ROMEUnit 5

Ancient Roman EmpirePicture on pg. 197

Ancient Roman Land• 3 x as large as the homeland of ancient Greece

• Shaped like a boot, the peninsula juts approximately 960 km out into the Mediterranean Sea and averages

160 KM in width• Despite 3,200 KM of coastline, good harbours were

harder to find then Ancient Greece• Despite the few good Harbours, trade up and down

the coast across the Mediterranean was lively• Romans were strategically located in the centre of

the Mediterannean region, and could reach the Middle East, Greece, Spain, and North Africa easily

• Most of the Italian peninsula is either hilly, or mountainous, which made overland travel and

communication difficult• The Alps, the range in the North, helped to protect Rome from invasion, although mountain

passes allowed people to cross into Europe• In contrast to the high peaks in Greece, however,

the rugged Italian landscape did not prevent the Romans from unifying under a single ruler and

creating a large empire

Ancient Roman Land

• Fertile land was located in 3 main areas:1) The great Northern plain, which was enriched by the

fertile deposits from the Po river2 & 3) Plains of Latium and Campania, which were both located on the West coast…Both were small areas, but their soil was enriched by phosphate from volcanoes,

which were active until about 1,000 BCE• Rome was more productive agriculturally then

Greece, but like the Greeks, still had to find colonies to supplement their food supply

Ancient Roman Land

3 Main Rivers• They were the Po, the Arno, and the Tiber

• The Po emptied into the Adriatic Sea to the east• The Arno and Tiber flowed into the Tyrrhenian Sea

to the West• The Tiber river was particularly important

because the city of Rome developed on its banks, 24 km upstream from the Sea

• Rome came to control trade on the river and throughout the Mediterranean

The Weather• Most of the Italian peninsula enjoys a Mediterranean climate with rainy winters

and hot, dry summers• The river valley of Po, however, has a continental climate with moderate winter with snow, summer rain, and a wet spring

and fall• The weather on the Peninsula suited the

production of wheat, olives, and grapes very well

Roman Resources• Among the resources available to the ancient

Romans was building stone, including workable yellowish limestone found around Rome

• After 1st century BCE , the Romans used Marble from Carrara, although it was more difficult to

work with• They also mixed a volcanic dust with water to

make a type of concrete, which became an essential building material

• They had mineral deposits such as Copper from Tuscany, and Iron from the Island of Elba

• The heavily wooded Apennine slopes provided the timber needed for building ships

Rome & The Etruscans• About 1,200 BCE Indo-European settlers, who

spoke a language that would later develop into Latin, began arriving in the Italian peninsula

• They settled in small, scattered villages on the central plains, took up farming, and began

trading with their neighbours• Because the Tiber river interrupted one major

trade route, they constructed a bridge, to allow passage, at a spot where the river narrowed

• Villages sprang up near the bridge, and by about 800 BCE these villages had grown into a town on the slopes of Palatine and Capitoline Hills – The

town was ROME!

Rome & The Etruscans• As the Latin's established their communities, two

other influential groups occupied the Italian peninsula – The Greeks and the Etruscans

• Greek colonization lasted from 750-500 BCE• The towns grew into prosperous city-states, and

Greek culture in the colonies flourished• The cities became centers of learning, trade, and

commerce• Greek presence would have a profound influence

on Roman culture

Rome & The Etruscans• The Etruscans occupied the plain just north of

Rome in the region called Etruria• Historians are not certain where these people originated, they may have come from Asia Minor or they may have been native to the peninsula

• By 800 BCE they had established a number of city-states ruled by kings, and had developed a

highly sophisticated society• As they gained power they expanded their

territory and advanced south towards Rome

Rome & The Etruscans• The Roman military organization was no

match for the sophisticated Etruscan armies

• The difference was the Etruscans enforced compulsory military service and training,

their troops were organized and experienced…The Romans were the

opposite• In about 600 BCE, the better trained Etruscan soldiers overpowered those of

Rome

Rome & The Etruscans• The Etruscan family called Tarquin ruled Rome until 509 BCE, when rivalries within the family weakened the power of the king• The last Etruscan ruler was Tarquin the

proud, an oppressive king who opposed the wishes of the people and scorned

religion• In a popular uprising, the Romans

overthrew Tarquin the proud and declared their independence

Etruscan Influences• The period of Etruscan control lasted almost 100

years, and had a major influence on the development of Rome• They created:

- The first city walls- Archways

- The Alphabet- Gladiator games- Chariot races

- Roads- Mandatory military service

Video on the Etruscans

1) What did the Greeks find when they sailed into Italy?_______________________________________________________

2) What 3 things lay under ground that made the Etruscans wealthy?

