Ancient Rome and Early Christianity

Ancient Rome and Early Christianity 500 BC – 500 AD Ch 6

The Roman Republic Sec 1

What do you know about Rome?

Objectives • Describe the formation of the Roman Republic and the spread of its influence • Understand the importance of the Twelve Tables

Origins of Rome • Legend says that the city was founded by Romulus and Remus, twin sons of Mars and a Latin princess • The twins were abandoned as infants and raised by a she-wolf

Geography • Rome was built on 7 rolling hills at a curve on the Tiber River, near the center of the Italian peninsula • Midpoint between the Alps and Italy’s southern tip

First Romans • The earliest settlers in Italy arrived in pre-historic times • From 1000 BC – 500 BC 3 groups inhabited the region and fought for control

Latins • Latins –built the original settlement at Rome, a cluster of wooden huts atop one of the 7 hills

Greeks • Greeks- established colonies along southern Italy and Sicily • Brought all of Italy, including Rome, into closer contact with Greek civilization

Etruscans • Etruscans- natives to northern Italy who were skilled metalworkers and engineers • Influenced through their alphabet and architecture like the arch

The Early Republic • Around 600 BC an Etruscan became king of Rome • In following decades Rome grew from a collection of hilltop villages to a city that covered nearly 500 square miles • The last king of Rome, Tarquin the Proud, was a harsh tyrant who was driven from power in 509 BC

Republic • The Romans declare they would never be ruled by a king again • The Romans established a republic, form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders • Citizenship with voting rights was granted only to free-born male citizens

Patricians and Plebians • Different groups struggled for power in the early republic • Patricians- wealthy landowners who held most of the power • Inherited power and social status • Plebeians- common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up the majority of the population • Barred by law from holding the highest government positions

Tribunes • Tribunes- political body elected by the plebeians that protected them from unfair acts of patrician officials

Twelve Tables • Twelve Tables- written laws hung in the Forum that established the idea that all free citizens had a right to the protection of the law

Government • Mix of monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy • Consuls- 2 people who directed the army and government like kings. • Limited to a one year term • Senate- 300 aristocratic lawmakers who were chosen from the upper class of Roman society • Dictator- leader with absolute power that could be appointed to power for 6 months in times of distress

Roman Army • Great value was placed on the military • All citizens who owned land were required to serve • Roman soldiers were organized into legions- large military units made up of 5000 foot soldiers • Each legion was supported by cavalry, soldiers on horseback • Legions were divided into centuries, made up of 80 men

Rome Spread its Power • By 265 BC Rome conquered the Etruscans to the north and the Greek city-states to the south • Kept a lenient policy towards conquered states. • Closest to Rome became full citizens • Territories that were farther became citizens except for the right to vote • All others became allies who were left alone as long as they supplied troops to the army

Rome’s Commercial Network • Rome’s location gave it easy access to the Mediterranean Sea • Merchants moved by land and sea • They traded wine and olive oil for a variety of foods, raw materials, and manufactured goods from other lands

War with Carthage • Punic Wars- 3 wars between Rome and Carthage from 264 BC to 146 BC • The first war resulted in control of Sicily for Rome

Hannibal • Hannibal- Carthaginian general and brilliant military strategist who fought against Rome • Army consisted of 50,000 men, 9,000 cavalry, and 60 elephants • Led his men across the Alps to surprise the Romans • Initially worked but was never able to take Rome

Rome Triumphs • Romans decided to attack Carthage and force Hannibal to defend his home city • In 202 BC Hannibal was defeated at Zama near Carthage • During the Third Punic War, Rome laid siege to Carthage • The city was burned at all 50,000 inhabitants were sold into slavery

The Roman Empire Sec 2

What kind of government did Rome have?

Collapse of the Republic • The republican government grew more unstable as the empire got bigger • As Rome grew the gap between rich and poor got bigger • Small farmers could not compete with rich landowners who owned huge estates run by slaves • Many farmers were forced to sell their land and move to cities to look for work

Civil War • Civil War- conflict between groups within the same country • Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus attempted to help Rome’s poor by proposing reforms but were both assassinated

Military Upheaval • As the republic grew more unstable generals began taking power for themselves • They recruited soldiers by promising them land and pay • Soldiers were now loyal to their commanders and not the republic

Julius Caesar • Julius Caesar- Roman military leader who became dictator for life in 44 BC • In 60 BC, Caesar joined forces with Crassus and Pompey • With their help, Caesar was elected consul in 59 BC • For the next 10 years they dominated Rome as a triumverate- group of 3 rulers

Julius Caesar • After his 1 year as consul, Caesar appointed himself governor of Gaul (France) • From 58-50BC, he led his men in a successful campaign to conquer all of Gaul • Victories in Gaul earned him respect and loyalty of his troops and the people of Rome

Caesar vs. Pompey • In 50 BC, at Pompey’s urging, the Senate ordered Caesar to disband his legions and return home • In January 49 BC, Caesar marched his army to Rome and Pompey fled • After defeating Pompey’s army in Greece, Asia, Spain, and Egypt, Caesar returned to Rome

Caesar’s Rule • In 46 BC Julius Caesar was named dictator and in 44 BC he was named dictator for life • Caesar governed as an absolute ruler, one who has total power

Ancient Rome and Early Christianity