundaries of the sea • Protected by mountains, sea • Rich soil, mild climate • Legend: Romulus and Remus, twin brothers raised by she-wolf; founded city 753 BC • Members of Indo-European tribe, Latins, reached Italy 1000s BC; built Rome • City prospered partly from location on Tiber River • Valuable trade routes, easy access to sea Roman Civilization Develops “All roads lead to Rome.” “Rome was not built in a day.” “When in Rome . . .” How did Rome win such a place in modern popular culture?

5. The Etruscans • Rome first ruled by Latin Kings • Came under Etruscan rule, 600 BC • Etruscans came from northern Italy • Evidence found at cemeteries indicates Etruscans great metalworkers, jewelers • Etruscan culture heavily influenced by Greeks • Etruscans had great influence on Roman society

7. Legendary Rome • Romulus founds Rome 753 BCE • A legend • Romulus probably named for Rome • “Rome” may come from a word for “river” • Seven Kings • Tarquinius Superbus deposed • Republic founded 509 BCE

8. Romulusand Remus

9. What was the Roman Empire? • There were two periods of Roman government. • Roman Republic • 509 BCE-30 BCE • Roman Empire • 30 BCE-476 CE • Rome technically had an “empire” under the Roman Republic. • But the term “Roman Empire” refers to the time period, beginning with Augustus, when Rome was ruled by emperors.

10. The Roman Republic

11. Rome Expands

12. Rome Becomes a Republic • Etruscan Rule Ends • Etruscans ruled Rome until about 509 BC • Romans revolted, threw out last of kings, setup new type of government • Republic—elected officials governed state • Patricians • In early days, heads of a few aristocratic families, patricians, elected officials • Patrician families controlled all society—politics, religion, economics, military • Maintained power through patronage system • Plebeians • From beginning, common people, plebeians, challenged patricians for power • Invaders threatened 494 BC; plebeians refused to fight until changes made • Patricians knew they would have no army, expanded plebeian rights

13. Roman Republic(509-27 BCE) • People elect representatives • Senate – Roman representative body • Made laws • Only citizens get vote!

15. Law & Citizenship • 12 Tables – Roman Law Code • Equal treatment under law (male citizens) • Innocent until proven guilty • Rights & Responsibilities of Citizenship

16. Plebeian Council • After receiving new rights, plebeians formed own assembly, Plebeian Council, to oversee affairs and protect interests • Gained right to elect officials known as tribunes • Tribunes’ job—protect against unjust treatment by patrician officials • Gained right to veto—ban laws that seemed harmful, unjust • Laws • 450 BC, plebeians forced patricians to have all laws written down • Laws displayed in Roman Forum, central square, on 12 large bronze tablets • Because laws were posted, patrician judges could not make decisions based on own opinions or secret laws • One new law banned marriage between patricians and plebeians

17. Elements of Government New Offices and Institutions • Senate: 300 members, advised elected officials, controlled public finances, handled all foreign relations • Popular assemblies: in these all citizens voted on laws, elected officials • Magistrates: governed in name of Senate and people, put laws into practice, acted as priests • Patricians, plebeians worked out practical constitution • Created new offices of government • Consisted of three parts: Senate, popular assemblies, magistrates • Initially dominated by patricians; all state offices later open to both patricians, plebeians Republican Government

18. Governing Details • Consuls • When last king thrown out, his place taken by two magistrates called consuls • Elected for one year; chief executives, army commanders • Censors • Next most important after consuls • Recorded wealth, residence of population • Filled vacancies in Senate • Praetors • Primarily judges, could act for consuls if consuls away at war • After terms ended, given military commands, appointed provisional governors • Constraints • Government worked well because of system of checks, balances • Each part could impose certain constraints on others

20. Location Political Center Busy Place • Nestled between two hills: Palatine, Capitoline • Palatine, where wealthy lived • Capitoline, where grandest temples were • City leaders often found in Forum mingling with common people • Senate met in Forum • Key public addresses made there • Forum more than just political center • Popular place for shopping, gossip • Busy shops lined either side of Forum • Public celebrations usually held there Life in the Republic During the days of the Roman Republic, Rome was a thriving and vibrant city. At its heart was the Forum, the public square and site of the most important government buildings and temples.

