Ancient Rome – Basics to Empire

1. Ancient Rome – Basics to Empire Geography, Social Classes, Religion, Government, Expansion, and Empire

2. So… • You know how they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day?” • Well, in this class, it is. • Getcha’ popcorn ready. You’ll be responsible for the underlined words from here on out.

3. Foundations of Rome - Latins • According to myth, Rome was founded in 753 BC by Romulus and Remus, twin sons the god Mars (Ares) and a Latin princess. • Raised by a she-wolf! • Also, Romulus ended up killing Remus (that’s why it’s ROME and not REME. • (insert laughter/hearty chuckling) • In reality, the city is going to be founded by men because of its GEOGRAPHY: strategic location and fertile soil.

4. Geography of Rome • Center of the Italian Peninsula • Few harbors, but 2,000 miles of coastline • Mild, moist climate. Very similar to Greece (Duh, they’re right next to each other).

5. Religion in Rome (Latin) • Polytheistic like most other cultures at this time. • In reality, they just “borrowed” the Greek gods and goddesses. [This, yet again, is an example of cultural diffusion.] Prepare yourselves, I may say this word every day in class. You may dream about it. • Roman Values: discipline, self sacrifice, devotion to family/government.

6. So, they’re a lot like Greeks? • Yes. Yes they are. • Many of the laws, governments, arts, architecture, etc. of Ancient Greece and Rome will be similar. • Also like the Greeks (aka Alexander) they’re going to create a massive empire covering parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. • Look for the similarities and differences!

7. What type of Government? • Early on, Rome was ruled by Etruscan Kings (what type of government?) • When one became a tyrant, the people rose up and got rid of the king in favor of a republic = power rests with citizens who vote for their leaders. • The United States is a republic (senators/representatives) • Why wouldn’t direct democracy work in the United States?]

8. Republican Government:2 Branches (next to patricians) • Executive – Enforce laws across country/empire • Ex. Consuls – commanders-in-chief of the army • Legislative – Senate – foreign and financial policies $$$. • Ex. Senators, Tribal assemblies. • Our ideas in the USA for legislative and executive branches come from here

9. Social Classes • 2 groups are going to struggle for political power. First are the • PATRICIANS: wealthy aristocrats, held most power. • plebeians: commoners; farmers, artisans. Much larger than Patricians, but little power. Citizenship reserved for adult, MALE landowners only. • Eventually, the two classes will create laws that attempt to make both sides happy.

10. Laws – (Insulae) • Tribunes: representatives protecting plebeians • They wanted a written law code so patricians couldn’t change the law for themselves • Twelve Tables: first written law code • All free citizens have a right to the protection of these laws. • Foundation for later laws in Rome and eventually United States law. (Constitution).

11. Spartacus - Slaves • Free entertainment – Colosseum • http://www.history.com/videos/the-fall-of-rome#rome-engineering-an-empire---coliseum

12. Take 30 seconds to… • Work out your hands. I know it’s a lot of writing.

13. Expansion • Like Alexander, Rome is going to expand and conquer other nations while leaving their local customs mostly intact. • How? • Rome has superior army: Legions = organization • Punic Wars = Rome defeats Carthage in a series of wars between the cities from 264 – 146 BC. • 2nd Punic War – The Carthaginian general Hannibal will try and conquer Rome. He wins an incredible battle at Cannae in 216 BC, but eventually loses at Zama near Carthage.

14. Expansion • After defeating Carthage, Rome conquered most of Mediterranean world. • By 70 BC, Rome had essentially made the Mediterranean Sea a Roman lake. • Mare nostrum – “our lake”

15. Problems in the Republic • Write next to Triumvirate • 2 problems: Social Struggles – classes aren’t meshing well • Loyalty to commanders rather than Rome itself. • 1st Triumvirate – Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus. After a civil war, Caesar = 1st dictator of Rome.

16. Julius Caesar

17. Achievements of Caesar • Never lost a war • Invaded Britain • Centralized bureaucracy • Great speaker • Brought many new laws to society

18. Betrayal! • Caesar is assassinated on The Ides of March (March 15) by a group of Senators led by Brutus and Cassius. “Et tu, Brute?”

19. More Drama / Downfall • After Caesar dies, more civil wars break out (Why?) • A 2nd Triumvirate takes power – Octavian, Mark Antony, and Ledipus • Octavian wins, becomes Augustus. This begins the peak of Rome’s Power from 27 BC– 180 AD.

20. 2nd triumvirate

21. PaxRomana – next to Dictator • Literally, peace of Rome, or Roman Peace • Period of Peace and Prosperity. *****

22. Reorganize - Imperator • Augustus hires full time workers, government stability, and one set of laws • What are some ways you would govern a massive empire?

23. Rebuild • Government Projects – builds Appian Way:Roman road/infrastructure. • http://www.history.com/videos/rome-engineering-an-empire---appian-way#rome-engineering-an-empire---appian-way

24. Spartacus - Slaves • Free entertainment – Colosseum • http://www.history.com/videos/the-fall-of-rome#rome-engineering-an-empire---coliseum