Unit 1:The Ancient

Roman Empire“The Empire That Shaped the Western World”

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I. How Rome Began: “The Monarchy Period” (about 753-642 B.C.)

A. The Legend of Romulus and Remus

B. Romulus - first king of Rome (753 -717 B.C.)

C. Six different kings followed Romulus

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II. The Enemy: “The Etruscan Period” (642 B.C – 509 B.C)

A. Etruscans - very advanced enemy, overpowered the Romans (642 B.C.)

B. Etruscans – cruel, overbearing rulers

C. Romans overthrow hated Etruscan king (509 B.C.) = end of Etruscan period

III.The Ideal: “The Republic Period” (509 B.C. – 133 B.C.)

A. Romans despised Etruscan monarchy system

B. Republic “thing of the people” 1. keep one person from getting too much power2. The Senate

a) elected senators b) “patricians”

(upper class) onlyc) Twelve Tables –

first laws3. The Co-Consuls

a) army commanders (usually 2)4. Dictator

a) during war time onlyC. Plebians (lower class)

1. Tribune – plebian officials who could veto laws that hurt the plebians

IV. Growing: “The Republic’s Expansion Period”A. Rome’s masterful army = legions

1. Rewards for bravery, death for cowardiceB. Conquered lands

1. Rome treated conquered enemies w/ justice

2. Many conquered people supported Rome

C. And the republic expanded. .. . and expanded … and expanded…..

D. All of Italy is under Roman control (270 B.C.)

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V. War: “The Republic’s Rivalry With Carthage Period” (270-146 B.C.)

A. Carthage – city-state in Tunisia (Africa)B. Three Punic Wars

1. War 1 = Rome Wins (241 B.C.)a) Rome gains Med islands, Sicily, Corsica, and Sardina

2. War 2 = Rome Wins (203 B.C.)a) Carthage leader – Hannibal – leads war elephants into Romeb) Rome attacks Hannibal’s homeland

3. War 3 = Rome Wins (146 B.C.)a) Carthage is destroyed, survivors sold into slavery

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VI. Turmoil: “The Republic’s Civil War Period” (133– 48 B.C.)

A. Senate = rich and corrupt 1. The Gracchus Brothers elected Tribunes 2. Both were killed by thugs sent by senators (120 B.C.)

B. Generals recruit plebians to fight 1. Generals will give them land in exchange for service and loyalty 2. Generals begin using armies to seize political power from the Senate

C. Roman Civil War1. Julius Caesar (a new, young senator)

gains popularity with the poor,becomes influential (59 B.C.)

2. Pompey and Crassus = co-consuls of Rome

3. Caesar (C) and Pompey (P) become friends, respect each other

4. C is appointed tri-consul w/ Pompey and Crassus = Triumvirate

TRIUMVIRATE

Pompey Crassus Caesar

5. P crushes slave rebellions across Roman land = hero

6. C is jealous of P’s popularity, needs a military victory

7. C’s daughter, Julia, forms relationship w/P8. C offers Julia to P in exchange for P’s 50,000

soldiers and moves them to Gaul9. C conquers Gaul (today France) (50 B.C.)10.P becomes concerned about C’s popularity11. Crassus is killed in battle

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D. “Vini, Vidi, Vici”1. C attacks P and his supporters in Rome2. C forces senate to make him dictator

(48 B.C.)3. C = absolute ruler of Rome4. C demands P be killed

VII. Stability: “The Julius Caesar Period” (48 B.C. – 44 B.C.)

A. Employs the joblessB. Reorganizes the gov’t – more SenatorsC. Granted citizenship to the poorD. Institutes the Julian Calendar

VIII. Power: “The Roman Empire Period” (31 B.C.-476 A.D.)

A. “The Ides of March” 1. Caesar stabbed in the senate chambers (44 B.C.)2. Who will lead Rome?

a) Mark Antony? -- Caesar’s chief general-- allied w/ Cleopatra of Egypt-- perceived by Romans to be immoral

b) Octavian? -- Caesar’s closest heir

B. Octavian = “Exalted One” = AUGUSTUS (31 B.C.)C. “The Roman Empire” is born

IX. Peace: “The Pax Romana Period” (31 B.C. – 180 A.D.) A. Time of Peace and Prosperity for Rome

1. innovation, education, motivation2. Empire grew – Egypt to Britain3. set up a postal service – made trade easier4. economy was strong, majority of Romans lived well 5. many good and bad emperors

a) good – Marcus Aurelius (161 A.D. – 180 A.D.)b) bad – Nero, Caligula, Tiberius, Commodus

6. Mass Entertainment is Popular

a) Chariot Races @ Circus Maximus

b) Gladiator Contests @ Colosseum

c) Emperors used entertainment to distract public from real problems

7. Roman Technology Grows

a) aqueducts – the world’s first water supply line to private homes or public baths

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X. Chaos: “The End of the Pax Romana Period” (180-284)

A. Death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (180)B. 50 emperors followed in the next 49

yearsC. No stability, no confidence = no loyalty to Rome

Marcus Aurelius Commodus

XI. “The Rise of Christianity Period”A. Early Roman Religion

1. Polytheistic – Jupiter – main god2. Rome said it tolerated other religions

B. Rome conquered Judea --Jewish land (63 B.C.)

C. Jesus is born (4 B.C.) D. Many Jews began to follow a Jew

named Jesus1. teaching through “parables”

- forgiveness - sympathy for the poor

- message of peace

E. Romans officials believe Jesus is a threat to their power

1. Judas, disciple of Jesus, betrays Jesus for $$ 2. Jesus is crucified, considered a martyr (35 A.D.)

3. Jews who believe in Jesus then became known as “Christians”F. Christianity is born, spreads throughout Roman EmpireG. Christianity is the official religion of Roman Empire (392 A.D.)

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XII. Control: “The Diocletian Period” (284) A. Diocletian took control of the chaotic Empire 1. separated Rome into East and West 2. served as an absolute dictator

3. demanded a caste social structure be implemented4. controlled borders from invaders5. persecuted Christians (about 5% of pop.)6. has been compared to Augustus b/c he brought stability

XIII. “The Constantine Period” (312)A. Constantine welcomed and supported ChristianityB. Constantinople -- new Eastern Capitalbetter resourcesC. West was in decline and was constantly invaded

Western Roman Empire Eastern Roman Empire

XIV. The Fall: “The Foreign Invasions Period” (200-476)

A. Germanic Tribes from the North (Visigoths, Franks)

B. Rome surrenders: Britain, Gaul, Spain (200)

C. The Asian “Huns” -- led by “Attila the Hun” take most of Western Rome (453) D. Last Western Roman Emperor loses

power to the Germanic Invaders (476)

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XV.Why did the Roman Empire fall?A. Military Reasons

1. tribal invasions2. weakened Roman army

B. Economic Reasons1. Heavy taxes needed to protect huge empire

C. Political Reasons1. Divided empire2. Disloyalty and lack of respect for leadership