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The Roman World Unit One
The Roman World: Overview Our study of the Roman World will examine the rise of the Roman Empire, the society and culture at the height of the empire, and the rise of Christianity. Finally, we will conclude our study of the Roman World by closely exploring the decline of Roman power and analyzing the fall of the Roman Empire. • Rise of the Roman Empire • Roman Society and Culture • Rise of Christianity • Fall of the Roman Empire
The Roman World: Focus Questions • How have global civilizations organized and grown throughout history to 1550? • Why do empires rise and fall? • What factors led to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire?
Impact of Geography on Rome:Identify 1 geographic feature & propose how it might impact the culture of Rome
The Geography of Rome Rome was located on the Italian peninsula along the Mediterranean Sea The Romans were influenced by the Greeks & neighboring Etruscans
Rise of the Roman Empire Section One
Discussion: Based upon this image, what government system does the Roman government resemble? Why?
Roman Government • Rome was originally ruled by kings • In 509 BC Romans created a republic • REPUBLIC: government in which citizens have the power to elect their leaders
Governing Bodies in Rome • Senate: most important & powerful with 300 members • Controlled public funds and made foreign policy decisions • Could propose a dictator in times of emergency • Popular Assemblies: several groups with citizens who voted on law and elected officials • Magistrates: Public officials who governed in the name of Rome
The most important feature of the republic was the Senate, whose 300 members were elected by citizens to make laws & taxes
Roman Consuls • Two Consuls were elected for one-year terms and served as chief executives • Had veto power over acts of the other person • VETO: refuse to approve • Governed with advice of Senate – an example of the principle of checks and balances to prevent any one part of the government from becoming too powerful
Roman Officials • Romans elected PRAETORS: officials who help the consuls who commanded armies and oversaw the legal system • Every 5 years, for 18 months, CENSORS were elected: officals who registered citizens according to wealth
The Conflict of the Orders • Roman society was divided into 2 social classes: PATRICIANS: powerful aristocratic class organized into clans PLEBEIANS: all other citizens • Patricians kept power through a system of patronage • Plebeians were discriminated against but gradually increased their own power
Twelve Tables • In 450 BC, Romans engraved laws on tablets known as the Twelve Tables • Placed in the Forum for everyone to see • By 300 BC, distinction between nobility and the less wealthy became less important
By the 3rd century B.C., the Romans conquered the Italian peninsula & began to exert power in the Mediterranean world But, the growth of Rome threatened Carthage, the superpower of the Mediterranean world
In a series of battles known as the Punic Wars, Rome defeated Carthage & began the dominant power in the Mediterranean
After the Punic Wars, Rome conquered new territories & gained great wealth One of the generals who led Rome’s expansion was a politician named Julius Caesar
First Triumverate • By 133 BC, the Republic was facing problems • Julius Caesar began to gain widespread popularity • Caesar joined with Gaius Pompey and Licinius Crassus in 60 BC and formed the First Triumverate
Julius Caesar • Became Consul in 59 BC • Spent the next 10 years bringing Gaul under Roman rule • In 49 BC, Caesar marched on Rome • Gaius Pompey and his followers fled to Greece • Caesar traveled to Egypt and put Cleopatra on the throne • In 46 BC, Caesar returned to Rome & in 44 BC, Senate named him Dictator for life
“Et tu, Brute?” • Initiated reforms • Some envied his new status and on March 15, 44 BC, he was stabbed to death on the senate floor
The assassination led to another civil war led by Caesar’s grand-nephew Octavian &his best general, Marc Antony
Second Triumvirate Octavian, Marc Antony, and Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate in 43 BC. Octavian and Antony divided the Roman world – Octavian took the west and Antony took the east. Antony went to Egypt and joined with Cleopatra.
