The Classics: Ancient Rome

Italy (750 BCE): Early People

• Rule by Etruscans (Asia Minor) – Greek influence

• Monarchy• Tiber River• Romans drove out

King (509 BCE)•Beginning of Roman state

The Roman Republic (509 B.C.E – 27 B.C.E) (officials chosen by the public)

Senate: law-making body– Patricians: landowners

upper class•made laws, served for life

– Plebeians: majority; farmers, merchants, artisans

– Slaves: lowest class of society, prisoners of war, plebeians enslaved for debt, no legal rights

Patricians

Plebeians

Slaves

*During times of war, Senate may choose a

dictator to rule

The Roman ForumThe Roman ForumThe Roman ForumThe Roman Forum

Twelve Tables of Law (451 B.C.E)

• Rome’s 1st written legal code

• Laws were displayed in the forum

Why is this a major

breakthrough?

Do Now: What

happened between 264

BCE – 146 BCE?

146 BCE

264 BCE

Post-Punic Wars:Roman Empire (146 BCE)

Punic Wars (264 BCE-146 BCE)Wars fought b/w Rome & empire of Carthage (Hannibal)

• Effects of Roman Victory: 1. Roman Empire expands: Sicily, Sardinia,

Corsica, Carthage

Why were they so victorious? Highly trained and organized army; Naval

power• Assimilation of conquered

– ex: citizenship, taxes, army, retain customs

2. Spread of Hellenistic culture (cultural diffusion)

3. Trade/Commerce increases• New wealth (land)

4. Creation of Latifundia (estates of land)

• Worked by slaves (pow’s)• Small farmers can’t produce goods as

cheaply as latifundia – face debt, sell land– move to Rome, look for jobs

» mob violence» Republic fails to stop violence!

4. Civil War• Who should hold power?

– Senate or leaders seeking reform? • Commanders had ideas for

Rome!

Julius Caesar• victorious commander/conqueror

• famous• forces Senate to make him dictator (48 BCE)

Roman Empire (44 BCE)

The Roman Empire (27 BCE-476)

• Rome’s 1st Emperor (end of Republic)– Octavian Augustus

• foundation for stable government

• His rule began a period known as Pax Romana – “Roman Peace”– Golden Age

Rome’s Early Road SystemRome’s Early Road SystemRome’s Early Road SystemRome’s Early Road System

Roman AqueductsRoman AqueductsRoman AqueductsRoman Aqueducts

The Roman The Roman ColiseumColiseumThe Roman The Roman ColiseumColiseum

The Coliseum InteriorThe Coliseum InteriorThe Coliseum InteriorThe Coliseum Interior

Task: Based on your understanding of the Roman Empire/Pax Romana complete the following task:

– Create a SKIT illustrating this time period in Roman history (27 B.C.E. – 476)

Directions:– Pretend that you are living in the

Roman Empire. – Create a skit that focuses on 3 (min.)

characteristics of the Roman Empire.– Skits must be realistic and historically

accurate.Be creative and have fun with the

assignment!

Examining The Roman EmpireFor each group, identify the characteristics of the Roman Empire

presented!

Group:

Characteristics of the Roman Empire:

1

2

3

4

Quick-Write:

What was life like under the Roman Empire?

Based on your reading/notes and class performances!

Homework:– Would you rather be ruled by a foreign

power and live well or by your own people and live with less?

• Explain and defend your position with your own examples & examples from the reading.

•Due Thursday

The Greatest Extent of the Roman The Greatest Extent of the Roman EmpireEmpire

The Greatest Extent of the Roman The Greatest Extent of the Roman EmpireEmpire

Do Now: What was the religion of the

early Roman Empire?

What effects did Roman Rule have on the Jews…

• When the Romans capture Palestine (69 BCE) Jews excused from worshipping city gods

• Jewish revolts (66)

– Independent state!• Romans force Jews off their land ~ “Diaspora”

(scattering of the Jews)

–“Messiah would arrive one day to lead us [Jews] to freedom”

– Jesus preaches new beliefs (26), founder of Christianity ~ proclaims to be the Messiah that the Jews were waiting for

The Rise of ChristianityThe Rise of ChristianityThe Rise of ChristianityThe Rise of Christianity

The Spread of ChristianityThe Spread of ChristianityThe Spread of ChristianityThe Spread of Christianity

Do Now: Why did Christianity spread?

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.

Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they

shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that

suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Beatitudes

1.A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must

love one another (John 13:34).

2. But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those

who mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28).

3. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Romans 12:14).

“Love Your Enemies”

The Neronian Persecution: Fire in Rome (64)

“There had been no attempt to dismiss the suspicion that the fire had been started at the Emperor’s command. Therefore, to quiet the rumor, Emperor Nero cast the blame and punished a people called Christians that were hated for their crimes. Christianity, this noxious superstition broke out in Rome, and those who confessed were convicted not because of arson but for hatred of the human race.”

“To their sufferings was added mockery, for they were sewn into the beasts and torn to pieces by dogs. Many died on the cross, or as the stake. Others, as day passed, were burned to illuminate the night. Nero gave his gardens for the spectacle and put on a circus, himself mingling with the crowd in the costume of a charioteer.”

“The blood of the martyr is the seed of the Christian Church”

• 313 AD – Edict of Milan (Emperor Constantine) – Freedom of worship; toleration–Constantine moves capital of empire to Constantinople; eastern portion of empire becomes the center of power!

• 392 AD – Christianity becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire

Diocletian Splits the Empire (294 Diocletian Splits the Empire (294 CE)CE)

Diocletian Splits the Empire (294 Diocletian Splits the Empire (294 CE)CE)

Christians as Persecutors1. Heretics are “ravening wolves and treacherous

spirits which hide within the name of Christian and infest the flock of Christ.”

2. “The Jews are no longer entitled to any privileges because they disowned Him, who had honored them and given them privileges; and instead of showing Him reverence, they humiliated Him, by shamefully putting Him to death on the cross.”

3. “Woman’s only purpose was to tempt man from following the true path of righteousness. Their seductive powers were so great that they could cause even angels to sin.”

“The Fall of Rome”What would cause a powerful empire to

collapse?

CAUSES FOR THEFALL OF ROME

Barbarian Invasions: 4c-Barbarian Invasions: 4c-5c5c

Barbarian Invasions: 4c-Barbarian Invasions: 4c-5c5c

The Byzantine Empire:The Surviving Eastern Roman Empire

• Capital: Constantinople• Preservation of Greek/Roman culture• Influence spreads to Russia (religion)

The Byzantine Empire How they were different from the

Romans• Religion/Culture • Government/Law

Justinian &

Theodora

A Divide in Christianity ~ Schism (1054)

CHRISTIANITY

ROMAN CATHOLIC

EASTERNORTHODOX

Christian Differences

Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox