ancient Rome: From THE roman Republic TO THE ROMAN empire TO THE FALL OF ROME

1. ancient Rome: From THE roman RepublicTO THE ROMAN empire TO THE FALL OF ROME Aim: How did ancient Rome rise and fall?

2. Vocabulary • Republic – A form of government in which citizens are allowed to choose their rulers • Empire – When a large number of people or countries are ruled by one person • Peninsula – piece of land almost surrounded by water (like an island), but is attached tp other land on one side • Absolute ruler – a form of government in which one person possesses unlimited power (100% control)

3. Roman Republic The Roman Republic was founded in 509 BC

4. Rome’s geography • Rome is in the very center of the Italian peninsula • Halfway between the Alps in the North and southern tip • On the Mediterranean Sea

5. Cities • The first settlers on the Italian peninsula arrived, and from 1000-500 BC, 3 groups battled for control of the land: • Greeks (South) vs. Latins (middle) vs. Etruscans (North) • The Latins built the first settlement in Rome – considered to be the first Romans • 750 – 600 BC, the Greeks established colonies in Southern Italy and Sicily • These cities became rich from trade and brought all of Italy into closer contact with Greek civilization

6. Laws/Government • The government was run by elected officials called Senators • All free-born (non-slave) male citizens could vote • Power-struggle between patricians and plebeians • Patricians = wealthy landowners with most of the power • Inherited their power and social status • Held authority to make laws • Plebeians = common farmers, artisans, merchants • Could vote, but couldn’t hold important government positions • Eventually formed their own group to protect their own rights and from mistreatment by patricians (tribunes)

7. The Twelve Tables – 451 BC • The plebeians created the first written law code • Established that all free citizens had the right to the protection of the law • They were carved on 12 tablets and hung in the Forum (the political center of Rome) • Because they were written, patrician officials couldn’t take advantage of plebeians by constantly reinterpreting the laws to suit themselves

8. The Twelve Tables

9. Jobs/Social class • Upper Class (Patricians) • Lower Class (Plebeians) • Majority of the population • Farmers, artisans, merchants • Military • All males who own land were expected to serve in the army • Anyone who wanted an official job in politics had to serve in it for10 years

10. Hellenistic culture • Alexander the Great conquered an empire that stretched between Greece and the Indus River Valley in around 323 BC • Hellenistic society: the blending of Greek, Egyptian and Persian cultures Alexander died young, and his empire was divided between his strongest generals

11. Rome spreads its power • Slowly but surely, Rome’s power grew and Roman soldiers conquered new land • By 265 BC, Romans controlled nearly all of Italy • As Rome grew in size, it became more and more unstable • The lower class grew unhappy with their government • The military, as they became less loyal to the land

12. The Roman Republic turns into an Empire • In 60 BC, Julius Caesar (a strong leader and military strategist) took power • He became an absolute ruler (someone who has total power) and called himself “dictator for life”

13. PaxRomana to the Fall of Rome • After Julius Caesar died (he was stabbed), his grandnephew ruled the empire, and the Roman Empire thrived from 27 BC – 180 AD • Pax = Peace • After 180 AD, things fell apart • Emperors continuously dethroned (26 emperors in 50 years!) • Taxes were too high • Farmland was overcultivated • Constant attacks by East Asians (the Huns) and Germans • In 476, Rome officially “fell” to the Germans (but still spoke Latin and followed Roman laws)

14. End • Please take your quiz and fill out your Review Sheet on Ancient Rome! 