_____________ _____________ _____________

3) There were smelters and slag heaps so vast that they were reprocessed and used in what war?

____________________________________

4) The Etruscans’ traded their metal as far away as what 3 current countries?

_____________ _____________ _____________

Video on the Etruscans

5) Above all, the Etruscans were famous for their _________ displays of affection between _________ and

____________.6)

Social Structure• There were 3 classes

1) Patricians – 5%, held most of the political power, were wealthy land owners, had beautiful homes, had servants, owned the land and paid no taxes2) Plebeians – 95%, working class (artisans, farmers, traders), could vote but not hold office,

paid all taxes, supported by upper class3) Slaves – Mostly prisoners of war, not citizens, no

rights

Governement• Rome developed a form of representative democracy, called a republic, where citizens

elected leaders

2 Consuls (both Patricians)

- In state of emergency 1 Consul could become dictator for up to 6 months

Senate(300 Patricians)

Could VETO (over rule or say no) decisions of assembly

Assembly(elected Plebeians)Wanted more power

The Republic of Rome• The Roman republic lasted for almost 500 years,

and during this time Rome became the leading power in the Mediterranean

• The Romans spent much of their early history defending it’s land against the envious, Etruscan

city-states• Ultimately, the Romans decided to take the

offensive• They soon discovered that several small states in

the peninsula were wiling to help them fight their aggressive neighbours

The Republic of Rome• As the Romans changed their ideas about defense

(bottom of left column, pg 203) and they significantly modified their military organization

• Since the population had grown so large, not every adult male had to serve in the military

• All citizens who owned land (farmers & nobles) had to undergo training and serve in the army

• A system of pay was also introduced (not much) for poorer citizens…This was important because

soldiers had to feed, clothe, and arm themselves while fighting far from home

The Republic of Rome• The Romans organized their troops into “legions”

of 4000 to 5000 men• They established 4 legions, each subdivided into

smaller units called cohorts or companies• Early in the 5th century BCE, Rome established a

league of Italian Nations and began to fight for control of the Italian peninsula

• By 265 BCE, Rome controlled all of Italy• Following each conquest Rome made allies of its

defeated enemies by adopting a policy of just treatment and leniency

The Republic of Rome• Unlike the Egyptians, Persians, and other

conquerors, the Romans did things to make their defeated members their allies…Things like:- Only taking a portion of their land

- Allowed the defeated to keep their local Government & laws

- They did not take slaves and gave some people limited citizenship rights

• These reasonable measures won Rome the loyalty of the people on the Italian peninsula

The Punic Wars

• Rome’s first territorial interest outside of the Italian peninsula was Africa

• The target was the city of Carhage, a great naval power with outposts on the

Mediterranean Islands of Sicily and Sardinia

The Punic Wars• Rome desired Carthage for 2 reasons

1) Carthage controlled much of Sicily, this Island was rich in wheat which could provide Rome with a

valuable grain2) The navy of Carthage posed a threat to the western coastal plains of Italy, and hindered trade

along the west coast of the Peninsula• Rivalry and suspicion eventually led to 3 lengthy

conflicts called the Punic warsThe Punic Wars

The Effects of the Punic Wars

• Rome now has Empire in North Africa, Spain, Gaul, and all of Italy

• Much of empire felt unified• Senate gained power throughout the wars

• Slaves from conquered lands took jobs of poor labourers and farmers

• New cultures created• Greece supported Carthage, Rome began to focus

on them

• Attempted to revive ancient law limiting the amount of land one could own or

rent and return land to the poor…This

was approved by the assembly, but

thrown out by the senate He and his

followers were murdered.

