Ancient RomeSOL WHI.6

Blank Map of Italian Peninsula

The Geography of Rome

#1. Based on location alone, how would Rome’s location be beneficial?

Located on the Italian Peninsula (vocab).

◦ Created a crossroads for trade, cultural exchange, and conquest in the Mediterranean basin.

The Alps provided Italy with protection, as did the seas surrounding the Italian Peninsula.

Location

Italian Peninsula

Two major mountain ranges, the Alps and the Apennines.

Some of Italy’s mountains were volcanic. Their eruptions could devastate Roman towns. (Foreshadowing)

Rome lies on the Tiber River. Rome had a mild climate that led to a plentiful food

supply and the city’s early growth.

The Geography of Rome

Seven Hills of Rome

The Etruscans

• Mystery – their origins are lost to prehistory• Lived north of Rome

– Region today called “Tuscany” after them (ancient Etruria)

– Enemies of the Romans• Taught the Romans:

– Arch in architecture – drainage and sewer-building– phalanx military formation– Alphabet which was taught to the Etruscans by the

Greeks.

#2 Why are myths and legends created?

Religion was polytheistic.◦Religion was part of Rome’s culture, politics,

and art.

Roman gods and goddesses were based on Greek mythology

Religion and Mythology

Roman gods Greek Name Role Jupiter Zeus King of gods Juno Hera Queen of gods Neptune Poseidon God of Seas Mars Ares God of War Venus Aphrodite God of Love Mercury Hermes Messenger Manerva Athena God of

Wisdom Pluto Hades God of the

Underworld Apollo Apollo Music

Jupiter

Juno

Neptune

Venus (Horrible Histories God)

Romans also deified some emperors during the Age of Empires.◦Deified – gave “godlike” status to emperors.

#3. Why do you think people believed some of their leaders were gods?

The Roman Republic contained 3 social classes: ◦Patricians – wealthy (few in number).◦Plebeians – majority of population

consisting of landowners, townspeople, merchants, and farmers.

◦Slaves – people forced into servant class by conquest

Social Structure of Ancient Rome

Citizenship – was held by all patricians and plebeians◦And selected foreigners

Citizens had rights not extended to slaves and non-Romans.◦All citizens should: vote pay taxes serve in the military.

Republic = Representative Democracy

Consuls – at the top of government.◦2 people elected by the Assembly each

year.◦Served one year terms.◦Could veto (reject) decisions by the

Assembly.◦Ran the government.

#4. What would the U.S. equivalent (the same/equal) be of a Roman consul?

Government –509 BCE

How many people serve as president of the U.S. at one time?

How long is a president’s term? How many terms can a president serve?

President of U.S. enforces laws

Rome was a representative democracy known as a Republic.

Two bodies made up the representative branch of government – The Assembly and Senate.

Representation

Senate – patricians that controlled the finances and foreign affairs of Rome. Advised the consuls. (#5)

Assembly – made laws for Rome

◦Tribunes – part of the assembly that was made up of plebeians.

◦Could veto (reject) actions of the Senate and Consuls. (#6)

The Republic became more democratic as plebeians gained rights and power. (#7)

The Twelve Tables – First written set of Roman laws (451 BCE).◦Defined laws and gave plebeians more

rights.◦Established that all citizens had the right

to legal protection.

Constitution of U.S. – Our written laws

R o m an R ep u b lic G ove rnm e nt

C itize n s E le c tedS e na te

P a tric ia ns a ndP le b ia ns

S e na teM a d e o f P a tric ia nsC o n tro lled f ina n cea n d fo re ig n a ffa irs

C it ize n s E le c tedA sse m b ly

P a tric ia ns a ndP le b ia ns

T rib u n esC o u ld A dd re ss S en a te a n d A ssem b ly

M a de u p o f P le b ia nsC o u ld ve to S e na te a n d C o nsu ls

A sse m b lyM a d e o f P a tric ia ns

M a d e la ws

C o n su lsS e rve d 1 ye ar

E le c te d b y A sse m b lyC o u ld ve to A sse m b ly

C o n su lsS e rve d 1 ye ar

E le c te d b y A sse m b lyC o u ld ve to A sse m b ly

Roman Republic Government

Rome fought Carthage in 3 wars that lasted over 100 years, to determine who would dominate the Mediterranean world

Punic Wars

Intro Video

#2 Who controlled most of Sicily by 264 BC?

