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Roman Republic. Looks like a giant boot Sheltered by the Alps to the north (protected from invaders) Slice into the Mediterranean Sea to the south Long coastline made it open to attacks from the sea. Roman Republic. Group of people called the Latin's moved into west-central Italy.
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Looks like a giant boot Sheltered by the Alps to the north (protected from invaders) Slice into the Mediterranean Sea to the south Long coastline made it open to attacks from the sea Roman Republic
Group of people called the Latin's moved into west-central Italy. Built villages along the Tiber River. In time, the villages untied to form Rome. Rome came under the rule of Etruscan Kings from Northern Italy. Romans adopted Etruscan's language Etruscan’s also knew how to pave roads, drain marshes, and construct sewers. Rome grew into a large and wealthy city Roman Republic
Roman Republic • A republic: a form of government in which voters elect officials to run the state. • In Rome only adult male citizens were allowed to vote and take part in the government. • 3 Parts of government: Senate, Magistrates, and Assemblies.
Senate • Most influential and powerful governing body • Controlled public funds and decided foreign policy. • Dictator: absolute ruler. Could rule for up to 6 months during this time he had complete command over the army and the courts
Magistrates Included consuls, praetors, and censors 2 individuals elected to be chief executives or consuls for one year terms Commanded army, ran the government, and could appoint dictators. Could veto the acts of another consul Checks and balances Praetors: helped consuls. In times of war praetors commanded the armies and in times of peace they oversaw the legal system. Censors: registered citizens according to their wealth, appointed candidates to the senate, oversaw moral conduct.
Assemblies • Several assemblies existed in the Roman Republic • Voted on law • Elected officials • Voted to make war or peace • Served on courts • Elected 10 tribunes: speakers who represented the people. Theyhad some power over the actions of the senate and other public officials
Roman Republic • Two classes: • Patricians: powerful landowners who controlled the government. Inherited their power • Plebeians: made up most of the population, were mainly farmers and workers. • At the beginning had very few rights. • Gained the right to join the army, hold government office, form their own assembly, & elect tribunes. • 12 Tables: Romans engraved their laws on tablets. The laws were placed in the public square. Protected the Plebs.
The Republic Grows Romans fought many wars against their neighbors. The Roman Army was superior due to its discipline and organization. Every adult male citizen who owned land was required by law to serve in the Roman army. Major Unit: Legion, consisting of 4,500 to 6,000 citizens Auxilia: units made up of non-citizens
RomanPolicies Rome wanted conquered people to be loyal to Rome. Granted full citizenship to nearby Italian cities Granted partial citizenship to people of more-distant cities. Romans expected conquered peoples to provide land for Roman farmers. Led to spread of Latin language, Roman Law, and other aspects of Roman Culture.
The Punic Wars • 264-202 BC- Series of wars between Rome and Carthage • Carthage- North African city founded by Phoenicians. • First Punic War • Rome- superior army • Carthage- superior navy • Rome gains Sicily- makes it a province (territory outside of Italy) • Second Punic War • Hannibal invades Italy.
Hannibal • Carthaginian general • Invades Italy from the north via the Alps with elephants. • Battle of Cannae • Hannibal pulls back from Rome. • Romans believe he is retreating and follow. • Hannibal surrounds and defeats. • Scipio- Roman general attacks Carthage • Hannibal tries to return home. • Defeats Hannibal at the Battle of Zama.
Destruction of Carthage • Romans burn it because it represented Hannibal. • Survivors sold into slavery. • Becomes a Roman province along with Greece and the Mediterranean
Spartacus • Proclaims war on Rome in attempt to free the slaves. • 2 years of successful revolts • Eventually killed along with 6000 followers.
Julius Caesar • 100-44 B.C. • Early Life • Born to aristocratic family • Legend that he descended from the gods • Appointed to a series of government jobs • Lowered taxes • Spent a great deal of money to win support of poor people.
Julius Caesar • Triumvirate • Alliance with Crassus and Pompey to form the triumvirate (rule of 3) • With the support of Pompey and Crassus Caesar was elected Consul in 59 B.C. • Brought all of Gaul under Roman rule • Crassus died in battle and Pompey became sole Consul • Caesar declared war on the republic • Pompey fled to Greece • Senate declared Caesar dictator for life
Julius Caesar • Increased the senate to 900 members, but reduced its power. • Senators formed a conspiracy against him. • Killed Caesar in the Senate in 44 B.C.
Second Triumvirate • Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus • Antony: led an army to the east re-conquering Syria and Asia Minor then joined Cleopatra in Egypt • Antony and Octavian divided the Roman world • Octavian convinced the Senate to declare war on Cleopatra and Antony • Octavian defeated their fleet
Octavian • Augustus Caesar • Referred to as the first Roman Emperor • Greatly expanded the empire’s frontiers • Stretched from Spain in the west to Syria in the east • Reign of Augustus known as the Pax Romana or “Roman Peace” • Allows Senate to keep some power, but he would retain sole ruler ship.
