Early Rome

Libertyville HS

Geography of Rome• Central Italy is close to

Mediterranean (18 miles away) & ancient Middle Eastern world

• Also central to Italy, with water access

• Good soil• Protected to north by

Apenine Mountains• Rome built on seven

hills• Tiber River close by

Founding of Rome• Mythical founding:

Romulus and Remus

• Historical founding– Latins one of

several tribes of shepherds, farmers living on fortified hillltops

– Hilltop tribes gradually merged with one another

Early Roman Government• “Direct democracy with

a twist”– Elected king– Senate

• Advised the king• Generally older, wiser

members of community• 200 members

– General Assembly (Comita Curia)• All men capable of fighting• Elected their king• Passed laws, gave king

power• Ratified treaties, declared

war

Early Roman Religion

• Ancestral gods• Jupiter and Mars

also important, major gods

• Many other gods– Harvest– Family– Fertility

Early Roman Culture

Patricians• Aristocracy• Earliest inhabitants of

3 biggest hills (Palatine, Capitoline, and Quirnal)

• Most prominent citizens

• Only their descendants could hold office in Senate

• Also controlled assembly

Plebians• Non-original

inhabitants of Rome• Refugees from other

areas• Brought to Rome by

military conquest, seeking opportunity

• No political power, in Rome

Characteristics of Roman People

• Uncertainty of Rome’s early existence made them tough, practical

• Warfare was a regular, necessary part of life

• Expanded through both conquest and colonization

Foreign Rule (600 to 510 BC)• Etruscans were

Rome’s neighbors to the North– Ancient civilization– Most powerful in

Italy• Three Etruscan

Kings (Tarquin Dynasty) ruled Rome for about 85 years

Foreign Rule• Benefits of Etruscan

Rule– Instituted building

programs and improvements to Rome

– Organized army– Also made a more

efficient tax system– Didn’t change the

nature of the Romans, but made them more proud

Foreign Rule• Overthrow of

Etruscan Dynasty– Last king was cruel,

ruling without regard to Senate, Curia

– “Rape of Lucretia” (senator’s daughter)

– Family and he were thrown out of Rome

– Attempted to conquer Rome with Etruscan troops, but failed