Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome

The beginning of Rome is related to two legends:◦Aeneas◦Romulus & Remus

According to Aeneas’ legend:◦Was Trojan War hero◦Moved his family west to promised land◦1st to settle in present-day Rome

Ancient Rome

According to the legend of Romulus & Remus:◦Twin brothers abandoned by mother @ birth◦Raised (age 2) by female wolf◦Found by farmer; kills wolf◦Raises boys as his sons◦As grown men, brothers decide to build city◦Stand on opposite hills; wait for “sign” from gods◦Birds circle Romulus; seen as “sign” from gods◦Remus jealous; brothers fight◦Romulus kills Remus; names city Rome

Ancient Rome

Rome is ruled by series of kings until 600 B.C.

Etruscans (northern Italy) invade Rome and conquer city.

Romans live under their rule until 509 B.C.

Now free, Romans create a republican* form of gov’t to rule city.◦* - gov’t where citizens elect reps. to rule in their

name.

Ancient Rome

Rome begins as a farming community; nearby Tiber River provided water source.

As Rome developed into more complex society, two social classes begin:◦Patricians◦Plebeians

Patricians were:◦Wealthy landowners◦Held high gov’t positions.

Ancient Rome

Plebeians were:◦Commoners (Middle/Lower)◦Could vote◦Didn’t hold gov’t positions

Resentment towards patricians power grows; forces them to write “12 Tables”.

12 Tables provided ALL Roman citizens with:◦Basic rights◦Basic duties

Homework #1 – 3/20/13

1. What war was Aeneas a hero of?2. What animal cared for Romulus & Remus?3. What was the “sign” the gods gave

Romulus?4. Who invades Rome in 600 B.C.?5. What type of gov’t does Rome create?6. What were the two social classes in

Rome?7. What did the 12 Tables provide ALL

Romans?

Ancient Rome

Under the Republican gov’t, Rome had 3 branches:◦Legislative◦Executive◦Judicial

Leg. Branch was made up of:◦Senate◦Assemblies

Senate:◦Consisted of 300 members◦Advised Roman leaders◦Mostly patricians

Ancient Rome

Assemblies:◦Made up of Plebeians◦Elected representatives◦Protected rights of plebeians

Judicial branch consisted of:◦8 judges◦Served 1 year◦Oversaw courts & governed provinces

Ancient Rome

Executive branch consisted of:◦2 Consuls◦Served 1 year

Consuls had power to:◦Command army◦Direct gov’t◦Veto/Overrule other consul

In times of crisis, consuls would choose a dictator* to rule in place for a limited time.◦* - Leader with absolute power.

Ancient Rome

After the Roman Republic was created, Rome looked to expand its territory.◦Dominated central Italy by 300 B.C.

By 275 B.C., Italian peninsula is under Roman control.

Rome didn’t rule conquered people harshly:◦Offered citizenship◦Allowed to govern themselves

Ancient Rome

Conquered people had to:◦Pay taxes to Rome◦Provide soldiers for army

In search of new land, Rome begins the Punic Wars in 264 B.C.◦Series of 3 wars against Carthage*.

* - rich, trading North African city

Rome & Carthage fight outside Carthage; Rome wins 1st Punic War easily.

Ancient Rome

Events of the 2nd Punic War:◦Carthage army is led by Hannibal; takes army to

Rome◦En route, Hannibal’s troop “live off land”*

* - Eat crops/livestock needed; destroy rest◦Hannibal reaches Rome’s outer wall; can’t break

through◦Carthage stays for 6 months◦Rome sends troops to Zama while entire

Carthaginian army is outside Rome◦Hannibal gets word of Rom’s plan; hurries back

to defend Zama.◦Rome defeats Carthage…again

Ancient Rome

Following 2nd Punic War (202 B.C), Carthaginian army forced to break apart.◦Rome now owns Carthage and it’s lands.

In 146 B.C., Carthage army begins to rebuild; rumors of revolt reach Rome.

Roman army travels to Carthage; destroys Carthaginian army.

City of Carthage destroyed; all survivors are enslaved; salt poured into ground.

Ancient Rome

As Rome expanded, so did problems.

Unemployment & poverty increase after expansion because:◦Conquered people = slaves◦Conquered cities = wealth◦Large farms = slave labor◦Small farms can’t compete = unemployment

Unemployment+ PovertyTension / Jealousy / Free time / Violence

Ancient Rome

Commoners/low class grow increasingly jealous of wealth/power of upper class.

Reformers try to ease the tension by breaking up large estates:◦Upper class feels threatened◦Reformers killed

Roman generals (wanting more power in Rome) hire poor farmers to serve in army.◦Soldiers keep “spoils of war”*.

* - conquered peoples’ money/possessions

Ancient Rome

As generals become more successful, soldiers become richer.

Soon, soldiers are loyal to generals, not Rome or country.

Civil war breaks out between:◦Generals (and armies) loyal to Plebeians◦Generals (and armies) loyal to Patricians

Plebeian General: Marius

Patrician General: Sulla

Ancient Rome

Roman generals (wanting more power in Rome) hire poor farmers to serve in army.◦Soldiers keep “spoils of war”*.

* - conquered peoples’ money/possessions

As generals become more successful, soldiers become richer.

Soon, soldiers are loyal to generals, not Rome or country.

Civil war breaks out between:◦Generals (and armies) loyal to Plebeians◦Generals (and armies) loyal to Patricians

Ancient Rome

Plebeian General: Marius

Patrician General: Sulla

The civil war lasts many years; patricians win the war; Sulla takes over as dictator.

Other generals use Sulla’s rise to power as a blueprint for their success.

