The Rise of Rome

Geography• Rome is located on the Italian Peninsula which juts into the Mediterranean Sea>east-west travel and trade

• About 18 miles inland on the Tiber River>easy access to the sea but far enough in to protect from pirates

• Built on seven hills>easy to defend

• Located on a north-south traffic route

Peoples of Italy• Indo-Europeans move into Italy-Latins, Greeks, and Etruscans

• Etruscans have the most influence on Rome’s development-turn Rome from a village to a city, mode of dress, and organization of the army

Romulus and Remus-Myth of the birth of Rome

Click on the picture below to learn who Romulus and Remus where and the role they played in the rise of Rome.

The Roman Republic• Republic-the leader is not a king and certain citizens have the right to vote

• Rome gains control of most of Italy through a series of wars

• Gave citizenship to some conquered people-allowed them to control local affairs in return for soldiers and citizenship

• Believed success was due to three virtues: duty, courage, and discipline

Livy-Roman Historian, wrote of the three virtues

Why was Rome so Successful?• The Romans were good diplomats

• They were skilled, persistent soldiers and brilliant strategists

• In law and justice, the Romans were practical

The Roman StateEarly Rome was divided into two groups, the patricians and the plebeians. Click here to read about the two groups. Fill in the chart below.

Group Who were they?

Role in the Governmen

tPatricians

Plebeians

The Roman Senate

• Select group of patricians who served for life

• Began as an advisory group, by the third century, had the force of law

Click on picture for complete, interactive outline of the Roman Senate

Twelve TablesRome’s first code of law. Click here to view the Twelve Tables.

1.Choose three laws that are similar to our laws today.

2. Choose three laws you find excessive (too harsh).

3. Choose three laws you find just plain silly.

The Punic Wars

The Romans faced a strong power in the Mediterranean, Carthage. Carthage was founded by the Phoenicians. The Carthaginians occupied Sicily, an island close to the Italian coast. The two powers will begin a long struggle for dominance in the Mediterranean.

Hannibal

The greatest of Carthaginian generals. Click here for more information about Hannibal.

Victory at Cannae-click here for more information about the battle at Cannae.

1. Why was control of the Mediterranean so important to the Romans and the Carthaginians?

2. Hannibal’s route took him far from home. How did this help the Romans defeat Carthage in the end?

3. Hannibal was able to raise a diverse army. Do you think Hannibal was a great leader or a tyrant? Why?

Using information from the links and textbook reading, answer the following questions.

Master of the MediterraneanRome will destroy Carthage in the

Third Punic War. With the conquest of Macedonia and Greece, the Romans will become master of the Mediterranean.