Ancient Rome 1 Geography Located on the Italian

Ancient Rome 1

Geography -Located on the Italian peninsula, in the center of the Mediterranean Sea -The Alps are in the North -The Apennine Mts. are on the eastern coast -broad, fertile plains in the north and west 2

Early Civilization -Italy was originally occupied by many different groups of people -Two main groups were Greek colonists and the Etruscans -The Etruscans ruled much of central Italy and Rome itself -Ancestors of the Romans, the Latins, settled in the area that is now Rome around 800 B. C. 3

Legend of the Founding of Rome -Legend has it that twin brothers, Romulus and Remus founded the city -According to the tale, the twins’ mother was a Latin woman and their father was the war god Mars -This led Romans to believe that they had a divine origin 4

Rome Geography Rome is located: -On the banks of the Tiber River -On and around seven hills Why would this geographic location be an advantage? 5

Politics - 509 B. C. Rome is Founded -Romans drove out their Etruscan ruler and established a republic - They did not want one person to have all the power 6

Make up of the Roman Republic • Senate – Only Patricians could be on the Senate • 2 Consuls – Elected from the Senate – Could only serve a 1 year term • Assembly – Patricians and Plebeians 7

Structure of the Republic -Patricians= landholding upper class Plebeians= farmers, merchants, artisans, traders Patricians Plebeians Slaves 8

Separation of Powers • Each group has specific responsibilities that overlap with the responsibilities of the other groups. 2 Consuls Senate Assembly 9

Patricians vs. Plebeians -Plebeians have no say in the government - Eventually get to elect their own officials called tribunes in 494 B. C. - For 84 years, (421 -337 B. C. ) plebeians fought to have a role in each part of the government 10

Social Structures -A man was the head of the household and his wife and children did not question his authority -Over centuries, women received more rights. These included: -Owning property -Running businesses -All children were taught to learn to read and write -Wealthy had private tutors for their children 11

Religion -Romans were polytheistic-they believed in many gods and goddesses -Many of the gods were adapted from the Greek gods Greek God Roman God Zeus-ruler of all gods Jupiter-ruler of all gods Hera-wife of Zeus, protected marriage Juno-wife of Jupiter, protected marriage Poseidon-god of the sea Neptune-god of the sea -Roman calendar is full of feasts and celebrations to honor the gods and goddesses -Temples for worship to ask for divine assistance 12

Politics -Rome grows strong and begins conquering the rest of Italy -By 270 B. C. , Rome controls most of the Italian peninsula -Military is made up of citizens -Rome conquered justly- allowing those conquered to keep their culture, customs, and government- as long as they supplied soldiers, paid taxes, and acknowledge Roman leadership 13

Economics -Conquests brought much wealth to Rome -Wealthy families bought huge estates called latifundia. -Romans forced the people they conquered to work as slaves on the latifundia -Slave labor hurt the small farmers because it cost them more to produce food, and the price was driven down by the immense quantities coming into Rome -Farmers fell into debt, sold their land, and moved to the city looking for work -gap between rich and poor widens=riots and chaos 14

Republic to Empire -Civil wars break out to decide who should hold power. The senate wanted to keep the status quo; political leaders wanted to weaken the senate and enact reforms -Slave uprisings throughout the republic -Armies became loyal to their commanders because they gave them benefits such as captured land. - The new Emperors of Rome then became Army Comamnders 15

PAX ROMANA • Means Roman peace – Period of time when there was no civil wars • Military Commanders become Emperors – Whoever controls the Army has the power • Symbolizes the End of the Roman Republic 16

Emperor of Rome Roman Citizens Rest of the known World 17

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