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The Foundations of Rome: Geography, Mythology, and Influence

Explore the origins of Rome through its geography, founding myth, and cultural influences such as Greek architecture, mythology, philosophy, pottery, science, theater, and writing. Understand how Etruscan engineering, metalworking, sculpture, social organization, and sporting events shaped early Roman life, leading to the establishment of the Roman Republic.

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The Foundations of Rome: Geography, Mythology, and Influence

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  1. Chapter Six: The Roman Republic

  2. Origins of Rome • According to legend, founded in 753 BCE by Romulus & Remus What does this founding myth say about Rome?

  3. Not without reason did gods and men choose this spot for the site of our city-the hills, the river to bring us produce from the inland regions and sea-borne commerce from abroad, the sea itself, near enough for convenience yet not so near as to bring danger from foreign fleets, our situation in the very hear of Italy-all these advantages make it of all places in the world the best for a city destined to grow great. Livy, The Early History of Rome What were the Advantages of Rome’s Geography?

  4. The First Romans • Latins, Greeks Etruscans all settled & fought for control of Italian Peninsula • Latins built first true settlement- considered 1st Romans

  5. Greek Influence • Between 750-600 BCE Greeks established colonies along southern Italy & Sicily • Prosperous, commercial • Established strong connection to Greek culture

  6. Greek Coinage • Greeks borrowed idea of using coins from Asia Minor • Silver, bronze, electrum • More efficient • Scenes of gods, goddesses, sporting events What images are on our coins?

  7. Greek Monumental Buildings • Temples made of marble • Designed to represent Mt. Olympus • Inspired awe • Classical Greek values of harmony and proportion Parthenon How did Greek architecture influence Roman architecture? Pantheon

  8. Greek Mythology • Functioned as religion • Conducted elaborate rituals & sacrifices to ensure favor • Controlled all aspects of life: • founding of cities • healing the sick • winning battles How did Greek mythology influence Roman religion?

  9. Major premise: All B is A.Minor premise: All C is B.Conclusion: All C is A. All Greeks are mortal.Socrates is Greek.Socrates is mortal. Or, Major premise: All birds flyMinor premise: Hawks are birds.Conclusion: Hawks fly. Greek Philosophy • “love of wisdom” • Tutors & students held symposia-discussed natural world • Began as branch of science • Developed into system of logic by Aristotle

  10. Greek Pottery • Valued for beauty & usefulness • Black figures on red backgrounds • Red figures on black backgrounds • Greater detail in the figures

  11. Greek Science • Studied stars, music, math • Pythagoras believed numbers & formulas controlled universe • Pythagorean Theorem measured triangles • Musical notes have progression

  12. Greek Theater • Developed from religious rites • Honored the gods • Asked for successful harvest • Evolved into festivals of song & dance each spring • Dramas were outdoors in center of city • Actors wore masks, music, costume changes & scenery

  13. Greek Writing • Written in all capital letters • Laws & treaties carved into plaques made of stone or bronze • Posted in public squares • Personal writing was on papyrus

  14. Etruscan Architecture Piers=pillar like bases Keystone Voussoirs=wedge-shaped stones Used for gates, Bridges, drains. How did Etruscan engineering influence Rome?

  15. Etruscan Engineering • Long trench cut underground • vertical shafts dug downward to meet it • irrigated land by diverting water from a stream • Used to drain water from very wet soil, • carried water to cities How did Etruscan engineering influence Roman life?

  16. Etruscan Government Fasces • Monarchy • Bundle of sticks w/ ax • Emblem of royal power • Bundle of Sticks = Unity • Ax = execute lawbreakers or anyone who threatened Roman Peace

  17. Etruscan Metalworking • Used copper, lead, iron, tin, silver, gold, bronze • Tools, drinking vessels • Urns, statues • helmets

  18. Etruscan Sculpture • Realistic • Did not glorify human subjects • Life size stone figures created for tombs of wealthy

  19. Etruscan Social Organization • Etruria made up of city-states, ruled by king • Wealthy lived on large estates • Farmed, owned mines • Men/women fairly equal • Literate • Dressed in togas • Ate together at banquets

  20. Etruscan Sporting Events • Developed from funeral practices & hunting large animals • Gladiator combat came from funeral rituals • Chariot racing began at Olympics in Greece How did Etruscan sporting event influence Roman life?

  21. The Early Republic • Around 600 BCE, Etruscan king became king of Rome • Villages grew became larger cities • First temples & public centers-the Forum-constructed The Roman Forum: The Heart of Roman Political Life

  22. Early Roman Republic • Romans drove out harsh Etruscan ruler, Tarquinius in 509 BCE • Set up republic form of government • No one person could become too powerful

  23. What is a Republic? • Government in which power rests with citizens who vote for leaders • In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was granted only to free-born male citizens How did Rome’s government compare to Greece?

