Ancient Rome and Early Christianity Chapter 6 The

Ancient Rome and Early Christianity Chapter 6

The Beginnings of Rome • Legend- 753 B. C. founded by Romulus and Remus, twin sons of god Mars and a Latin princess

The Beginnings of Rome • Culture evolved from the Latins, Greeks, and Etruscans

Roman Government • Began as monarchy- Etruscan Kings • 509 B. C. - Roman Aristocrats established a new government Republic – Democracy with representatives

Rome Spreads Its Power • By 265 BC, has conquered most of Italy-

Rome Spreads Its Power • Rome had different laws and rights for different territories • Those closest to Rome had more rights and power in government

Building The Empire • 218 BC

Building The Empire • 100 BC

Building The Empire • 44 BC- Death of Caesar

Building The Empire • AD 54 - Death of Claudius

Building The Empire • AD 116 Empire at its largest size • Trajan

Building The Empire • 275 AD • Death of Aurelian

Building The Empire • 305 AD • Abdication of Diocletion

Building The Empire • 450 AD • Empire at the time of Attila the Hun

Rome’s Commerce • 450 AD • Empire at the time of Attila the Hun

Roman Commerce • Great commercial empire • Access to land sea travel • Built roads with Rome as the central focus- “all roads lead to Rome”

Punic Wars • Carthage and Rome fought for control in the Mediterranean

Punic Wars • 264 -241 BCThree Wars • Hannibal. Military leader of Carthage

Punic Wars • Hannibal marched 50, 000 infantry, 9000 cavalry and 60 elephants over the Alps into Italy

Punic Wars • Roman General. Scipio defeated Hannibal in the Second Punic War • After third war, Rome controls the Mediterranean

Problems Resulting From Expansion • Widening gap between rich and poor> • corruption> • poverty • Class tensions-Poor became discontent

Civil War Erupts • 88 -82 BC • Rivals between generals during this period • Julius Caesar emerges to bring order to Rome

Civil War Erupts • Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey join forces • Caesar is elected consul in 59 BC • These three leaders rule as one--a“triumvirate”

Julius Caesar • Strong leader • Becomes governor of Gaulsuccessful in battle • Senate names him Emperor for life

Julius Caesar • Made many changessenate was threatened • Brutus and Cassius assassinate Caesar on March 15, 44 BC

Octavian (Caesar Augustus) • Claimed he would restore the Republic • Names himself “Augustus”“exalted one” • Stabilized the empire

Octavian • Built many buildings to glorify Rome • Established a “Civil Service” to run day to day operations

Later Emperors • Some were cruel- Caligula, Nero • “Five Good Emperors”(see page 150 + 151)

Roman Economy • Based on trade and farming • Common coinage • Trade within the empire as well as with India and China • Roads- “Silk Roads”

Life in Imperial Rome • Gods and goddesses were similar to Greeks • Religion and state were linked so gods represented government • Jupiter, Juno, Minerva

Life in Imperial Rome • Family was important • Slaves were important- most were conquered peoplegladiators • “Bread and Circuses”- given to distract and control the poor population

Life in Imperial Rome • Ancient Rome

Life in Imperial Rome • The Coliseum

Life in Imperial Rome • The Pantheon

Life in Imperial Rome • The Pantheon

Life in Imperial Rome • The Pantheon

Life in Imperial Rome • The Pantheon

Life in Imperial Rome • Baths of Trajan

Life in Imperial Rome

Life in Imperial Rome • Baths of Trajan

Life in Imperial Rome • Circus Maximus

Life in Imperial Rome • Circus Maximus

Life in Imperial Rome • Roman Dress

Life in Imperial Rome • Chariot

Pax Romana • 207 years of peace and prosperity- 27 BC to 180 AD • Also during this time Christianity develops

The Rise of Christianity • Judea(home of the Jews) became part of the empire around 63 BC

Life and Teachings of Jesus • Born in Bethlehem in Judea • Was a Jew and Roman subject • Carpenter

Jesus’ Message • Monotheistic- one God • God has a personal relationship to each person • Ten Commandments • “Love your neighbor”

Jesus’ Message • Disciples called “Apostles” • Large crowds came to hear him speak • Some people believed him to be the “messiah”- deliverer • More personal than other Roman gods

Jesus’ Death • Jesus visits Jerusalem • Romans mocked him- ‘King of the Jews” • Pontius Pilate- Roman Governor thought he was challenging the authority of Rome • Crucified

Christianity Spreads • Peter- original apostle who traveled to Syria and Palestine • Paul- “Saul”- convert who helped establish the early Christian churches • Message appealed to poor and slaves

Christian Persecution • Christians refused to worship Roman gods

Christian Persecution • Many were crucified, burned, killed by wild animals in circus arenas • “martyrs” for their faith

Christian Persecution • Emperor Galerius”Edict of Toleration 311 AD • Emperor Constantine’s Edict of Milanended persecution

Early Christian Church • Bishop- priest who supervised many local churches • Pope- father or head of the church

The Fathers of the Church • Augustine of Hippo • Wrote book. City of God • “The heavenly city can never be destroyed”

Decline of the Roman Empire • Rome’s economy declines • Rome faces military problems • Roman politics decay • Social changes

Emperors Attempt Reform • Diocletian splits the empire into East and West empires • Easier to rule

Emperors Attempt Reform • Constantine moves the capital • Constantinople

Invaders Overrun the Western Empire • The Huns move into Eastern Europe- “Attila the Hun” • Germanic tribes move into Roman territory

Invaders Overrun the Western Empire- 350 -500 AD

Invaders Overrun the Western Empire- 350 -500 AD

Last Roman Emperor • Romulus Augustulus • 476 AD

Contributing Factors. Political • Political office seen as a burden • Military interference in politics • Civil war and unrest • Widening gap – rich & poor • Constantine moves the capital

Contributing Factors. Economic • Economy declines • Poor harvests • Crushing tax burden • Widening gap- many poor people • Inflation- prices of goods go up

Contributing Factors. Social • Decline in interest in public affairs • Bad morale • Disloyalty, corruption • Widening gap- differences between rich and poor lifestyle

Contributing Factors. Military • Threat from northern European tribes • Low funds for defense • Difficult to recruit soldiersstarted to use mercenaries • Decline in patriotism, loyalty, morale

Greco-Roman Contributions to Western Civilization • Fine Arts- mosaics • Learning and literature • Language- Latin • Architecture, Engineering and Technology- arch • Government and System of Lawrepublic and legal system