Why was Rome’s geographic setting important?

A few reasons………A few reasons………

• Central location in empire

• Fertile soil for agriculture: Tiber River

• Peninsula: surrounded by water

• Mediterranean Sea and easy access to other countries

• Protected by Alps

• Warm climate attracted settlers and more people for army

What is a republic?What is a republic?

Public=peoplePublic=people Rule by peopleRule by people People= elected representativesPeople= elected representatives

Who were the elected Officials?

Elected RepresentativesElected Representatives

What are the 12 Tables and What are the 12 Tables and why are they important?why are they important?

IMPORTANT STUFF!IMPORTANT STUFF! A A writtenwritten Code of Laws- so patricians Code of Laws- so patricians

could no longer bend laws to suit could no longer bend laws to suit themselvesthemselves

Made it possible for all to know and Made it possible for all to know and understand the lawsunderstand the laws

Like our Like our Bill of RightsBill of Rights

What made the Republic great?

A few things……A few things……

The empire was growing! Roman armies The empire was growing! Roman armies conquered Carthage, Spain, Greece and conquered Carthage, Spain, Greece and Gaul.Gaul.

New laws protecting rights were made New laws protecting rights were made Organized government: Power was balanced Organized government: Power was balanced

between Senate, Consuls and Assembly so between Senate, Consuls and Assembly so no ONE person was in charge no ONE person was in charge

Who is this?Who is this?

Why is he famous?

Caesar= DictatorCaesar= Dictator►Led army in conquering Gaul Led army in conquering Gaul

►Strong leader- troops very Strong leader- troops very loyal loyal

►Captured lots of gold for Captured lots of gold for empireempire

►Made himself dictator : Good Made himself dictator : Good organizerorganizer

Why did the Republic Why did the Republic Decline?Decline?

Things fall apartThings fall apart Conflict between Patricians and Conflict between Patricians and

Plebeians-over land, power, rightsPlebeians-over land, power, rights Consuls no longer respected each Consuls no longer respected each

other’s veto powerother’s veto power Civil warCivil war

NOW WHAT?NOW WHAT?What would you do?What would you do?

Many in Rome believe that keeping Many in Rome believe that keeping the Republic is the only way to save the Republic is the only way to save Rome from civil war.Rome from civil war.  

Others believe that Rome can only be Others believe that Rome can only be run by a strong leader; an emperor run by a strong leader; an emperor who is willing to lead the empire out who is willing to lead the empire out of this state of crisis.of this state of crisis.

The Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire

Who is this first Emperor of Rome?

What made him a good ruler?

AugustusAugustus CaesarCaesar

►Showed great respect for the SenateShowed great respect for the Senate►Promoted tradePromoted trade► Improved tax collectionImproved tax collection►Created Created PEACEPEACE in the empire through in the empire through

strong and fair leadershipstrong and fair leadership

Of the 5 good emperors, Of the 5 good emperors, Hadrian was the most popular. Hadrian was the most popular.

Why?Why?

HADRIAN HADRIAN laws, leadership, learninglaws, leadership, learning

► Worked hard to build a fair governmentWorked hard to build a fair government► Created laws to protect women, children Created laws to protect women, children

and slavesand slaves► Code of laws made all laws the same Code of laws made all laws the same

throughout the empirethroughout the empire► Reorganized the army to defend home

provinces► Encouraged learningEncouraged learning► Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall

What did the Romans learn What did the Romans learn from the Greeks?from the Greeks?

LOTS!LOTS!

MathMath PhilosophyPhilosophy AstronomyAstronomy ArchitectureArchitecture Art and SculptureArt and Sculpture

What did we learn from What did we learn from the Romans?the Romans?

LOTS!LOTS!

MathMath PhilosophyPhilosophy AstronomyAstronomy ArchitectureArchitecture Art and SculptureArt and Sculpture

Why is Roman Law important Why is Roman Law important to us today?to us today?

INFLUENCE!INFLUENCE!

Roman law influenced many other cultures Roman law influenced many other cultures and nations, including the United States.and nations, including the United States.

Our Bill of Rights included many of the Our Bill of Rights included many of the same ideas that Roman proposedsame ideas that Roman proposed..