Ancient Rome

Origins of Rome

• Story of “Romulus & Remus”• In reality, men NOT mortals

built Rome

Rome’s Geography

• Built on 7 rolling hills at a curve on the Tiber River

• Near the center of the Italian Peninsula

The First Romans

• Arrived in PRE-HISTORIC times• 3 groups inhabited the region:1. Latins (original settlement @ Rome)2. Greeks (southern Italy & Sicily; colonies)3. Etruscans (northern Italy)***Begin Organizer NOTES***• 1st 500 years roots are from Etruscan

culture• Writing system, metalworkers, alphabet

adopted by Romans• Greek & Latin Influences as well

Early Republic

• Last king of Rome (Tarquin the Proud)

• Driven out of power b/c he was a TYRANT

• Created a REPUBLIC– Where power rests citizens who have

the right to vote its leaders

Social Classes

1.Patricians (inherited power & social status)• Nobles of Rome (wealthy landowners)• Forced out King• Declared a republic in 509 BC• Elected leaders

2.Plebeians• Majority of population• Wealthy, working class, & poor• Had some rights (could vote)• Couldn’t hold office

• Eventually allowed to form assembly & elect representatives (TRIBUES)

Twelve Tables

• Tablets that Patricians were forced to write laws – Hung throughout Rome’s Forum

• Established that ALL FREE CITIZENS had right to protection under laws

Twelve Tables Images

Government Under Republic

• Executive Branch:• 2 consuls (officials)

– Commanded army & directed government

• 1 year terms for Patricians– Could not be elected again for 10 years

• Consul members could overrule, or VETO, each other

Government Under Republic

• Legislative Branch:• Senate• 300 members • Chosen from upper class of Roman

society (only Patricians originally)• Served for LIFE

Family Life

• Very important• Close-knit and large • Father=absolute authority• Could sell family into slavery• Could kill w/out penalty• Roman women had higher positions

than Greek women

Religion

• Early Romans worshipped nature/spirits

• Borrowed Greek gods (Zeus and Jupiter)

• Believed in foretelling the future

Army

• Well trained• Deserter = death• EVERY MALE citizen served• Legions (multitude) of 5000 men in

units of 60-120 men

Punic Wars

• Began in 264 BC (lasted until 146 BC)

• Between Rome and Carthage• Officially were 3 Punic Wars• Second Punic War:• Mastermind was Carthaginian

general Hannibal• Goal: avenge Carthage’s early defeat

Hannibal

• Assembled a HUGE army• Capture ROME!• Initially, Hannibal was successful• Rome had many allies

that offered support• Third Punic War:• Rome TRIUMPHS

– Set Carthage afire and sold 50,000 inhabitants into slavery

Outcomes

• Rome dominates Western Europe• Set out to conquer Eastern Europe• Will stretch the Roman Empire from

Anatolia (present day Turkey) to Spain