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Ancient Rome had enormous influence on the development of Western civilization. Latin, the language of the ancient Romans, became the basis of French, Italian, Spanish, and the other Romance languages. Roman law provided the foundation for the legal systems of most of the countries in Western Europe and Latin America. Roman roads, bridges, and aqueducts are still modeled after Roman architecture today.
Geography of Ancient Rome • Italian Peninsula is part of the European continent. • Island to the west of the “toe” is called Sicily. • Sicily was a very popular destination for ancient colonists due to its rich farmland.
Italian Mountains The ALPS are Europe’s highest mountain range. The Alps separate the Italian Peninsula from the rest of Europe The APPENINE Mountains are the “spine” of the peninsula. The Apennines are very high, making travel difficult and they lack fertile soil so there is more sheep herding than farming on the mountainsides.
Latium Plain • Along the west coast of central Italy is one important plain called the Latium Plain. • The Tiber River runs through the center of the Latium Plain. Eventually, a great city called Rome would arise on this the plain along the Tiber River.
City of 7 Hills • As Rome developed. It expanded across 7 hills, helping to protect the city from attack. • The Tiber River made a good highway for travel between the mountains and the Mediterranean coast. • Important crops were: wheat, beans, cabbage, lettuce, figs and other fruits • The most important were the grapes they raised for the wine they made. Grapevines grow best in rocky soil, and Italy had plenty of that. Wine became one of the peninsula’s most valued trade good.
Romulus and Remus – Legend 1 • The origins of Rome are steeped in myth and legend. Many ancient Romans believed twin boys named Romulus and Remus founded the city. A king feared the twins would rob him of his throne, so he tossed them into the frigid Tiber River. Soon after, the brothers were rescued by a she-wolf who nursed them back to health. • Romulus and Remus decided to establish a city on the Tiber River, but the brothers could not agree on a location. Signs from the heavens decreed that each brother would build a city, but Romulus’ city would be much larger. Romulus completed his city on April 21, 753BC. Remus was upset that Romulus had built his city, so he climbed over the wall. The enraged Romulus killed his brother with an ax. The city came to be known as Rome, named for its legendary founder.
Romulus and Remus – Legend 2 Rhea was married to Mars, the Roman god of war. Rhea had twin sons. She loved her boys, but there were plots afoot by other gods and goddesses to harm her father, herself, her husband, and her children. To protect the boys, she set them adrift on the river, hoping someone would find them. Who would not love such beautiful boys? Sure enough, first they were found by a she-wolf who fed them. Then a shepherd and his wife adopted the boys. As the twins grew older, they decided they did not want to take care of sheep. They wanted to be kings. They decided to build a city on the shores of the Tiber. They both wanted to be the only king. They quarreled. In a fit of rage, Romulus picked up a rock, killed his brother, and made himself king.
A NEW GOVERNMENT • After the plebians protested that the patricians had too much power, both sides agreed to work together to improve Rome’s government. The new government was called a republic. • What is a republic?
The Roman Republic(509 B.C. – 27 B.C.) • 509 B.C., Romans rejected Etruscan king (monarchy) and established a republic. • Power rests with the citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders. • In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was granted only to free-born male citizens.
The Roman Republic • Society was divided into 2 parts 1. Those who were citizens 2.Those who were NOT (Women and Slaves) • Citizens were divided into 2 groups 1. Patricians (2-4%) 2. Plebeians (96-98%)
The Roman Republic(509 B.C. – 27 B.C.) STRUGGLE FOR POWER: CLASS CONFLICT • Patricians-wealthy landowners who held most of the power: inherited power and social status • Plebeians-(Plebs) common farmers, artisans and merchants who made up the majority of the population: can vote, but can’t rule • Tribunes- elected representatives who protect plebeians’ political rights.
The Roman Republic had 3 branches of government • The oldest and most powerful branch is the Senate controlled by the patricians • The Plebians formed the citizens assembly who elected tribunes, they worked to gain rights for the plebians of Rome. • The third branch of government was the consuls. The consuls were elected by the citizens assembly. They were the city’s most powerful judges.
A “Balanced” Government • Rome elects two consuls– one to lead army, one to direct government • Senate- chosen from patricians(Roman upper class), make foreign and domestic policy • Popular assemblieselect tribunes, make laws for plebeians (commoners) • Dictators- leaders appointed briefly in times of crisis (appt. by consuls and senate)
Twelve Tables • Since the plebians protested the unfairness of Rome’s unwritten laws, the patricians agreed to write a collection of laws on twelve wooden tablets, or tables. These became known as the Twelve tables.
THE TWELVE TABLES • 451 B.C., officials carve Roman laws on twelve tablets and hung in Forum. • Laws confirm right of all free citizens to protection of the law • Become the basis for later Roman law
The Forum was a clearing in Rome that was the center of life-shopping, debate, & trials.
The Roman Army • All citizens were required to serve • Army was powerful: • Organization & fighting skill • Legion- military unit of 5,000 infantry (foot soldiers) supported by cavalry (horseback)
Rome Spreads its Power • Romans defeat Etruscans in north and Greek city-states in south • Treatment of Conquered: • Forge alliances • Offer citizenship • By 265 B.C., Rome controls Italian peninsula
Punic Wars(264-146 B.C.) • Three Wars between Rome and Carthage • 1st Punic War- Rome gains control of Sicily & western Mediterranean Sea.
Punic Wars(264-146 B.C.) • 2nd Punic War- Carthaginian General Hannibal’s “surprise” attack through Spain & France • 60,000 soldiers and 60 elephants • Romans experience severe losses, but eventually fought off attacks & invade North Africa
Hannibal's troops crossing the Alps on their way to attack northern Italy. Hannibal's troops crossing the Rhone River on their way to attack northern Italy.
Punic Wars(264-146 B.C.) • 3rd Punic War- Rome seizes Carthage • Scipio- Roman Strategist • Conquered people sold into slavery
Roman Legacies Government -Republic Architecture - great skill - engineers and architects - roads, cities • Concrete • Arch • Aqueduct
Roman Aqueduct The Greek word for water was “aqua”
Roman Roads“All roads led to Rome” According to the Roman system, a gilded pillar was placed by the Emperor Augustus in the Forum Romanum to mark the beginning point of the vast network of Roads that extended out throughout the whole Empire. Milestones were to mark every mile from the Eternal City.
Roman Milestone Marker The Roman road system spanned 52,819 miles and contained about 372 links. The Romans became adept at constructing roads which they called viae, for military, commercial, and political reasons,. They were always intended primarily as carriage roads, the means of carrying material from one location to another. These long highways were very important in maintaining both the stability and expansion of the empire.
Religion In Ancient Rome religion was very important to the people. As part of their daily routine they would honor their gods and goddesses, sometimes with offerings or sacrifices. There were public temples to gods and goddesses all over the Roman Empire and every home had a shrine or room dedicated to the gods. Christianity was first followed mostly by slaves and the poor in Ancient Rome Believers in Christ, were persecuted because they refused to acknowledge any other God than their own. Christians were persecuted until the time of the Emperor Constantine, in the 4th Century, who himself converted to Christianity.
Christianity • Jesus of Nazareth • teacher, prophet, revolutionary • the Jesus Movement • Paul of Tarsus • cultural mixture: Jewish and Greek • founder of Christianity • the poor, women, children, slaves • no success among men, the educated, etc. • disappearance of Jewish followers: 70 A.D.
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