Welcome to Ancient Rome

a tour created by Mrs. Tuttle

GeographyRome is situated on the

Mediterranean Sea. The “boot” of Italy is a peninsula of Europe.

The city of Rome was built on the banks of the Tiber River, on

the seven hills of Rome

Geography

Early PeopleAccording to legend Rome was founded by Romulus & Remus.

Because of it’s location, Rome was settled by many people.

Early Romans called themselves Latins.

The people in northern Italy were the Etruscans.

Eventually all of the people of the region were Roman.

The Roman RepublicIn a Republic, people elect leaders

who represent them in the government.

This is not a democracy since all of the elected officials came from the patrician class. These were

the wealthy and powerful people of Rome

The ordinary citizens of Rome were called plebeians.

The Roman RepublicThe Romans were ruled by two men

serving as leaders together. They were called consuls and were elected

each year to run the city and the army.

The Roman Senate was a council of wealthy and powerful Romans who

advised the consuls.

In times of crisis a dictator was given absolute king-like power for a term of

one year.

Government & SocietyLaws in the Republic were called the

Twelve Tables, and they governed may parts of Roman life.

The tables were displayed in the Forum, Rome’s public meeting place. The forum was built between two of the hills, the Palatine Hill, and the

Capitoline HillThe forum was a center of politics,

shopping, and a place for the public to gather.

It is often called the heart of Roman society.

A Warrior NationThe strength of Rome lay with its

powerful army.

Much of the expansion of Rome came from its success in the Punic Wars. Rome was at war with Carthage, and

defeated them gaining lands in Northern Africa, Spain, Corsica, &

Sicily.

The Romans defeated the great general Hannibal.

The Roman Empire

Rome was a dangerous place in 70’s BC.

There was much unrest & violence as politicians & generals tried to

increase their power. Julius Caesar rose to power as a general and formed an alliance with Pompey & Crassus to rule

Rome together.After the death of Pompey &

Crassus, Caesar declared himself emperor. He was later

assassinated in the Senate.

Pax RomanaPax Romana means Roman Peace in

Latin.This era came about by the reign of Augustus Caesar following the death

of Julius Caesar.

Augustus, also known as Octavian, lead Rome to an era of prosperity

and peace.

He created the city’s first fire & police departments, improved public

buildings, increased the water supply, and expanded it’s roads.

The Fall of Rome

An empire as large as Rome is expensive to maintain. Emperors were forced to

increase taxes, coin more money, and demand tribute from the provinces.

The army was fighting many barbarian invaders to defend Rome.

The empire was split into the Eastern & Western portions.

In 410 Alaric led the Visigoths took over and pillaged the city of Rome.