Ancient Rome and the Origins of
Christianity
Lesson 1: The Roman Republic
Lesson 1 Objectives
● Describe the development of the classical civilization of Rome
● Outline how the Roman republic was structured and governed
● Understand the rights and religious practices that characterized Roman society
● Explain how the Roman republic grew and used its political influence
The Rise of the Roman Civilization
Rome started out as a small city-state and grew to be the dominant power of the Mediterranean world
Their system of law applied to a large population of ethnically diverse people in a powerful empire
Over 1,000 years of history make up Rome’s journey
Geography of Italy
A peninsula that juts in the
Mediterranean Sea
Rome is in the center
The land rolling hills, not isolated valleys
Apennine Mountains split the country
lengthwise
Broad fertile plains in the north and
west
The Roman People
800 B.C.E. the Latins (the ancestors
of the Romans) migrated to Italy
Settled along the Tiber River in small
villages to farm and herd
Eventually these small villages
merged and formed the city-state of
Rome
Romulus and Remus
Legend holds these twin brothers
were the founders of Rome
Story says they were the sons of a
Latin woman and the war god Mars
Were orphaned and raised by a
she-wolf
The Etruscans
Their origins are not known
Believed they migrated from Asia
Minor or the Alps
They ruled much of central Italy,
including Rome
Rome’s Relationship with the Etruscans
Romans learned many things from
the Etruscans:
Adapted the alphabet that Etruscans
borrowed from the Greeks
Engineering skills including how to
build an arch, drainage of land
Gods and goddesses and some
religious practices
The Early Roman Republic
509 B.C.E. Romans drive out the
Etruscan king ruling the city-state
This is the founding of the Roman
state
Create their own government in
which officials were chosen among
their citizens - male
The Republic
They called this res publica “that
which belongs to the people”
We call it a republic today
Romans developed this in order to
make sure no one person gained to
much power and control of the
people
The Senate
Made the laws and controlled the
government
300 members, all patricians
Each year senators nominated two
consuls to supervise and command
the armies
Could only serve one term and had to
approve each others decisions
Supposed to consult the senate
Dictator
In the event of war the Senate would
go to dictator rule
Dictator was granted power to rule
for six months, but had absolute
control
Best example is Cincinnatus who
showed his devotion to Roman law by
how he handled being dictator
Change
Patricians ruled the Senate for about
one hundred years
Plebeians were very vocal in wanting
to have power in government, as they
were the majority of the population
This desire for power shaped change
in the government structure
The Twelve Tables
450 B.C.E. the laws of Rome were
inscribed in stone
They were publicly displayed in the
Forum
Created the appeal process of law for
plebeians
They also were able to elect officials
from their class - tribunes - to protect
their interests in government
Tribunes
This propelled the concept of a veto
as well
Tribunes were able to block laws that
were harmful to the plebeians
interests
It also set the stage for plebeians to
be chosen as consul and occupy high
offices of state
Made the government more
representative
Roman Society
The family was the core of Roman
society
Law that the male head of the
household has absolute power in the
family
Wives were subject to their
husband’s authority
The Role of Women
Roman women were supposed to be
loving, dutiful, dignified, and strong
They had few rights during the early
years of the Republic
They gained more freedom regarding
finances and politics and developed a
prominent role in society
Many ran businesses and created
independent wealth
Role of Women
Patrician women earned respect and
power in social events by planning
and paying for festivals and parades
They even started going to the public
baths, the theater, and going to other
forms of public entertainment on
their own
Others took on strong and vocal roles
in politics and government
Education
Everyone learned to read and write -
regardless of gender or social class
Wealthy Romans hired private tutors
by the end of the Republic, usually
Greek
The history of Rome was seen as
important content
Boys wanting to have a political
career studied rhetoric
Religion
Gods and goddesses similar to those
of Greece and the Etruscans
The calendar was full of feasts and
other celebrations to honor them
Honors were to ensure divine favor
for the city
Everyone in Rome participated which
made them have a sense of
community
Worship
Temples to the gods, with statues of
them, were in every city
Rituals were performed outside
these temples
The public participated in these
rtitual
The Roman Republic Expands
The Republic lasts for over 500 years
During this time a highly successful,
well trained, and loyal army
conquered many of Rome’s neighbors
in Italy
270 B.C.E. they controlled most of
the Italian peninsula
Citizen-Soldiers
Basic military unity was the legion
Made up of about 5,000 men
Men supplied their own weapons and
fought without pay
Small stipends were issued over time
They made their wealth in the things
they acquired in a victory
Successes
They were well-trained by
commanders who praised and
punished
Their military skills outmatched their
enemy
They were loyal and courageous
because that was what was valued
They had many significant victories
Conquered People
Acknowledge Roman leadership, pay
taxes, and supply soldiers for army
Rome let them keep their customs,
money, and local government
Treatment was just as long as they
did not try to rebel
Some received full Roman citizenship
Most lands remained local to Rome
Unity
Rome protected its conquered lands
by posting Roman soldiers
throughout the land
Built a complex road system to link
everyone to Rome
The Latin language become
commonly used in most areas
Roman customs and beliefs spread
All travel through trade