  24. The Senate: Who were Patricians? • Landowners, oldest & richest families • Inherited power & social status • Held public office • Performed religious rituals • 300 members • Served life terms • Claimed ancestry gave them authority to make laws

  25. Who were Plebeians? • Poorer citizens • Paid taxes & served in army • Lived in apartments • Could not marry patricians • Could not hold office • If in debt, could be sold into slavery

  26. Who were Consuls? • Two consuls-Chosen each year • Headed the Republic • Worked w/ Senate • Administrators/Military leaders • Each could veto acts of other • Both had to agree before law was passed • In charge of treasury • Commanders in chief of army when at war • Elected by Patricians

  27. Did Rome have a dictator? • chosen during crisis • complete control • ruled for 6 mos • Cincinnatus most admired dictator • George Washington called “Cincinnatus of the West” Cincinnatus Washington

  28. How did Plebeians Gain Rights? • Went on strike • Tribunes elected to represent Plebeians • Veto power: blocked laws harmful to Plebeian class • Forced Patricians to respect lower class

  29. The Senate • 300 chosen for life • Handled daily running of government • Advised consuls • Discussed foreign relations • Proposed laws • Approved public contracts for building roads & temples

  30. Other Government Officials? • Judges, Tribunes, Assemblies • Tribunes protected rights of plebeians • All citizens belonged to assembly • Assembly made war & peace

  31. Citizens

  32. Roman Law: The Twelve Tables • In 450 BCE, plebeians forced Patricians to write laws in stone & place in Forum • Protection of law applied to all-plebeians & patricians • Innocent until proven guilty • Accused allowed to face accusers & defend themselves • Judges interpret law-make fair decisions • People have rights that no government can take away • Foundation for all future Roman Laws & basis of all Western Law & US Civil Rights

  33. Roman Law • Laws from the Twelve Tables • Females shall remain in guardianship even when they have attained their majority (except Vestal Virgins). • A spendthrift is forbidden to exercise administration over his own goods. • It is permitted to gather fruit falling down on another man's farm. • If any person has sung or composed against another person a song such as was causing slander or insult to another, he shall be clubbed to death. • Quickly kill ... a dreadfully deformed child.

  34. The Roman Army: • Highly valued • All landowning citizens required to serve • Organized into legions (infantry) • Cavalry supported them

  35. Roman Army: Legions • well-trained, well fed, state-of the art • citizen-soldiers • Legion- 3,000-5,000 foot soldiers • Loyal, courageous, fearless • Technology/weapons-the corbiss • 270 BCE Rome dominated peninsula • SPQR acronym (The Senate & People of Rome)

  36. Rome Spreads Its Power • By 265, controlled Italian Peninsula • Defeated Etruscans & Greeks • Tolerant toward conquered peoples • Imposed different laws & treatment for different parts of conquered territory • Some full citizenship • Others partial-no voting rights • Others became allies of Rome • Tolerant policies helped Rome expand

  37. Expansion in Italy: Conquered Lands • Treated people fairly • Conquered peoples forced to: • Honor the Senate • Pay taxes • Supply soldiers for Rome’s legions

  38. Expansion in Italy: Conquered Lands • Rome’s promise to conquered peoples: • Keep customs • Keep form of money • Keep local government

  39. Expansion in Italy: Conquered Peoples • Respected local culture • Granted full citizenship to some peoples • Usually gained the full support of conquered people • Not the Jews

  40. Expansion in Italy: Protection & Unification • Roman legions placed in conquered lands • Needed to make troop movement easily • Soldiers/slaves built roads • Increased trade • Spread Roman culture • Latin incorporated

  41. Rome’s Commercial Success • Central location gave easy access to regions around Mediterranean • Traded wine, olive oil for food, raw materials, manufactured goods

  42. Winning an Empire: Rivalry w/ Carthage City-state on coast of N. Africa settled by Phoenicians • Modern day Tunis • Dominated trade in Mediterranean • Jealous of Rome’s expansion • Worried Rome would become better traders

  43. Wars with Carthage: Punic Wars264-146 BCE • Series of wars • Punic = Latin for punicus (Phoenician) • Carthaginian General • HamilcarBarca • Great leader & general of 1st Punic War • Sworn enemy of Rome

  44. Wars with Carthage: Punic Wars264-146 BCE • Hannibal Barca • Son of Hamilcar • Brilliant military leader • Took oath at age 9 to destroy Rome • Became leader & general of Carthage after Hamilcar’s death

  45. Wars with Carthage: 1st Punic War(264-241 BCE) • Fought over control of Sicily • Carthage great naval power • Rome had no navy but built a fleet • Rome won Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia • Carthage humiliated-forced to surrender its entire treasury • forced to agree to keep ships out of Roman waters

  46. 2nd Punic War(218 – 201 BCE) • Hannibal wanted revenge • From Spain, marched army w/ elephants through Pyrenees, across France, over Alps into Northern Italy • Tremendous losses but gained new recruits from tribes he encountered that feared Rome • Surprised Rome, conquered most of Northern peninsula • Could not conquer Rome itself

  47. 2nd Punic War(218 – 201 BCE) • Hannibal’s armies kill 20% of Rome’s population-cannot defeat Rome • Scipio launches a brilliant counterattack on Carthage • Hannibal forced to return to Carthage to defend • Carthage defeated at battle of Zama

  48. 2nd Punic War(218 – 201 BCE) • Peace treaty ends the 2nd Punic War • Carthage gives up all land claims on Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica • Massive tribute (penalty taxes) paid • Rome recognized as master of the Mediterranean Sea

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