• Continued efforts of his brother by

reducing the power of the

upper class and the senate

• He and his followers were

murdered.

Gaius Gracchus (153 BCE – 121 BCE)

Tiberius Gracchus (162 BCE-133

BCE)

Sulla (138 BCE-78 BCE)• First army general and politician to seize power

• Refused to step down after 6 month limit• Was ruthless and killed oppositionJulius Caesar (103 BCE-44 BCE)

• Successful army general, and popular with the people• He ruled with 3 people, himself, Pompeii, and Crassus• His reforms were to give grain to the poor, citizenship

to more, and to pay for military service• Became power hungry (dressing in purple gown,

wearing head pieces, and sitting in a thrown)• Was stabbed to death by the members of the senate

Sulla & Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar

• The story of Julius Caesar is one of the more interesting stories of ancient roman history.

• There have been many tv shows and movies based around the time of Julius Caesar of

Ancient Rome.

• Here is more on the story of Julius Caesar

The Roman Empire & Augustus

(31 BCE – 14 BCE)• Following Caesar’s murder his leading supporters,

Mark Antony, and Octavian (Caesar’s nephew), gathered forces to avenge the murder.

• The 2 men executed more then 2000 enemies in Rome and defeated the army of Brutus and Cassius, who both committed suicide following the defeat.

• Octavian and Antony decided they would divide the Roman world.

• The two would eventually be forced to fight each other at Actium in 31 BCE, where Octavian’s naval

forces defeated Antony and his army.• Octavian became the 1st emperor of Rome , assuming

complete power.

The Roman Empire & Augustus

(31 BCE – 14 BCE)

• Octavian was given the title Augustus, which meant “highest one”.

• Although the Romans did not know it at the time, his rule marked the end of the 500-year-old republic – and the beginning of the Roman

Empire.• During Augustus’ 45 years in power he never

forgot the valuable lesson he learned from the fate of Caesar.

• He avoided appearing like a king by keeping role of a citizen.

The Roman Empire & Augustus

(31 BCE – 14 BCE)• Referred to himself as “Pricep”, meaning 1st

citizen rather than the emperor• Tried to keep both classes happy, shared power with the senate, granted citizenship to people from conquered lands, and created a

more fair or unified tax system• Ruled for 40 years, and this time was known

as “Pax Romana” or “Roman Peace”• He established a sense of peace and security

that led to a blossoming of Roman art and culture.

The Praetorian Guard• To protect himself and the empire, Augustus

established a unit called the Praetorian Guard, which were 9 groups of 500 men each.• It essentially acted as a bodyguard for the

emperor and his family.• Members of the guard were given special

treatment by the emperor (paid 3x the pay of a regular military man)

• To avoid any impression of a military dictatorship, he stationed them at various

depots outside of Rome, but the Troops were always at his call.

After Augustus(14 CE – 117 CE)

• Several of the Emperors who followed Augustus were his descendants…The Roman people treated many of

them with hostility, and two of them were notable tyrants.

• Among the most notable were Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero.

• Tiberius ruled Rome from 14 CE to 37 CE and was unpopular due to trying to be economical and spent

little money on public games.• Caligula ruled Rome from 37-41 CE and was spiteful

and even insane.• He ended up getting assassinated by a member of the

Praetorian Guard.• The twisted dark story of Caligula

After Augustus(14 CE – 117 CE)

• Nero ruled from 54 CE to 68 CE and was vain, cruel, and revengeful.

• In 64 CE, a disastrous fire roared through Rome, and many believe that it had been set by Nero

himself.• After the death of Nero, the Senate and the army

began to play a more active role in selecting the emperor, which sometimes lead to wars between

armies.• Between 96 CE and 180 CE Romans handled the

problem of finding a successor by having the current emperor select a “Caesar” or successor,

and train him.

After Augustus(14 CE – 117 CE)

• This era was known as the “five good emperors”, they did a great job keeping the Senate informed,

consulting it regularly, and submitting legislation for its approval.

• Trajan, the 2nd of the Emperors was the 1st Roman emperor not to be of Italian origin.