The Revered One • Octavian declared war on Antony & Cleopatra • In 31 BC, Octavia defeated their fleet & captured Alexandria • In 27 BC, Senate titled him Augustus, meaning “the revered one” • The first Roman Emperor • Roman state became the Roman Empire
The Julio-Claudians • Augustus died in 14 AD • For next 54 years, Caesar’s relatives ruled the empire • Nero was the last Julio-Claudian emperor, from 54 to 68 AD
The Good Emperors • After Nero’s death, a number of different emperors ruled Rome • Series of 5 emperors, known as the Good Emperors ruled for almost 100 years, until 96 AD
Roman Society & Culture Section Two
Government & The Provinces The period of time from Augustus’ reign to the death of Aurelius, 27 BC through 180 AD, is known as the PaxRomana, or “Roman Peace.” • Roman government provided unifying force • Provinces were governed honorably • Romans constructed many new cities • AQUADUCTS: bridge-like structures that carried water from the mountains
Roman Law • Unifying factor • Twelve Tables were changed to address needs of the huge empire • Development of the belief that certain basic legal principles apply to all humans
Roman Army • Augustus restored the Roman Army • PRAETORIAN GUARD: small, elite force kept in Rome to protect the Emperor
Trade & Transportation • Agriculture was the primary occupation • Olive and wine products were exported • COLONUS: tenant farmer who replaced slaves on large estates • Opportunities for commerce • Trade with Asia and India increased • 50,000 miles of highway was built to link cities to Rome
Living Conditions Patricians Plebeians Majority Ate 3 simple meals each day Most were artisans and farmers • Luxurious living • City and Country homes • Lots of time for leisure
Amusements • Theater – comedy and satire • Chariot racing at Circus Maximus • Events at the Colosseum, including gladiator combat
Science, Engineering & Architecture Applied scientific knowledge from the Greeks. They planned cities, built water and sewage systems and improved farming. The biggest contribution was from Roman architects with their use of concrete in constructing large buildings
Education • Boys and girls entered school at age 7 to study basic subjects • After age 13, only boys continued with school
Literature & Language • Development of art and literature was encouraged • Great poets included Virgil and Ovid • Today, we use the Roman or Latin alphabet of 23 letters plus J, U, and W
Rise of Christianity Section Three
The area of Palestine called Canaan was the ancient home of the Hebrews, later called the Jews.
Origins of Judaism The history, legends and moral laws of the Jews have been a major influence on Western culture, and began a tradition also shared by Christianity and Islam. Why do you think the location of Palestine is so important?
Judaism • Judaism is around 3500 years old and is the oldest of the world's four great monotheistic religions • Jews await the Messiah and believe in heaven, but that God determines where they go after life on earth • Ten Commandments is the basic code of law
The Torah • Sacred literature in Judaism • 5 Books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy • Books of the Torah describe events that occurred, and tell stories that teach important lessons • Written in Hebrew, read from right to left
Abraham and the Jews • Abraham was the first chosen by God to be the “father of the Hebrew people” • Abraham lived in Ur and moved the Hebrew people to Canaan around 2000 BC • In 1650 BC the Hebrew people moved again to Egypt, but returned to Canaan with Moses in 1200 BC
Judaism: Places of Worship • Jews worship in Synagogues or temples • Worship is led by a Rabbi • Shabbat, the holy day, is from sundown on Friday through sundown on Saturday
Jews & the Roman Empire • In Roman times, most Jews lived in Judea • Excused from honoring Roman Gods because of their belief in one God • Jews hoped to win independence and occasionally rebelled against the Romans • In 135 AD, Romans brutally suppressed a revolt and banned Jews from Jerusalem
Life of Jesus Christ • Born in Bethlehem near Jerusalem and grew up in Nazareth • Jesus was a carpenter and student of the writings of Jewish prophets • Travelled through villages and gained a group of disciples • DISCIPLES: followers
Teachings of Jesus Christ • Accepted the Ten Commandments but gave them further meaning • Jesus travelled to Jerusalem in 30 AD and many hailed him as the “King of Jews” • Romans feared Jesus would lead an uprising and considered him an enemy of the state • Tried before Pontius Pilate – the Roman governor – and sentenced to crucifixion
Spread of Christianity • According to the gospels, Jesus arose from the dead 3 days after his crucifixion, remained on earth for 40 more days and then ascended to heaven • Christians believe that the resurrection and ascension prove Jesus is the Messiah • Resurrection is the central event of Christianity and that Jesus died for the sins of the human race • Disciples set out to spread this message • Christianity spread slowly but appeal gradually increased
Christian Persecution • By 100 AD, Romans outlawed Christianity • By 300 AD, the Christian Church had become too large to punish • Roman law accepted Christianity as a religion
Organization of the Church • Priests conducted services, baptisms and marriages • Bishops, above Priests, headed the Church in each city • Bishops in each Empire city were called Patriarchs • Over time the Patriarch of Rome assumed the title of Pope • In 325 AD, Council at Nicaea proclaimed the DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY: central belief in the existence of three persons in one God – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit