roman empire. roman origins according to legend, founded in 753 b.c. by romulus and remus on the...
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ROMAN EMPIRE
Roman Origins
According to legend, founded in 753 B.C. by Romulus and Remus on the Tiber River• Near center of Italian Peninsula, Midpoint of
Mediterranean SeaFirst Romans• Latins• Greeks• Etruscans
Mediterranean Sea
ROME
Early Roman Republic
600 BC, an Etruscan becomes king of Rome. Monarchy lasts until 509 BC
1. Rome grows2. Construction of the Forum3. Last king, Tarquin the Proud, driven from
power in 509 BC4. Romans rejected monarchy & established a
Republic
A. Republic is a form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders.
B. Citizenship granted only to free-born, male citizens.
Republic
Res Publica “The Republic”
PATRICIANS (nobles)
PLEBIANS (ordinary people)
COMITIAAssembly of
elected citizens
• CONSULSTwo heads of state & army
• PRAETORSChief judges
• TRIBUNESLooked after the interest of the
plebeians
DICTATORHeld power in
times of trouble
SENATEAdvisory body
for consuls
Rome’s Power Spreads
Rome conquers Italya. 4th Century BC, Romans dominated central
Italyb.By 265 BC, controlled nearly all of Italyc. Different laws and treatment for different
peoples- Lenient policies allowed Rome to build a long- lasting, large empire.
Rome’s Commercial Network
a. Location gave Rome easy access to trade with lands around Mediterranean.
b. Moved by land and seac. Traded Roman wine and olive oil for other
foods, raw materials, and manufactured goods.
Punic Wars
Causes •Competition b/w Rome & Carthage over trade in the Mediterranean•Carthage & Rome both tried to dominate
Events •Rome & Carthage fight over Sicily•Hannibal tries to attack Rome coming over the Alps w/ elephants (fails)•Rome destroys Carthage in revenge
Effects•Rome became dominant in power/grew•Trade flourish/great wealth•War captives became slaves/cheap labor•Small farmers lose their jobs
The Roman Empire Begins
The Republic Collapses Growing discontent among the lower classes Breakdown in military order (more loyalty to
generals than to Rome itself)
Julius Caesar
Strong leader, genius at military strategyCaesar elected consul in 59 BCCaesar, Crassus, and Pompey formed the 1st
Triumvirate for next 10 years.Conquered Gaul (France)Caesar marched his troops back to Rome,
Pompey fledSenate appointed him dictatorIn 44 BC, made dictator for life.
Julius Caesar
Reforms Granted Roman citizenship to many people in the
provincesExpanded the SenateHelped the poor by creating jobsNew public buildingsCreated new colonies where people could own
landIncreased pay for soldiers. Assassinated in 44 BC by Senators who were
afraid of his power, success, and popularity.
2nd Triumvirate
Octavian (Caesar’s grandnephew and adopted son), Marc Antony, Lepidus, banded together to defeat Caesar’s assassins.
Octavian forces Lepidus to retireAntony allies with Cleopatra of Egypt (Antony
was already married to Octavian’s sister, Octavia.)
Antony’s forces met Octavian’s forces at Battle of Actium in 31 BC, Octavian won
Antony & Cleopatra returned to Egypt and committed suicide.
Empire Established
Octavian became unchallenged ruler of Rome (27 BC)
Accepted the title of “Augustus” (exalted one)Pax Romana (27BC to 180AD):
long lasting period of peace and prosperity. The Roman Empire achieve its greatest extent (3
million square miles)60-80 million people
The Roman World
Emphasized the values of discipline, strength, and loyalty (gravitas)
Most people lived in the countryside and worked on farms
Slavery and Captivity More use of slaves than any previous civilizationsMost slaves were conquered peoples brought back
from battlesSome forced to become professional gladiatorsSome slave revolts, but none ever succeeded.
Gods & Goddesses
Adopted many Greek deities, but changed their names
Examples: Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, Venus, Mars, etc.
Worship of the emperor also became part of the official religion
Society & Culture
Rich lived extravagantlyMuch of Rome’s population was unemployed,
govt. supplied some foodFree games for the masses: races, mock
battles, gladiator contests: Coliseum
Emperors Attempt Reform: Diocletian
became emperor in 284 ADDoubled the size of the Roman armySet fixed prices for goodsDivided the Empire between Greek –speaking
East and Latin-Speaking West
Emperors Attempt Reform: Constantine
gained control of Western half in 312 AD, Eastern half in 324 AD
Constantine moved capital from Rome to Byzantium (renamed Constantinople, currently Istanbul, Turkey) in 330 AD
POLITICAL:Oppressive government & loss of popular supportIncreased govt. corruptionDivision of the empireInternal power struggles
MILITARY:Poorly trained armiesLittle loyalty among hired soldiersSeries of Germanic invasions
ECONOMIC:Increase in taxes to support the army & bureaucracyReliance on slave laborIndenture of farmers to wealthy landowners
SOCIAL:Population decline caused by war & diseaseDecline in patriotism, discipline & devotion to dutyDevotion of upper classes to luxury & self-interest
Decline of the Roman Empire
Rome’s Influence on Western Civilization
Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization
Romans & Greek culture, intermixed
Use bas-relief to tell storiesMosaicsPainting: large murals
called frescoes
Rome’s Influence on Western Civilization
Learning and literaturephilosophy from the GreeksVirgil: The Aeneid modeled after works of
HomerOvid: Poetry, light and witty, for enjoymentLivy: Multivolume history of RomeTacitus: Historian, presented facts
accurately, concerned with Roman lack of morality.
Legacy of Rome
Latin Language Catholic Church until 20th centuryFrenchSpanishPortugueseItalianRomanian
Legacy of Rome
Master Builders Arch, dome, concreteColiseumAqueductsRoads
Legacy of Rome
Roman System of Lawsrights of Roman citizensEqual treatment under the lawInnocent until proven guiltyThe burden of proof rested with the accuser,
not the accused