Rome’s BeginningsChapter 8

Section 2

The Origins of Rome Italy: Peninsula shaped

like a high-heeled boot located in the Mediterranean region

The heel points towards Greece, the toe points toward the island of Sicily

The Alps are to the north and the Apennines run down the boot from north to south

The Origins of Rome The Apennines were easier to

cross, therefore the settlements were not split up like Greece

Italy had better farmland; land could support more people

People began to slip through the mountain passes around 1500 B.C. and 1000 B.C

Latin-speaking people built the city of Rome on the plain of Latium in central Italy

Where was Rome Located? Geography played a major

role in the location of Rome.

Tiber River: 15 miles from the Mediterranean Sea

Tiber River: Water source, protection from invaders, way to the rest of the Mediterranean world

Where was Rome Located? Located on 7 steep hills,

making it easy to defend the city against attacks

People could easily cross the Tiber River

Rome became a stopping place for people traveling through Italy and for merchant ships sailing the Mediterranean

How did Rome Begin? Romulus and Remus

Aeneid: famous epic by the Roman poet Virgil

Historians are not user how Rome began, but believed the Latin's lived in the area as early as 1000 B.C.

Between 800 B.C. and 700 B.C. people banded together for protection thus the beginnings of Rome

Etruscans Lived north of Rome in

Etruria.

After 650 B.C., they moved south and took control of Rome and most of Latium

Military would serve as a model for the Roman Army

Skilled metal workers Mining and trading Pride in military Paintings show festivals,

music, and sports Change Rome into a city of

wood and brick buildings

Birth of the Republic Etruscans ruled for more than 100 years

The Tarquin family grew cruel.

509 B.C., Rome rebelled against the Tarquin family and setup a Republic

Birth of Republic Republic is a form of

government in which the leader is not a king or queen but someone put in office by citizens with the right to vote

Citizens have the power in a Republic

Over the next 200 years, Rome fought many wars

338 B.C.—defeated the Latins

284 B.C.—defeated the Etruscans

267 B.C.—conquered Greeks in Southern Italy

Why was Rome so Strong? Excellent Army/Soldiers

Early Republic, all male citizens who owned land had to serve in army

Discipline was harsh

Deserters were punished by death

Practical problem solvers

Roman Military Early military, fought in

rows like the Greeks (realized was too slow and hard to control)

Formed smaller groups called Legions

Legion- 6,000 men and would divided further into groups of 60 and 120 men

Roman Military Roman soldiers were called

Legionaries

Weapons: Gladius (short sword) and Pilum (spear)

Carried its own standard—tall pole with a symbol (helped keep units together during battle)

Shrewd Rulers Good fighters and smart planners

Built permanent military settlements in areas they conquered

Built Roads between towns

Roman Confederation Romans gave full

citizenship to people especially the Latin's

Could vote, serve in government, treated the same as other citizens under the law.

Allies were free to run own local affairs

Pay taxes to the republic and provide soldiers

Due to generosity and treatment of conquered people, loyalty to Rome grew strong.