21. Legend of Early Republic Return to Farm • Roman tie to land illustrated in legend of early Republic • Romans turned to greatest general, Cincinnatus, to save them from invasion • Cincinnatus plowing fields at the time • People made Cincinnatus dictator • Office of dictator had nearly unlimited power but could be held for only six months • Cincinnatus defeated enemies and returned to farm • Had no interest in retaining power Agrarian Roots • Despite bustling nature of city, Romans prided themselves on connection with soil • Farming, landownership the noblest ways to make money • Senators forbidden to participate in any career that did not involve land, could not engage in commerce

22. Social Structure • Patricians – Roman Aristocracy • Originally the whole Senate • Plebeians – Roman Commoner • Right to vote, begin gaining gov’t positions

23. Education and Religion Patriarchal Structure • Upper class Romans placed great value on education • Parents taught children at home; wealthy families hired tutors or sent sons to exclusive schools to learn Latin, Greek, law, math, public speaking • Romans adopted much from Greek mythology, also from Egyptians, others • Each family worshipped local household gods, penates • Many worshipped emperor • Head of family—paterfamilias, family father—oldest living male • Had extensive powers over other members of family • Within family structure, virtues of simplicity, religious devotion, obedience emphasized • Adoption important in Roman society, a way to ensure family name would be carried on • Women could do little without intervention of male guardian, more freedom in lower classes Family

24. Social Structure • Women • Had no rights  legally equal to minor • Practically often have power within home as wives & mothers • Paterfamilias – male head of household, complete control • Legal & practical role as leader

25. Practical Knowledge • Romans practical, tried to apply knowledge gained from science to planning cities, building water, sewage systems, improving farming • Roman engineers constructed roads, bridges, amphitheaters, public buildings, aqueducts to bring water to cities • Without aqueducts, cities would not have grown as large • Concrete • Romans developed concrete, with which they built amazing structures that still stand today • Roman bridges still span French, German, Spanish rivers • Roads that connected Rome with provinces still survive today • Added urban plan to every city they conquered; many still seen today

26. Hannibal Scipio • Violence soon broke out again • 218 BC, Carthaginian general Hannibal led army across Pyrenees, Alps to invade Italy • Hannibal ravaged Italy, defeated every army he faced • Romans needed new strategy • Romans decided to take war to Africa • General Publius Cornelius Scipio sailed to Africa, besieged Carthage • Forced Hannibal to sail home • Scipio defeated Hannibal, took Carthage, won Second Punic War The Punic Wars Violence between Rome and Carthage broke out in 264 BC. Because the First Punic War was fought mostly at sea, Carthage’s powerful navy dominated the early fighting. Soon, however, the Romans built a navy of their own and were able to defeat Carthage. The Romans had defeated Carthage, but it did not destroy the city as many citizens had wanted.

27. War With Carthage • 264-241 BCE: Rome wins control of Sicily • 238 BCE Rome takes advantage of revolt in Carthage to seize Sardinia • 218-201 BCE: Hannibal invades Italy, but Carthage loses Spain and N. Africa to Rome • 149-146 BCE: Alarmed by Carthage’s recovery, Rome launches a final war to destroy Carthage

28. Carthage Falls Huge losses of Second Punic War remained in memories of many Romans • 149 BC Rome decided to destroy old enemy once and for all • Declared war on Carthage for third time • After siege of three years, Carthage fell • Romans enslaved entire population, completely destroyed city • They banned any people from living there

29. Rome Expands After Carthage

30. Many-Front War

31. Macedonia, Persia Greek Culture • Romans, Greek allies fought, and defeated Macedonia, Persia • Both became Roman provinces • Eventually Romans annexed Greece as province as well • Romans adopted many elements of Greek culture, particularly art • Romans also borrowed ideas of religion from Greeks, adopted their gods but changed the names • Not all Romans happy with growing Greek influence, thought Rome should remain purely Roman • Influence continued for many years The Conquest of Greece • Punic Wars raged in western republic; Rome involved in politics of eastern Mediterranean • Hellenistic kingdoms of Macedonia, Persia, and Egypt fought constantly; Greek city-states feared being conquered • City-states sought alliance with Rome

32. Social Unrest Soldier-Farmers Public Land • Revolution began in political, social institutions • Tensions grew between classes of Roman society • Gracchi brothers tried to resolve tension • Tribune Tiberius Gracchus noted mistreatment of soldier-farmers • Many reduced to poverty • Tiberius, brother Gaius tried to help soldiers • Gracchi tried to redistribute public land to farmers • Had public support, but Senate feared Gracchi trying to reduce its power • Senate urged mobs to kill brothers Problems in the Late Republic By the mid-100s BC, Rome had no rival anywhere in the Mediterranean world. However, the responsibilities of running their vast holdings stretched the Roman political system to its limits.

