9 FUN FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT ROME

1. EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD STORYGREAT

Romulus & Remus: mythical twin brothers who were supposed to be drowned as babies (so they couldn’t take power) but floated away and were raised by a She-Wolf. Eventually they wanted to start their own city but disagreed about its location and features. Romulus kills Remus and founds “Roma” named after himself.

Romulus represents: aggressive, athletic, manipulative, army

Remus represents: philosophy, art, government

Both elements make up Rome

NOT SO GREAT

The last Roman emperor was called Romulus Agustulus (not recognized by the Eastern empire and ruled for less than a year) Forecasts end.

People were beginning to no longer value what Romulus originally represented

2. PRETTY COOL STUFF GREAT

Statues, paintings, clothing, theatres, arenas, baths, roads, aqueducts, books, etc!

NOT SO GREAT

These things all cost money: taxation often fell most on ordinary poor people as well as the provinces who became unhappy with the greed and injustice of Rome

3. LAW AND ORDERGREAT

● Once a republic (power held by people) with an appointed dictator, and elected consuls, senate and assembly. Central government

● Had a code of laws, trials, and the Law of Nations that allowed conquered places to keep their customs.

● It eventually turned into an empire with its first ruler Augustus Caesar.

NOT SO GREAT

Ultimately, there was too much power in the hands of a few wealthy people (rights only applied to Roman male citizens)

Farmers had their land taken away by wealthy slave owners

4. EMPERORS! So many emperors...GREAT

Some highlights…

Augustus Caesar: First Roman emperor and heir of Julius Caesar. Avenged his death and helped to stabilize and build up Rome.

Antonius Pius: “The Excellent Emperor” achieved peace and prosperity through fair governing and careful attention to finances

Constantine: Reunited the empire, gave more power to senate again and made law to tolerate all religions

NOT SO GREAT

Some lowlights…

Caligula: started good by rebuilding and entertaining the people but eventually declared himself a god, extorted money and tried to declare his horse consul

Nero: starts like Caligula but eventually burns Rome and blames it on the Christians and kills his mother, step-brother and wives

Between 235 and 284 CE (49 years) 41 people were emperor or claimed to be.

*Canada has had only 22 different Prime Ministers since 1867… (150 years)

5. LET’S FIGHT ABOUT ITGREAT

The Roman army was once unbeatable with their highly trained, disciplined and loyal Legionnaire and battle tactics like the Phalanx formation

NOT SO GREAT

The military was needed to keep the empire together but it was very expensive since they were always defending against attacks and rebellions.

The government relied too heavily on the military who were made up of people who were unhappy with how emperors were ruling - generals often overthrew emperors

Relied more and more on mercenaries (paid soldiers) mostly made of the Germanic people they were fighting. These people were really only loyal to who paid them the most.

6. IS THERE SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH FUN?GREAT

There’s nothing that Romans loved more than the spectacle of games such as gladiator battles and chariot races

NOT SO GREAT

The people spent so much time on consuming brutal, mindless entertainment that they paid little attention to the big problems that were mounting around them, not to mention all money wasted on luxuries

7. CONSTANTINEGREAT

Conquers in battle and reunites the empire by promoting Christianity

NOT SO GREAT

Moves capital from Rome to Byzantium in 324 CE in the east and renames it after himself: Constantinople

This lowers the population of Rome and weakens it against attack

They were doing very well in the east, so they didn’t bother to help the West when issues arose

8. THE NEW RELIGIONGREAT

Christianity saved the empire for a time by unifying its people under one faith and giving everyone the promise of equality

NOT SO GREAT

There was constant fighting between people over what was the “right” version of Christianity and more intolerance of other religions

Since so many people adopted Christian beliefs/ virtues they no longer wanted to support the old beliefs through constant war

9. BARBARIANS: HUNS, GOTHS, VISIGOTHS, OH MY!GREAT?

Romans gave the term “Barbarian” to any “uncivilized” person or foreigner

Initially, when territories were conquered, its people were offered citizenship, which was very appealing because it offered protection and prosperity so eventually these “barbarians” became Romans themselves

NOT SO GREAT

The promise of citizenship often wasn’t kept and many were actually forced into slavery instead

Citizenship wasn’t as appealing as it used to be because of corrupt government

Roman rulers were very proud and refused to compromise with barbarians who just wanted their piece of the pie, not to destroy it so………….. THEY SACK ROME ANYWAY in 410 CE MWAHAHA! *these are the peoples we are going to learn about next :)