The Three Periods of Ancient Rome The Roman

The Three Periods of Ancient Rome: The Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire.

Academic Concepts: 1 – Ancient Rome had three periods: The Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire. We will look at an overview of the three periods with a focus on change over time. 2 – Rome grew and became strong because Romans were willing to work together and agree upon rules or treaties to keep peace.

Gospel Principles The Lord asks us to work hard and become self-reliant. He also expects us to work together, show respect for others and practice charity. Scripture: “See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength” (Mosiah 4: 27). “And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. ” 2 Nephi 2: 26

Vocabulary Words Vocabulary: Self sufficient, self reliant, kingdom, republic, empire. Assignment: Write the meaning of these words in your notebook. Record them for future reference.

The Need for Order War has always been a part of settlement as leaders and their men fought over land ruled their neighbors by power. According to legend, Romulus invited the neighboring Sabine’s to a feast wherein the Romans seized the Sabine women for eventual control of their land. Ultimately, a compromise was reached in which Rome was ruled alternately by Roman and Sabine kings. The first period started in 753 BC and is called the Roman Kingdom. Romulus was a king. Rome was ruled by kings for over 200 years. Many of these kings came from the Etruscan people who lived north of Rome. About 510 BC the people of Rome became angry with their kings and rebelled. They created a government based on law, or a republic. This was the beginning of the period of time called the Roman Republic. It lasted almost 500 years. During these years Rome grew to cover all of Italy, and parts of southern Europe and northern Africa.

Cooperation and Order The laws of the republic were meant to keep any single person from gaining too much power. However struggles within the empire soon led to divisions among the people. Popular leaders gained power and became strong dictators. The final period of Roman history began with Julius Caesar, the first of these leaders. He came to power around 44 BC, causing the fall of the republic and the rise of the third period, the Roman Empire. It eventually included almost all of Europe.

The Roman Kingdom Last week we learned of the influence of surrounding cultures. The Etruscans, Rome’s neighbors to the north, helped transform Rome from a village to a city. The Etruscans gave Rome the alphabet they had learned from the Greeks and new political organizations. The traditional Etruscan symbols of power, bundles of rods and axes, were carved on large stone public buildings to indicate industry and hard work. Under the influence of Etruscan kings, Rome grew from a cluster of hilltop farms to the undisputed leader of large sections of land extending from the Alban Hills in the east to the mouth of the Tiber River in the west. After nearly a century, the Roman Republic was born.

Birth of the Republic Latin cities joined Rome and threw off the yoke of Etruscan political power and retained only their strong cultural influence. By the 5 th century BC, Rome was an important influence in the area but not a major regional power. Through minor wars and major military successes, Rome controlled the whole of the Italian peninsula either from alliance or conquest. By the middle of the 3 rd century, Rome had become the ruler of a great Mediterranean empire. The provinces brought great wealth and power to Rome’s leaders and to its people.

The Roman Empire This period of Roman history is identified by the government being ruled by an emperor whose total leadership amassed large territorial holdings around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Minor. Political infighting within the government made the Roman government unstable. The appointment of Julius Caesar as perpetual dictator in 44 BC changed the seat of power from the Roman Senate to an autocratic Emperor. Future dictators ruled the Empire until it ultimately split into three competing factions; the Gallic Empire, the Palmyrene Empire and the Roman Empire proper. These changes in ruling power were caused by foreign invasions and economic depression. During its tenure, the Roman Empire was the most powerful economic, cultural, political and military force in the world. It was the largest empire of the Classical antiquity period, and the eighteenth largest empire in world history. At the height of its power the Roman Empire covered roughly 6. 8 million square miles and its leaders ruled over nearly 70 million people, about 21% of the world's entire population at the time. The greatness of the Roman Empire ensured the lasting influence of Latin and Greek language, culture, religion, inventions, architecture, philosophy, law and differing forms of government throughout modern history.

Stories of Early Rome Stories of early Rome have been passed on orally in songs and fables until they were finally written down centuries later. Some of these stories have a mythic quality and often with contradictory versions. Yet they are treasures that illuminate the values that the Romans treasured through the centuries. Romans regarded themselves as highly “moral” people and wanted to follow the values of their ancestors. The literary power of the story was more important than accuracy. In antiquity all Roman writers were usually wealthy men who lived in cities. They were more concerned with recording the substance of a speech rather than recording it word for word.

Polybius (200 -118) A Greek historian and noted for his work, The Histories, which covered the period of 264– 146 BC in detail. The work describes the rise of the Roman Republic to 'world power'. As city states that became empires, Rome and Carthage found it necessary to formalize their financial interests and physical areas of influence. Their differences were more manageable through treaties between the two empires. The first of their four treaties was signed in 509 BC the year Rome was founded. These treaties provided tolerance and order between these two empires for centuries.

First Treaty between Rome and Carthage “There shall be friendship between the Romans and their allies, and the Carthaginians and their allies, on these conditions: Neither the Romans nor their allies are to sail beyond the Fair Promontory, unless driven by stress of weather or the fear of enemies. If any of them be driven ashore he shall not buy or take anything for himself save what is needful for the repair of his ship and the service of the gods, and he shall depart within five days. Men landing for traffic shall strike no bargain save in the presence of a herald or town clerk. Whatever is sold in the presence of these, let the price be secured to the seller on the credit of the state-that is to say, if such sale be Libya or Sardinia. If any Roman comes to the Carthaginian province in Sicily, he shall enjoy all rights enjoyed by others. The Carthaginians shall do no injury to the people of Ardea, Antium, Laurentium, Circeii, Tarracina, nor any other people of the Latins that are subject to Rome. From those townships even which are not subject to Rome they shall hold their lands; and if they take one, shall deliver it unharmed to the Romans. They shall build no fort in Latium; and if they enter the district in arms, they shall not stay a night therein. ”

Discussion Reason: In what ways do you see wisdom in this treaty? What are the benefits to both sides? What council benefits friendship and order between the Romans and the Carthaginians? Relate: What rules do you have to create order in your home? Name two commandments you live by that make your relationships with your friends and your family better. How does being obedient to the commandments help you to progress? What difference do they make in your life, in the lives of your family members and to your friends? How do rules and agreed upon directions create order and provide for greater success in society and in your family?