Government & Law • Kept ordered and enforced the laws • Emperor ran the government • Made all policy decision • Appointed provincial officials • Roman law helped unify the empire • Revised the 12 tables
Trade & Transportation • Encouraged trade • Traded of farm goods and luxury goods. • Agriculture was the most important occupation in the empire. • The Roman army built roads and bridges
The Roman Army • Kept the peace throughout the empire • Stationed in large camps along the frontiers • Men from bordering provinces would enlist in the Roman army and would be promised citizenship at the end of their enlistment.
Daily Life • Rich citizens usually had a city home and a country home. • Many of Rome’s residents lived in multistory apartment houses.
Daily Life • Slaves were among the least fortunate of the empire’s population • Life could be very cruel for slaves. Until the mid second century A.D. there was nothing stopping masters from treating slaves any way they wished. • Few legal rights and were dependent on the good will of their masters.
Daily Life • Family was the heart of the Roman society • Father held most of the power • Made all the important decisions, controlled family property, and conducted religious ceremonies. • Mother managed the household • Women could also own property and accept inheritance. • Women couldn’t hold public office • Fun and Games: • Gladiators Combat between trained fighters
Daily Life • Religion (Early Romans) • Wanted to achieve harmony with the Gods • Family worship focused on the Vesta, the spirit who guarded the fire & hearth. • Religion (Roman Empire) • State Religion • Old family religion • temples, ceremonies, and processions • Promote patriotism and loyalty to the state • Many gods and goddesses
Science and Arts • Galen: for centuries was thought to be the greatest authority on medicine. • Ptolemy: people accepted his theories of astronomy for nearly 1,500 years. • Roman engineers were masters at building roads, bridges, arenas, and public buildings. • Aqueducts: bridge like structures that carry water. • Concrete most important contribution of Roman architects.
Beginning of Christianity • Romans allowed people in the provinces to practice their different religions as long as the people honored the gods of Rome and the “divine spirit” of the emperor.
Jews and the Roman Empire • Most Jews lived in Judaea • At first Jews were not required to honor Roman Gods or the “divine spirit”, because the emperor didn’t want to violate the Jewish belief in one God. • 66A.D. the Jews revolted against Rome. • Result: Romans attacked the Jewish holy city of Jerusalem and destroyed all but the western wall of the Second Temple.
Jews and the Roman Empire • With the temples gone the priests’ role weakened. • Rabbis: Jewish scholars who interpreted scripture and became the leaders of Jewish congregations. • Roman Army under Hadrian brutally put down the last Jewish revolt. • Hadrian banned all Jews from the holy city of Jerusalem.
The Teachings of Jesus • New religion founded by: Jesus of Nazareth • Began teachings around 27 A.D. • Life and teachings recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. First 4 books of the New Testament of the Christian Bible. • Teachings were grounded in Jewish traditions • Only one true God • Promised forgiveness and eternal life
The death of Jesus • Romans paid little attention to Christianity at first then began to see it as a threat to society • Romans feared that Jesus would lead an uprising. • Jesus was arrested and put on trial before Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor • Jesus was crucified • Called him Jesus Christ after the Greek word for Messiah- Christos
Spread of Christianity • Jesus' disciples set out to spread the message mainly in the Jewish communities of Palestine • Rome recognized that Christians were different. • Romans outlawed Christianity. Occasionally seized Christian property and executed Christians. • Martyrs: they were put to death for their beliefs.
Romans Adopt Christianity • Roman law accepted Christianity as a religion. • Roman Emperor Constantine declared his support for Christianity • Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the empire. • Within 400 years Christianity had spread throughout the Roman Empire.
Roman Adopts Christianity • Priests conduct local ceremonies • Above priests were Bishops headed the church in each city • Patriarchs bishops of empire cities • Pope: supreme power over the Patriarchs. • Peter considered first pope
Two Emperors Attempt Reform • Diocletian • A General in the Roman Army • Made Emperor in 284AD • Realized that the empire had grown too large for one person to manage. • He ruled in the East and his Co-emperor ruled in the west • Government controlled every aspect of life. • Defense and security of the empire came first • Individual freedom came second.
Two Emperors Attempt Reform • Civil war broke out • In the end the sole emperor was Constantine • Supported Christianity throughout the empire. • Created a new capital city in the east Constantinople • Empire stable for 50 more years • Two empires East and West • East became the center of power and wealth
The Final Invasions • The threat of invasion from the north and south never disappeared • Goths and Vandals • Goths revolted in 378AD • The heavily armed Goths crushed the Roman army • Goths allowed to settle in the empire under their own leaders. • In return the Goths joined the Roman Army
Final Invasions • Peace was short lived the Visigoths sacked Rome • Vandals crossed the border without conflict • Sacked Rome in 455AD • Huns: Nomadic people from Asia who lived by raiding and plundering. • The Huns led an attack on Gaul. Romans won but it was too late to save the Western Empire. • Romulus Augustus was the last Roman Emperor in the West.
Decline • West Empire slowly declined • East Empire remained until 1453AD • Causes: • German Invasions • Economic and political decline • Division of Empire • Growing division between rich and poor • Military weakness