• He was popular with the Senate because he sent them reports and waited for approval before he

signed any treaties.• He was popular with the general public because he

greatly increased Rome’s wealth through military conquest, and spent large sums on building temples

and public baths.

After Augustus(14 CE – 117 CE)

• Trajan was also popular with the Army because of his extensive and successful military campaigns.

• During his reign, the boundaries of the Roman Empire reached their greatest territorial extent.

• The empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Caspian Sea, and from Britain to Egypt (Map of pg. 214)

• The efforts of “the 5 good emperors” resulted in almost a century of stability.

• For the most part, Europe and most of the Mediterranean enjoyed peace.

• Latin became the common language throughout the empire.

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

• The decline of Rome began in the 2nd century CE (100 CE) when enemies to the north and east began

crossing the borders into Roman territory.• Since the invasion threatened several different

border regions at one time it was too difficult to hold back the invasion.

• From the East was the Parthians, an Iranian people who controlled much of the Persian empire.

• The Parthians never succeeded in invading Rome, but after they were taken over by the Sassanians, they began to impose a much larger threat against the Romans, especially at a time when Rome was

experiencing other internal problems.

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

• By the time Diocletian came into power in 285 CE, many parts of the empire were in revolt.

• After failing to suppress uprisings in Britain and Gaul Diocletian decided to divide the Roman empire…He chose to lead the Eastern half, and gave Maximian

the western half.• Each emperor, to be called “Augustus”, was to rule for

20 years.• Each was to appoint an assistant, called a “Caesar”,

who would be named his successor.• The two rulers would issue all laws jointly, and

enforce them uniformly throughout the empire.

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire• Despite its advantages, this administrative

arrangement broke down when the 2 leaders decided to resign as co-emperors in 305 CE.

• Instead of a smooth succession, 7 rivals vied for power, and the Romans became engaged in a civil

war.• Constantine defeated his rivals, and took power, and

by 324 CE became the sole emperor of Rome.• In 330 BCE he built a new Eastern capital at the site

of the Greek town Byzantium, at the entrance to the Black Sea.

• The town later became the capital of the great Byzantine empire.

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

• The next emperor was the last to rule a united Roman empire.

• Theodosius took over as emperor in 347 CE, and had to deal with Germanic tribes from the west and huns

from the east, both called barbarians (by the Romans).

• These groups constantly invaded Roman territory.• After Theodosius’ death, the empire was again

divided into 2 parts, each with its own ruler.• Rome is said to have fallen in 476 CE, when Odoacer,

a Germanic chief, captured Rome and forced the western emperor to step down.

Rise of Christianity• Roman religion was “polytheistic”, which meant “many

gods”• Hebrew/Jewish religion was “monotheistic”, which

meant “one god”• The Romans conquered Judea, the land of the Jewish people…They were expected to follow Roman laws and

show respect to their gods• Many Hebrews refused to honor any other god but their

own and were persecuted – Put to death, slavery, exiled• Hebrews believed that God would send a

messiah/saviour to deliver them from the oppression of the Romans and return the land to the Hebrew people

• 4-6 BCE Jesus Christ of Nazareth was born

Rise of Christianity• Around the age of 30 Jesus began preaching about God

- God was loving and forgiving- Live a good life and ask for forgiveness for sins

- In heaven everyone was equal and all could go there- He led by example, helped the poor, sick

- Follow the ten commandments- Anyone could convert to Christianity and be saved

• Many Jewish people believe Jesus was the Messiah, although many did not…This caused a split in the Jewish religion and Christianity

was born• If you believed Jesus was the Messiah, you were Christian (New

Testament)• If you believed Jesus was not the Messiah, you remained Jewish

(Old Testament)

Rise of Christianity• Followers began calling Jesus the King of the Jews, began

worshipping only him…Romans did not like this as the emperor was the only man to be worshipped

• Many were punished for following Jesus, and at approximately 33 years of age Jesus was crucified

• The apostle Paul recorded and spread the message of Jesus

• Christianity was easily shared because of common language and the roads making communities easy to get

to • Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity around 312

CE and gave religious freedom and equality to Christians• In 395 CE Emperor Theodosius made it the official religion

of Rome