Julius Caesar was:◦Roman General◦Ambitious◦Craved real power

Ancient Rome

Caesar realized that power started through military victories (Why?).

Caesar won victories in Asia Minor (Turkey) and Gaul (France).◦Gave him reputation as brilliant general.

Besides being great general, Caesar was also a great politician.◦Known as a reformer.◦Supported plebeians.

Ancient Rome

His open support of lower class gains Caesar more popularity.

Due to his increased popularity, Caesar is seen as a threat to the Roman Republic.

Caesar returns victoriously from Gaul; Senate orders him to break up his army.

Instead, Caesar leads troops through Italy, fighting Senate-controlled army for control of Rome.

Ancient Rome

Caesar had won against Senate-controlled army; returns to Rome in 46 B.C. as victor/hero.

Upon his return in 46 B.C., Caesar has:◦Full support of people of Rome.◦Been appointed sole Roman ruler by Senate.

By 44 B.C., Caesar is named dictator for life.◦Usually dictators only given 6 month span.

Ancient Rome

As absolute ruler of Rome, Caesar began reforms to change city.

During his rule, he:◦Increased number of Senators in Senate.◦Enforced laws◦Created jobs for poor

Some Romans, while happy with Caesar, feared he would anoint himself king.

Ancient Rome

If Caesar declared himself king, it would mean:◦Caesar would rule for rest of his life◦Caesar’s family would rule after him

Concern over Caesar’s power grew throughout Rome; Senate begins to resent Caesar.◦Jealous of power they lost.

60 Senators are organized by Brutus (Caesar’s close friend) to plot how to kill a “tyrant”.

Ancient Rome

Assassination of Caesar:◦March 14th: Caesar stopped by fortune teller. Warned to “Beware Ides of March” (Full moon).

◦March 15th: Caesar is called to emergency meeting of Senate. Arrives at Senate Chamber; joined by Marc Antony.

◦Antony is stopped outside building. Caesar enters chamber alone; meets Senators on

floor of chamber. As he’s greeting Senators, he is stabbed by ALL

Senators. Brutus is last to stab Caesar, killing him. Antony witnesses Brutus’ act; Senators chase him.

Homework #3 – 4/8/13

1. What happened to reformers who tried to help Rome?

2. Why did the Roman Senate provide FREE gladiator games?

3. Why were soldiers becoming more loyal to generals, not Rome?

4. Which side did Marius lead in the civil war? Which side won?

5. Why did Caesar believe power started with military victories?

6. What title was Caesar given in 44 B.C.? What was unique about it?

7. Why did the 60 senators want Caesar dead?8. Who created the plot to kill Caesar?9. What was Caesar warned to beware of?

Ancient Rome

Following Caesar’s death, Rome plunges into a civil war, due to a lack of leadership.

The war lasts for years; destroys whatever is left of Roman Republic.◦Senate, consuls, & assemblies disappear.

Octavian, Caesar’s great-nephew & adopted son, defeats others for power in Rome.

Octavian becomes ruler of Rome in 27 B.C.; changes name to Augustus.

Ancient Rome

While technically an emperor, Augustus refuses title; called “first citizen” instead.

Augustus restores some aspects of Rome’s old republic:◦Senate◦Consuls◦Assemblies◦Tribunes

Rome’s republic was restored, but Augustus had power over all parts of gov’t.

Ancient Rome

Under Augustus’ leadership, Rome was:◦Rebuilt/Beautified◦Strengthened (defenses improved)◦Efficient through civil service*

Officials employed by gov’t.

Civil Servants:◦Collected taxes◦Oversaw the postal system◦Managed grain supply

Ancient Rome

Augustus’ rule is labeled Pax Romana*.◦* - “Roman Peace”.

Pax Romana, and policies Augustus created, lasted for 200 years.

Under Pax Romana:◦Roman empire reached greatest size to date◦Army was greatest fighting force in world

(300,000)◦Gov’t was strong, even in absence of good ruler◦Agriculture improves; economy strengthens◦Trade increases throughout massive empire◦Common currency created; helps trade increase

Ancient Rome

Life in Rome had problems like major cities of today.

Urban problems plagued Rome, such as:◦Food◦Water/Sewage

Poor Romans starved while rich Romans ate in excess.◦To prevent riots, grain given by gov’t to poor.

Ancient Rome

To deal with growing spread of disease, Rome builds sewers.◦Improved sanitation; stopped spread of disease.

To get water into city, Rome built aqueducts*; carried fresh water into city.◦* - Pipes that bring water from source.

With improved water supply, bath houses became essential to Roman life.

Romans would attend bathhouses to:◦Bathe◦Socialize◦Attend events (concerts, plays)

Ancient Rome

Roles in Roman society were defined by gender.

Fathers:◦Owned all property◦Had control over members of household◦Active in military/gov’t.◦Owned/ran businesses◦Could vote

Mothers:◦Ran household/child-raising◦Inherited property; could NOT purchase land◦Ran family business when husband away◦Could NOT vote

Ancient Rome

Children:◦Middle/lower class children homeschooled◦Upper class children sent to private school◦Girls stayed home; learned household chores◦Girls married by age 14 (arranged)◦Boys married by age 17

Homework #4 – 4/10/13

Ancient Rome

Roman religion was loosely based on Greek mythology:◦Believed in many gods◦Believed gods were in everything (nature)◦Worshipped at shrines in home

Ancient Rome

Roman religion vs. Greek mythology

Greek Roman

Supreme Zeus JupiterGod

Supreme Hera JunoGoddess

God of Sea Poseidon Neptune

God of Music, Apollo ApolloPoetry

Goddess of Aphrodite VenusBeauty

God of War Ares Mars