ANCIENT ROME – BASICS TO

EMPIREGeography, Social Classes,

Religion, Government, Expansion, and Empire

SO… You know how they say, “Rome wasn’t

built in a day?”

Well, in this class, it is.

Getcha’ popcorn ready. You’ll be responsible for the underlined words from here on out.

FOUNDATIONS OF ROME - LATINS According to myth, Rome was founded

in 753 BC by Romulus and Remus, twin sons the god Mars (Ares) and a Latin princess.

Raised by a she-wolf! Also, Romulus ended up killing Remus

(that’s why it’s ROME and not REME. (insert laughter/hearty chuckling) In reality, the city is going to be founded

by men because of its GEOGRAPHY: strategic location and fertile soil.

GEOGRAPHY OF ROME Center of the Italian Peninsula Few harbors, but 2,000 miles of

coastline Mild, moist climate. Very similar to

Greece (Duh, they’re right next to each other).

RELIGION IN ROME (LATIN) Polytheistic like most other cultures at

this time. In reality, they just “borrowed” the

Greek gods and goddesses. [This, yet again, is an example of cultural diffusion.] Prepare yourselves, I may say this word every day in class. You may dream about it.

Roman Values: discipline, self sacrifice, devotion to family/government.

SO, THEY’RE A LOT LIKE GREEKS? Yes. Yes they are. Many of the laws, governments, arts,

architecture, etc. of Ancient Greece and Rome will be similar.

Also like the Greeks (aka Alexander) they’re going to create a massive empire covering parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Look for the similarities and differences!

WHAT TYPE OF GOVERNMENT? Early on, Rome was ruled by Etruscan

Kings (what type of government?) When one became a tyrant, the people

rose up and got rid of the king in favor of a republic = power rests with citizens who vote for their leaders.

The United States is a republic (senators/representatives)

Why wouldn’t direct democracy work in the United States?]

REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT:2 BRANCHES (NEXT TO PATRICIANS) Executive – Enforce laws across

country/empire Ex. Consuls – commanders-in-chief of

the army Legislative – Senate – foreign and

financial policies $$$. Ex. Senators, Tribal assemblies.

Our ideas in the USA for legislative and executive branches come from here

SOCIAL CLASSES 2 groups are going to struggle for

political power. First are the PATRICIANS: wealthy aristocrats, held

most power. plebeians: commoners; farmers, artisans.

Much larger than Patricians, but little power. Citizenship reserved for adult, MALE landowners only.

Eventually, the two classes will create laws that attempt to make both sides happy.

LAWS – (INSULAE) Tribunes: representatives protecting

plebeians They wanted a written law code so

patricians couldn’t change the law for themselves

Twelve Tables: first written law code All free citizens have a right to the

protection of these laws.

Foundation for later laws in Rome and eventually United States law. (Constitution).

SPARTACUS - SLAVES

Free entertainment – Colosseum

http://www.history.com/videos/the-fall-of-rome#rome-engineering-an-empire---coliseum

TAKE 30 SECONDS TO… Work out your hands. I know it’s a lot of

writing.

EXPANSION Like Alexander, Rome is going to expand and

conquer other nations while leaving their local customs mostly intact.

How? Rome has superior army: Legions = organization Punic Wars = Rome defeats Carthage in a series of

wars between the cities from 264 – 146 BC. 2nd Punic War – The Carthaginian general

Hannibal will try and conquer Rome. He

wins an incredible battle at Cannae in 216

BC, but eventually loses at Zama near

Carthage.

EXPANSION After defeating Carthage, Rome

conquered most of Mediterranean world. By 70 BC, Rome had essentially made

the Mediterranean Sea a Roman lake. Mare nostrum – “our lake”

PROBLEMS IN THE REPUBLIC Write next to Triumvirate 2 problems: Social

Struggles – classes aren’t meshing well

Loyalty to commanders rather than Rome itself.

1st Triumvirate – Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus. After a civil war, Caesar = 1st dictator of Rome.

JULIUS CAESAR

ACHIEVEMENTS OF CAESAR Never lost a war Invaded Britain Centralized bureaucracy Great speaker Brought many new laws to society

BETRAYAL! Caesar is assassinated on The Ides of

March (March 15) by a group of Senators led by Brutus and Cassius. “Et tu, Brute?”

MORE DRAMA / DOWNFALL After Caesar dies, more civil wars break

out (Why?) A 2nd Triumvirate takes power –

Octavian, Mark Antony, and Ledipus Octavian wins, becomes Augustus.

This begins the peak of Rome’s Power from 27 BC– 180 AD.

2ND TRIUMVIRATE

PAX ROMANA – NEXT TO DICTATOR Literally, peace of Rome, or Roman

Peace Period of Peace and Prosperity. *****

REORGANIZE - IMPERATOR Augustus hires full time workers,

government stability, and one set of laws

What are some ways you would govern a massive empire?

REBUILD Government Projects – builds Appian

Way: Roman road/infrastructure.

http://www.history.com/videos/rome-engineering-an-empire---appian-way#rome-engineering-an-empire---appian-way

SPARTACUS - SLAVES

Free entertainment – Colosseum

http://www.history.com/videos/the-fall-of-rome#rome-engineering-an-empire---coliseum