2nd Punic War (Punic war video)

Hannibal, Carthaginian general, commanded a mixed army of North Africans and Europeans against Rome.

218 BCE – led troops with elephants across Pyrenees Mountains of Spain, through France, and over the Alps of Italy into northern Italy◦Trek took 15 years – arrived with

most of his men and most of the elephants.

◦Roman army had expected a southern invasion. (#3)

Hannibal Song Video

Hannibal got to Rome but never defeated the city of Rome. (#4)

Rome counter-attacked the city of Carthage.◦Hannibal left Italy to defend Carthage and was

defeated outside of Carthage.

Carthage gave up all land except in Africa.◦Rome now ruled most of the Mediterranean.

Hannibal was later tracked down and committed suicide.

2nd Punic War Map

3rd Punic War Rome was still angry from the 2nd Punic

War and Carthage was mounting forces for an attack of Rome.

Rome attacked Carthage first and completely destroyed the city.

Romans destroyed its major political and economic competitor.

Able to expand trade and wealth Roman culture would now follow

conquest. Now Rome dominated the Mediterranean. Romans would remain unchallenged and

go on to conquer Western Europe.

Results of the Punic Wars

Large landowners began to use more slaves.◦Caused small farmers to lose their lands

and move to cities. As cities grew, these people were unable to

find work. The Middle Class (plebeians)

demanded more rights. Rome entered into a time of civil war for

100 years. (#5)◦Slave and plebeians uprising.

Changes to Rome after the Punic Wars

2Wealth and Slaves flood into Rome

3Senators buy up vast

properties

4Smallholders move

to Rome to tryand find work

5The unemployed mob cause

increased corruption& military commanders

become too influential as the army

becomes dependent on the spoils of war

1The empire expands

Julius Caesar began as a leader of the Roman Army.◦Popular for his military conquest.

60 BCE Caesar joined with Pompey (military hero) and Crassus (the richest man in Rome) to form the First Triumvirate.

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar

Pompey

Together they ruled Rome, but jealousies soon turned them against each other.

Caesar turned his army towards Rome and crushed Pompey and the Senate.◦“Veni, Vidi, Vici” – I came, I saw, I

conquered.Caesar then made himself dictator

for life.

Maintained the Senate but Caesar had the real power.◦Packed the Senate with his followers.

Public works of Rome (roads, aqueducts, buildings) to employ the poor.

Public land to the poor. Extended citizenship to conquered people. Julian Calendar – based on Egyptian

calendar and used for 1600 years.

Caesar’s Reforms

Senate grew more fearful of Caesar’s power. March 15, 44 BCE – “Beware of the Ides of

March!” Caesar was murdered by members of the Senate. Rome broke out into a new civil war.

Ides of March

Julius Caesar Video

Spread of slavery.Migration of unemployed farmers to citiesAssassination of Julius CaesarCivil wars as Caesar gained power and

after his assassination.keDevaluation of Roman Currency - Inflation

Causes for fall of Roman Republic and Rise of Roman Empire

After Caesar died◦His 18 year old

grandnephew Octavian joined forces with Marc Antony (Caesar’s general) and Marcus Lepidus

Second triumvirate defeated Caesar’s assassins in 42BCE #1

End of the Republic (video)

Octavian

Antony

Lepidus

Octavian forced Lepidus to retire from political life

Octavian declared war on Marc Antony when he married Cleopatra

◦ Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide in Egypt to avoid capture

Octavian became undisputed ruler of Rome

Second triumvirate did NOT last long

Mark Antony

Cleopatra

Octavian believed Rome needed one strong leader◦ Senate agreed and appointed Octavian consul,

tribune, and commander in chief for life - 27BCE

Octavian gave himself the title of Augustus-Majestic One

Background info…

Rome became an Empire and Augustus was the Emperor.

Augustus Caesar

Imperial = empire = large area under single rule

Failure to have change of power from one emperor to the next.

Civil war giving rise to Octavian (Augustus)

Reasons for Imperial Rome

http://videopediaworld.com/video/17886/Ancient-Civilizations-Rise-of-the-Roman-Empire

“The Roman Empire. Or Republic. Or Which is it?”