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Focus Question. Who is Romulus and Remus…. Ancient Rome & Early Christianity 600 BC to 500 AD. I . Legendary beginnings …. Romulus & Remus , twins raised by a “ she-wolf, ” are legendary founders of Rome.
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Focus Question • Who is Romulus and Remus…
I. Legendary beginnings… • Romulus & Remus, twins raised by a “she-wolf,” are legendary founders of Rome
Cast bronze statue of suckling twins: sons of Mars Capitoline Museum, Rome
II. Geography • Apennine Mts did not divide Italy into many small isolated communities (as in Greece) • Being located near the ocean and on the Tiber River gave easy access to the Mediterranean Sea. • More arable land, mild climate • larger population
II. Geography • Italy is located in the midpoint of the Mediterranean Sea. The Romans could send out ships for trade and war in all directions. • In addition, Rome’s central location between North and South allowed for Rome to govern its Empire easily once it began to expand.
Rome was built… • Along the Tiber River • On 7 hills w/ fertile soil • 18 miles inland from the Med. Sea • Near center of Italian peninsula
“Not without reason did gods and men choose this sport for the site of our city—the salubrious 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, out situation in the very heart of Italy—all these advantages make it of all places in the world the best for a city destined to grow great.” --Livy
III. Latins • Farmer and shepherds who wandered into Italy • They built the first settlement in Rome • Eventually bring all of Italy into close contact with the Greeks
III. Greek Influences • 750 – 500 BC, Greeks colonized southern Italy • Olives • Grapes • Religion (myths & legends) • Same personalities; different names • Commercial centers
III. Etruscan Influences • Alphabet, architecture (especially the use of the arch), metal working, pottery • Early kings of Rome were Etruscan
IV. Rome becomes a republic • Republic established 509 BC • when last Etruscan king was overthrown in 509 BC • Tarquin the proud • Romans voweled to never be ruled by a king again • Republic is born
Patriarchal society • Fathers had power of life and death over their families • Illustrated w/ paintings by Jacques Louis David #1 Lictors returning the bodies of the Sons of Brutus,1789
FYI - Power of the Pater • Brutus, Lucius Junius, nephew of the last Roman King Tarquin the Proud, participated in revolt against his tyranny • Helped establish the republic and was one of the first two Roman consuls • Brutus’ two sons started a conspiracy to restore the monarchy. The plot was foiled and they were convicted and sentenced to death by their father.
Early Republican Virtues • Conservative • Reverence for tradition • Reverence for home, ancestors, gods
Vestal Virgin Tended the sacred flame of Vesta, goddess of the hearth
#2 - Oath of the Horatii • Artist: Jacques David The Oath of Horatii. 1784. Oil on canvas. 330 x 425 cm. Louvre, Paris, France • See speaker note*
Oath of Horatii • detail
Governmental organization see page 143 • Executive – 2 consuls • Elected by assembly, 1 year terms • Legislative • Senate • Centurian Assembly • Tribal Assembly
Roman Senate • 300 men • Controlled public funds & foreign policy & some political appointments • Very powerful until the emperor period
Government organization cont… • Judicial branch • Praetors acted as judges • Legal code • 12 Tables • Citizenship • Adult male landowners
V. Punic Wars 264 – 133 BC • Carthage, center of Phoenician (Punic) trading empire • Commercial threat to Rome • Control of Sicily main issue • Three major wars, Rome won all
Punic Wars – part 1 • Following a naval battle… • Carthage gave Sicily to Rome & paid huge fine • Carthage annexed Spain…
Punic Wars – part 2 • Hannibal took an army w/ war elephants to Italy … for 17 yrs • Rome won by attacking Carthage • Gained Spain as a spoil of war
Hannibal Barca, General of Carthage • Defeated at Battle of Zama • Suicide in 183 in Turkey
Scipio Africanus • Hero of Punic Wars • Defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama
Punic Wars – part 3 • Carthage destroyed in 146 BC • Became province of Africa • Population sold into slavery • City plowed under w/salt
Funeral marker of goddess Tanit (Carthage) • Religion required the sacrifice of eldest child
VI. By 133 BC Rome was master of Mediterranean • Macedonia & the Greek states were annexed • Kingdom of Pergamum was deeded to Rome
Reasons for Rome’s success • Powerful armies were loyal to Rome, not a dictator (nationalism) • Wise treatment of conquered peoples • Ability to move troops quickly
… the results of Rome’s success • #1 Slavery increased • Plantation system developed • Farmers could not compete • No industry developed
… the results of Rome’s success • #2 Farmers moved to cities • Became urban poor • Filled ranks of unemployed • Threat to government