33. The Republic Crumbles • Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus try but fail to implement social reforms (land reform)130-122 BCE • Social War 91–88 BCE: Rest of Italy tries to secede from Rome • Civil War 87-81 BCE, followed by purge by Lucius Sulla • Catilina 63-62 BCE: Failed coup • First Triumvirate 60-53 BCE: Caesar, Pompey, Crassus

34. End of the Republic • When did it end? • 49 BCE General Julius Caesar “Crosses the Rubicon” for armed march into Rome • 44 BCE Julius elected “dictator for life” • Assassinated month+ later • 31 BCE Battle of Actium Octavius’ victory in Civil War over Marc Antony & Cleopatra • 27 BCE Senate naming Octavius emperor & becoming Augustus Most Common

35. Julius Caesar • Born 100 BCE • Consul 60 BCE • First Triumvirate 60-53 BCE: Caesar, Pompey, Crassus • Conquest of Gaul 58-49 BCE • Attempted invasion of Britain 55 BCE • 50 BCE: Caesar-Pompey alliance breaks up • 50-45 BCE: Civil War; Caesar wins • 44 BCE: Assassinated

36. The Roman Empire

37. The First Triumvirate End of Triumvirate • Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompey, Licinius Crassus helped bring end to Republic • Caesar, Pompey successful military commanders • Crassus one of wealthiest people in Rome • 60 BC, the three took over Roman state, ruled as First Triumvirate • Crassus died; Pompey, Caesar fought civil war • Caesar defeated Pompey, took full control of Rome, became dictator for life, 44 BC • Caesar brought many changes to Rome, popular reforms • Senate feared he would destroy Roman Republic, murdered him, Ides of March Rome Becomes an Empire Sulla paved the way for major changes in Rome’s government. The end of the Republic resulted from the ambitions of a few individuals.

38. Rome Under Caesar

39. The Second Triumvirate • Caesar’s murder did not save the Republic • 43 BC, Second Triumvirate took power—Caesar’s adopted son, Octavian; loyal officer Marc Antony; high priest Lepidus • Lepidus pushed aside; Antony, Octavian agreed to govern half the empire each, Octavian in west, Antony in East • Civil War • Civil war between Octavian, Antony broke out • Octavian defeated Antony and his ally, Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra • Cleopatra, Antony committed suicide; Octavian alone controlled Rome • Republic effectively dead; new period in Roman history beginning

40. Life for the Rich Public Life • Pax Romana provided prosperity for many • Rich citizens • Had both city, country homes • Homes had conveniences like running water, baths • Wealthy men spent much time in politics • Public officials not paid; only wealthy could afford to hold office • Roman politicians worked to perfect public-speaking skills • Ties of marriage, friendship, family alliances as important as common interests for public officials, political groups Life in Imperial Rome Images of Rome from movies and stories: Gladiators in combat, temples of marble, soldiers marching to war. What was life really like?

41. Life for the Poor • Nearly 1 million Romans lived in crowded three- or four-story apartment buildings • Fire a constant threat • Torches used for light • Charcoal used for cooking • To keep poor from rebelling • Free food, public entertainment offered • Two things interested public—bread, circuses

42. Public Entertainment • Entertainments • Romans of all classes enjoyed circus, chariot races • Held in Circus Maximus—racetrack could hold 250,000 spectators • Also liked theater, mimes, jugglers, dancers, acrobats, clowns • Bloody Spectacles • Romans enjoyed spectacles in amphitheaters • Wild animals battled each other and professional fighters • Gladiator contests most popular, performed in Colosseum for 50,000 people • Public Baths • Popular places for entertainment • Romans well aware of importance of bathing, hygiene for health • Many public baths had steam rooms, meeting rooms, and pools for socializing

43. Octavian Becomes Augustus • Octavian becomes Caesar after Julius is assassinated. • Octavian was sole ruler of Rome after his forces defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium • The Senate gave him the name “Augustus,” meaning “most high” • 23 BCE – Octavian, now referred to as Augustus, was made consul for life by the Senate • Also made “Princeps,” meaning “first citizen” • Origin of the word “prince” • Also made “Imperator,” meaning “successful general” • Origin of the word “emperor” • Also made “Pontifex Maximus,” or “chief religious leader • Origin of the word “pontiff” (used to describe the pope today) • Also made a tribune • He had the power to call the Senate, veto the Senate’s laws, and make laws himself

44. Primus inter pares • “First among equals” • Augustus and later emperors tried to maintain the façade that they were elected officials rather than dictators • Being “first among equals” gave the illusion that an emperor was the most prestigious and important member of the Roman Senate, but that each senator was simultaneously equally important • In reality, the Roman emperors ruled with little input from anyone else

45. Rome Expands

46. Rome Expands

47. Rome Expands

48. The Augustan Age • New Imperial Government • Augustus head of state more than 40 years, made smooth transition to new imperial government with power divided between him and Senate • Most financial, administrative matters under Augustus’s control • Foreign Affairs • Started program to bring peace to west, particularly to Gaul, Spain • Began series of conquests that pushed border eastward to Danube River • Also took special care of Rome itself • Legacy • Created police force, fire brigades; stockpiled food, water • Began building program; presided over moral, religious reforms • Great period of cultural creativity; great writers like Horace, Ovid, Virgil

49. Rome under Augustus:A Golden Age