Ch 5 1 The Roman World Takes Shape

Ch. 5 -1 The Roman World Takes Shape

Roman Civilization Arises in Italy » Rome is near the center of Italy » Location was good for expansion » Rome was protected

Unifying the Lands of Italy » Italy was easier to unify then was Greece » Mountains are not as big » There are not as many valleys » Fertile land to the north and west, promoted population growth

Early Peoples Settle Italy » 800 B. C. Latins migrated to Italy » Settled near Tiber River » Lived as herders and farmers » Legend says it was found by Romulus and Remus » Others around: » Greek Colonist » Etruscans » Carthaginians

The Romans Establish a Republic » Romans drove out Etruscan rulers 509 B. C. » Founding of the Roman state which lasted 500 years » People chose some officials » Romans believed that a republic would keep one person from getting too much power

Structuring the Republic » Senate made the laws » 300 patricians, or land-holding upper class » Senators nominated two consuls » Supervise business and command army » Limited time and two of them = checks and balance » During War » Elect a dictator » Ruled for 6 months » Like Cincinnatus did = like George Washington

Plebeians Fight for Their Rights » Plebeians = farmers, merchants, and artisans had rights but little influence » Eventually gained the right to elect tribunes » Tribunes were to protect plebeians interest » Could veto bad laws » 450 B. C. go the right to appeal a patrician judges decision

Romans Leave a Lasting Legacy » Common people gained access to power without actually going to war » 2, 000 years later, many parts were adopted to the U. S. Constitution » Senate, the veto, and checks on political power

Characterizing Roman Society » Family was important » Male was the head of the household » Women again followed the men

The Role of Women Changes Over Time » Roman women played a larger role then did Greek Women » Could own property, could run businesses, but most women worked at home » Patrician women » Went out for diner, went to public baths, and attended theatre

Romans Educate Most Children » Girls and Boys for the upper and lower classes learned to read and write » Some hired private tutors, often Greeks

Roman Mythology and Religion » Believed in many gods and goddesses » Greeks = Zeus - Romans = Jupiter » Greek = Hera - Romans = Juno » Greek = Poseidon - Romans = Neptune

Citizen-Soldiers Make Up the Roman Army » Basic unit was a legion = 5, 000 men » First, fought for no pay » Eventually got a stipend » Show courage = gifts » Run away = death

Roman Is Just With Conquered Lands » Conquered had to pay taxes, supply soldiers, and acknowledge Roman leadership » Some given full citizenship » Others partial » Allowed to keep customs, money and local government

Maintaining the State » Built roads » Posted soldiers throughout the land » Many brought Latin into their languages » Adopted many Roman customs and beliefs » Italy began to unite under Roman rule