Ancient Rome & the Rise of Christianity (509 BCE – 476 CE)

Ancient Rome & the Rise of Christianity (509 BCE – 476 CE) Mr. Young Kennedy Charter Public School

Ancient Greek Events 490-479 BC: Persian Wars 460 BC: Age of Pericles in Athens 431 BC: Peloponnesian Wars 331 BC: Alexander the Great conquers Persian Empire: Hellenistic Age 133 BC: end of Greek dominance in Med. world Ancient Rome Events 509 BC: Rome sets up a Republic 450 BC: 12 Tables of Law 270 BC: Rome controls most of Italian peninsula 264-146 BC: Punic Wars vs. Carthage 133 BC: Roman power extends from Spain to Egypt Parallel Events (Greece vs. Rome)

Rome as a Kingdom – First 200 Years • Geography and People of Italy • Rome began as a small city-state located in the center of the Italian peninsula near 7 hills. • Apennine mountains run the length of Italy • Less rugged than Greek mountains • Italy much easier to unify --- no isolated city-states • Most Romans settled in the west • Fertile plains in the north below the Alps

The 7 Hills

Early Roman People • Latins: ancestors of the Romans • Herders and farmers: settled along the Tiber River along the 7 hills • Etruscans: ruled central and northern Italy • Came from Asia Minor(Eastern Mediterranean) • Called themselves Tyrrhenians in honor of their king • Romans borrowed Etruscan alphabet, arch and worshipped similar gods/goddesses • Greeks: settled in southern Italy/Sicily

Etruscan Origins • 1828 AD: a plowman and his oxen crashed through a buried stone roof of a tomb • Knowledge of the Etruscan way of life comes from their death • Kept the ashes of their dead in urns • Loved games: chariot races, wrestling, boxing, discus, dice, handball, & knucklebones

Rome as a Republic – 500 Years • Romans drove out Etruscan rulers around 509 BC • Set up a Republic (govt. of the people) • Senate: most powerful governing body made up of 300 patricians (landholding upper class): served for life

Roman Senate • 2 consuls elected from the patrician class • Job was to consult with the Senate, supervise business of the govt. and command the armies • Consuls served 1 year term • In times of war: Senate chose a dictator to rule for 6 months

Plebeians Demand Equality • Plebeians (commoners): farmers, merchants, artisans, traders • Made efforts to gain power • 450 BC: 12 Tables of Law set up in the Forum --- made it possible for plebeians to appeal decision of a judge • Later gained right to elect tribunes (10) to protect their interests • Tribunes could veto (block) laws that weren’t in the interest of the common people

Family: basic unit of society Male head of household (usually father) had absolute power Enforced discipline Demanded respect Women: played larger role than Greek women Could run businesses, attend baths, theater and public entertainment – supported arts and public festivals Most worked at home, however! Roman Society

Education • Girls and boys learned to read and write • Wealthy Romans hired private tutors (from Greece) to supervise education of children • Rhetoric was important subject for boys who wanted to pursue political success

Religion • Gods/goddesses resembled Greek and Etruscan deities • Statues and temples built throughout Rome • Festivals honored the deities • http://www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/roman/ • http://www.messagenet.com/myths/names.html

Roman Expansion • During the Roman Republic period, Rome expanded. • First Punic War:- Began in 264 BCE- Fought against Carthage – powerful city in North Africa – challenged Roman trade superiority in the Mediterranean- After 23 years of war, Rome is victorious.

Roman Expansion (continued) • Second Punic War:- Began in 218 BCE- Fought for similar reasons (plus revenge)- Carthage was led by greatest general of the age, Hannibal, whose army was large including foot & horse soldiers, and ELEPHANTS!- Hannibal attacked the Roman countryside and the Romans countered by attacking Carthage – led by brilliant Roman General Scipio- Scipio defeated Hannibal and Rome again was victorious.

Hannibal crossing the Alps

Roman Expansion around 100 BCE

Rome as an Empire – 500 Years • It became difficult to manage all the conquered territories and the Republic-style government weakened. • Consul’s became power hungry and changed the power system to dictatorships:- Gaius Marius- Lucius Cornelius Sulla

Julius Caesar Nephew of Sulla Was a General who rose in popularity Joined the “Triumvirate” which was rule by three Elected Consul in 59 BCE Declared himself “Dictator for life” in 46 BCE Was brutally murdered in a conspiracy led by his best friend, Brutus, on March 15 “Beware the Ides of March”

Caesar Augustus • Several dictator-like rulers followed:- Octavian or Caesar Augustus – “the revered one”- Pax Romana – Roman Peace – peaceful era under Augustus

Rise of Christianity • Several leaders followed Augustus – Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian. • Roman expansion during this time included Israel and the Jewish people. • Came into contact with a young carpenter named Jesus Christ • His followers were called Christians • Many Romans converted to his monotheistic belief system • After initially persecuting Christians (Nero), Theodosius officially made Christianity the religion of Rome in 312 CE

Ancient Rome & the Rise of Christianity (509 BCE – 476 CE)