THE FOUNDATION AND GEOGRAPHY OF ROME

ROMAN LOCATION

Small Italian city-state

Central on Italian peninsula

Influence of RiversNorthern AlpsMediterranean Sea

FORMING ROME…

Myth of Romulus and RemusLatins move onto peninsula around 800 BC

and establish Rome as a town…Greek Influence = trade, technology,

crops, alphabet, cultureEtruscan Influence = arch, armyPatricians expelled the Etruscans (ruled

under King Tarquin) = established the Roman Republic in 509 BC!

ROMULUS AND REMUS

WAR AND CONQUEST

Rome surrounded = conquers Latin states in 338 BC, by 264 BC overtakes the Greeks and Etruscans

Latin's allowed full citizenship Roman Confederation = allowed to rule locally,

but must give Rome soldiers SUCCESS? = good diplomats, great military (with

great infrastructure), practical in sense of law and government … incorporation of conquered peoples – they “buy into” Rome!

FEATURES OF CITIZENSHIP

Patricians = wealthy land ownersPlebian Men = merchants, farmers,

artisansSelected foreigners allowed to become

citizens to promote loyalty to RomeTaxes and Military Service = Roman

Citizens’ DutiesRome develops into a representative

democracy over time…

ROMAN REPUBLIC Senate – 300 members Centuriate Assembly Consuls – 2 elected members Plebian Assembly and Tribunes Twelve Tables Law of Nations Slavery in Rome

ROMAN EXPANSION

Rome moves toward an empire…3 Punic Wars

Competition for trade2nd War with HannibalRoman victory = Carthage destroyed

133 BC – Spain to AsiaMediterranean basinWestern Europe (Gaul, British Isles)