ANCIENT ROME

The Origins of Rome

Rome’s Geography

• Rome was founded in 753 B.C. by twin brothers Romulus and Remus.

• The city was chosen for its strategic location and fertile soil.

• Built on seven rolling hills at a curve of the Tiber River, near the center of the Italian Peninsula.

• Three groups inhabited the region from 1000 to 500 B.C.

The First Romans

• The Latins built the original settlement at Rome and are considered to be the first Romans.

• They built wooden huts atop one of the seven hills.

• The Greeks, from 750 to 600 B.C. established colonies along southern Italy and Sicily.

• They brought Italy in closer contact with Greek Civilization.

• The Etruscans were native to northern Italy.

• They were skilled metalworkers and engineers.

• Influenced Roman civilization and architecture– Romans adopted their alphabet

– The use of the arch

The Early Republic

• In 600 B.C. an Etruscan became king of Rome and in the following decades Rome grew.

• The last King of Rome was Tarquin the Proud and he was a harsh tyrant. • After him Rome vowed to never be ruled by a king again.

• A republic was formed, a type of government in which the power is in the hands of the citizens who vote for their leaders.

The Early RepublicPatricians

• Wealthy landowners who held most of the power

• Inherited their power and status– Believed this gave them authority

Plebeians • The common people who made up

most of the population;– Farmers

– Artisans

– Merchants

• Citizens who had the right to vote• Formed their own assembly and

elected representatives– Tribunes – protected the rights of the

plebeians from unfair acts of the patrician officials.

• The Twelve Tables– Written law code

– Hung in the Forum

– Became the basis for Roman Law

Government Under the Republic• Thought to have a balanced government that

encompassed the best features of; – Monarchies

– Aristocracies

– Democracies

• Rome had two officials called consuls, they directed the army and the government. Power was limited to a year.

• The senate was in charge of the legislative and administrative part of the republic.

• Dictators could be appointed to make laws and command the army in times of crisis. Only for 6 months.

Roman Legion• 5,000 Infantry Soldiers• Group of Cavalry soldiers on

horseback• Divided into groups of 80

men called a century• All citizens who owned land

had to serve. – To obtain some public

offices one must serve for ten years.

• The military organizations and fighting skill were key factors in Rome’s success.

Roman Power Grows

• Roman power grew slowly and steadily

– Sought to expand through trade and conquest

• By 265 B.C. conquered almost all of Italy

The Defeated People• Rome was lenient to the

people they conquered–They were allowed to

be full citizens if they lived on the Tiber

–Those who lived further away had citizenship but could not vote.

The Punic Wars• Roman merchants moved by land and

sea. – They traded wine and olive oil for foods,

raw materials and manufactured goods.

• Carthage was a city that interfered with the Romans access to the Mediterranean.

• Carthage was located on a peninsula of the North African Coast.

• Eventually Rome and Carthage began to fight over trade in the Mediterranean Sea

• They fought 3 battles

The First Punic War264-241 BC

• Fought over control of Sicily, lasted for 23 years

• Carthage defeated• This became Rome’s

first province

The Second Punic War218 – 202 BC

• Carthage was led by HANNIBAL a brilliant general.

• He used 50,000 men, 9,000 cavalry and 60 elephants.

• To surprise Rome he went through the Alps. He lost half of his men and most of his elephants. Initially it worked

The Second Punic War

• For 15 years, Hannibal moved across Italy dominating

• At Cannae in 216 B.C. he had his greatest victory.

• Romans stood strong and with help from allies they prevented the capture of Rome.

• Finally a Roman general name SCIPIO devised a plan to attack Carthage.

The Third Punic War149 -146 BC

•Scipio was a powerful general who forced the fight to Hannibal's territory and in 202 B.C. the Romans defeated Hannibal.•Rome laid siege to Carthage and set the city on fire. •Romans sold all of Carthaginians into slavery!

Rome In Control• Victory in the Punic Wars gave Rome control of the Mediterranean

• By 70 B.C. Rome’s Empire stretched from Anatolia to Spain.

Vocabulary Checkpoint

• In this section you were introduced to ten vocabulary terms.

• Using these ten terms make the LONGEST SENTENCE EVER!

• Republic, Patrician, Plebeian, tribune, consul, senate, dictator, legion, Punic Wars, Hannibal

EXIT INTERVIEW•SUMMARIZE THE IMPORTANCE AND IMPACT THE PUNIC WARS HAD ON ROMAN SOCIETY

(AT LEAST 5 SENTENCES)