The Beginning of Rome 7 Hills of Rome

The Beginning of Rome

7 Hills of Rome • The Latins settled in the area of the 7 Hills between 1000 BC and 850 BC

The Legend of Rome • Romulus and Remus were twin boys born to a princess named Rhea Silvia. Their father was the fierce Roman god of war, Mars. • The boys were found by a she-wolf. The wolf cared for them and protected them. • A shepherd found the boys home and raised them as his own children. • They had a contest to see who could build a better city. • Remus was jealous of Romulus' city and made fun of it. Romulus became angry and killed Remus. • Romulus named his city Rome after himself.

The Legend of Rome

The Palatine • Rome was built on the Palatine Hill between 800 BC and 700 BC • The Palatine Hill became a center for trade

The Etruscans • Settled near the Latins around 900 BC • Took control of Rome between 700 BC and 600 BC • Romans adopted Etruscan gods, the Greek alphabet, and the toga. • Etruscan kings ruled Rome and the Latins for over 100 years

The Romans and Etruscans The Romans adopted many ideas, beliefs and customs from the Etruscans including • Architecture- the arch for building bridges • Sewers • Language – the Etruscan alphabet • Gladiator games- Etruscan funeral custom • Triumph- A parade for a returning hero • Religion- Polytheism and oracles

The Beginning of the Republic • Around 616 BC, Lucius Tarquinius was the Etruscan king who took control of Rome and the Latins • Around 509 BC, the Romans defeated the Etruscans and took control of their city • They created a form of government called a republic where citizens had the right to vote for their leaders • By 264 BC, the Roman Republic controlled all of the Italian peninsula

The Republic • Patricians- The rich: 20% of the population • Plebeians- Farmers, Artisans, Merchants and the Poor: 80% of the population • Patrician & Plebeian men were the citizens of Rome • Citizens had to pay taxes, serve in the military, could make legal contracts (for things like business), and could marry

Government of the Republic • The Senate was the most powerful part of the government. • It made laws • There were 300 Senators who were all Patrician men • Two Consuls were elected each year by the citizens of Rome to lead the government. Their main power was to veto a law made by the Senate. • In an emergency, a Dictator was elected to rule for 6 months. • Praetors were elected officials who worked as judges.

The Twelve Tables • • • Patricians were the wealthy upper class Plebeians were the working lower class Plebeians greatly outnumbered the Patricians Plebeians were the ones who served in the army Plebeians felt the Senate was unfair to them and refused to continue to serve in the army until changes were made • Senate created the Twelve Tables, a list of laws that applied to all citizens, Patrician or Plebeian • Copies were posted all over Rome

One of the 12 Tables