Chapter 5: Ancient Rome and Christianity

Section 1: Rome Takes Shape

Ms. Blackburn

Geography of Rome

• Italian Peninsula• Located at center of

Mediterranean Sea

• Rome: near center of Italy

• was much easier to unify that Greece because• Not broken up like

Greece• Mountains not as

rugged• Broad, fertile plains in

North and West which supported population growth

Early People

Rome shared peninsula with other peoples

Including Greeks (South) and Etruscans (North)

Etruscans-– North of Rome– Rome learned from

them– Farming, building,

alphabet– Romans drove out

Etruscans and take over (509 B.C.)

2 Types of Citizens

Patricians- wealthy landowners who held most of the power: inherited power and social status

Plebeians- (Plebs) common farmers, artisans and merchants who made up the majority of the population: can vote, but can’t rule

Roman Government

Republic – Power rests with the citizens who have the right

to vote for their leaders.– In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was

granted only to free-born male citizens.

The Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.)

Senate– 300 members,

patricians only, served for life

Consuls– 2 patricians elected

every 2 years to supervise gov./armies

Dictator– Absolute ruler, used

in times of crisis, 6 months

Tribunes– Elected by plebeians

to protect their rights– Eventually entered

higher offices and gained power

The Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.)

THE TWELVE TABLES First set of written Roman laws 451 B.C., officials carve Roman laws on twelve

tablets and hung in Forum. Laws confirm right of all free citizens to

protection of the law Become the basis for later Roman law

Daily Life

Father is head of household, absolute power over family (law)

Education very important, everyone was being educated

Believed in many gods/goddesses

The Roman Army All citizens were required

to serve

Army was powerful:– Organization & fighting skill

Legion- military unit of 5,000 infantry (foot soldiers) supported by cavalry (horseback)

Section 2: Punic Wars

Ms

Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)

Three Wars between Rome and Carthage

1st Punic War- Rome gains control of Sicily & western Mediterranean Sea.

The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars. New York Public Library Picture Collection

Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)

2nd Punic War- Carthaginian General Hannibal’s “surprise” attack through Spain & France– 60,000 soldiers and 60

elephants– Romans experience severe

losses, but eventually ward off attacks & invade North Africa

The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars. New York Public Library Picture Collection

Hannibal's troops crossing the Rhone River on their way to attack northern Italy.

Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)

3rd Punic War- Rome seizes Carthage – Scipio- Roman Strategist– Conquered people sold into

slavery

The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars. New York Public Library Picture Collection

SUCCESSION

In theory, the position of emperor was not hereditary– It was not passed down automatically from father to

son– According to law, when an emperor dies, his power

reverted back to the people of Rome and they could then give this power to whomever they liked

Yet Augustus, throughout his reign, planned for a hereditary succession and attempted to pass his power to his heir while he was still alive– Most Romans accepted this principle without

serious opposition Saw it as the only alternative to the bloody civil

wars of the Late Republic

PEOPLE OF ROME

DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS

Patricians – wealthy, ruling class Plebians – working class

Goal: To keep power & prestige through any means necessary

Goal: Social & political equality

ROMAN SENATE

The consuls ran the gov’t. and led the Roman army into battle. The praetors were the judges…but fairness was not guaranteed.

Pax Romana stands for “Roman Peace”

This time in Rome lasted for 100 years under the outstanding leadership of 5 great emperors of Rome, including Hadrian & Marcus Aurelius.

Origin of the EtruscansOrigin of the Etruscans

Z Between 900 and 500 BCE

Z Called themselves the Rasenna, the Greeks called them Tyrrhenioi; the Romans called them the Etruscans.

Z Came from eastern Mediterranean, possibly Asia Minor.

Z Their land was called Etruria.

Z Between 900 and 500 BCE

Z Called themselves the Rasenna, the Greeks called them Tyrrhenioi; the Romans called them the Etruscans.

Z Came from eastern Mediterranean, possibly Asia Minor.

Z Their land was called Etruria.

HOMER

-Important to the ancient Romans

-wrote “The Satires” about Roman life

LIVY

-wrote the “History of Rome”

OCTAVIAN

IMPERATOR

-commander-in-chief title

-Octavian was given this title by the Senate as emperor

Architecture influenced by the Romans

Twelve Tables – 1st Roman Code of Law

***evolved into the Law of Nations --- natural law

Carthegenian general

-defeated during the 2nd Punic War

-known as one of the greatest military leaders of all time

JULIUS CAESAR

-Dictator of Rome

-known for trying to help the poor

Killed by his own men

‘e tu, Brute?

MARC ANTONY

-Fought with Octavian over control over Rome

CLEOPATRA

-Fell in love with Antony; sided Egypt with him but lost

At first, the people thought Nero was rather fun. He was always doing crazy things. One day, Nero showed up at the Circus Maximus, ready to race!

Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus was a huge outdoor arena, with seating for 250,000 people. It was used mostly for chariot racing by the best professional racers.

He still would have lost every race. He was that bad. Only no one dared to beat him. Anyone who tried had a fatal “accident” soon after.

*Tribe from Asia that became a major adversary of the Roman army

*Acted like Vikings (took what they wanted, then left)

Most famous leader?

ATTILA

SPARTACUS

Former slave who was forced to become a gladiator at the Colosseum

-led a slave revolt and defeated many Roman armies despite overwhelming odds against him

****6,000 of his men were eventually crucified upon their capture!

ETRUSCANS HAD A MAJOR INFLUENCE ON THE ROMAN MILITARY AND THE WAY THE

ROMANS DRESSED

Why was Rome so successful?

• Great military leaders

• Excellent diplomats

• Practical in all matters

Christians were persecuted in the Colosseum for being unwilling to worship Roman gods and emperors

-many were simply crucified; some were eaten by lions as fans watched

Gladiators had weapons…

Christians did not!!!