1. ROMAN EMPIRE
500B.C.- 500A.D.

2. RISE OF THE ROMAN CIVILIZATION
Early Roman Settlement
Isolated by Alps and Appenines
Relatively Mild Climate-Allowed them to harvest more than one crop per year
“Latin's”: animal herders who eventually cultivated the land started a small village on the Tiber River which became Rome.

3. ROME’S ETRUSCAN HERITAGE
800 b.c. Etruscan settlers arrived on Western shore of Italian Peninsula
Built Rome into a center of trade
Built sewer system, Roman Forum, irrigation system
Contributions to Roman Culture
Roman Religion (similar to Greek)
Architecture-Arches
Weakened by battles with Greeks and Carthaginians over trade routes in the Mediterranean Sea allowed Romans to overthrow the Etruscans.

4. Punic Wars Conflict with Carthage (North coast of Africa)
264 b.c. Carthage threatened the control of Sicily
which meant they could dominate the water routes.

5. Hannibal Carthage led by Hannibal
Invaded Italy with 40,000 soldiers, 37 War elephants, 8,000 Calvary by traveling across the Alps
After 15 years of fighting on Italian Peninsula, Hannibal was forced to divide his army.

6. PUNIC WARS 2
Rome led by Scipio: strategy was to try and not fight on their own soil
Attacked Carthage
Forced Hannibal to return
Defeated Carthage in 202 b.c. and gained control of all the Western Mediterranean Sea.

7. The Early Republic
Republic: Form of government in which citizens elected representatives to carry out powers of government
500 b.c. Consuls governed Rome
Two chosen from the Patrician class (upper class) by the Senate
Held complete power
Command Army, Propose new legislation, Interpret and carry out laws

8. Consuls Limitations: One year terms
Consuls had to agree with each other.
In war, a dictator could be chosen for 6 month period.

9. SENATE
Senate: primarily advised the consuls on important aspects of government
Proposed new laws
Served for life
From the Patrician class (10% of population)
Assembly: passed laws and elected consuls and other government officials
Consisted of both Patricians and Plebeians
PLEBIANS-free citizens who had little property and had to serve in the army.
Patricians dominated Assembly

10. The Plebeian Struggle 500 b.c.- began to demand more rights.
Couldn’t marry patricians.
Not allowed to be high government official.
Treated severely in laws.

11. Plebian Reforms
Received first important demand: Right to elect a tribune:
leader who had the power to veto Senate actions
Chosen based on geography ( not wealth)
450 b.c. : Roman law brought together in single written document called the “Twelve Tables”
Covered most aspects of Roman public life
Defined property and family rights
Plebeians received more equal rights

12. Roman Society Dominated by aristocratic families and wealthy merchants
Agriculture was basis of economy
Slaves performed hard labor
Varied social life
Public baths
Chariot racing
Gladiator contests in Coliseum
Theater was popular (mime)

13. RELIGION Influenced by Greek Religion
Emperor worship required by citizens
Stressed religious tolerance

14. Rome becomes a Dictatorship
79 b.c b.c. : Military leader Pompey forms an alliance with Crassus (wealthy noble) and Julius Caesar(political leader)
Caesar gained power by becoming more involved in military
When asked to give up his troops, he marched on Rome
Pompey fled and Crassus had died previously
which left Caesar as the sole person in power.

15. JULIUS CAESAR Julius Caesar appointed himself as dictator
Senate became a rubber stamp for his policies
He resettled population, established public building projects, extended Roman citizenship
44 b.c. : Caesar extended his dictatorship for life
Ides of March (March 15, 44 b.c.): stabbed to death in the Senate.

16. The Early Empire After Caesar’s Death power combined for 11 years.
Octavian: adopted son and appointed heir of Caesar.
Marc Antony: Roman General.
OCTAVIAN WINS ALL POWER.
He had to give approval of all laws.
Selected all government officials for election.
Commanded the Roman Army.
Given title of “Augustus” which meant great one.

17. AUGUSTUS CAESAR Brought end of Roman Republic and beginning of
Pax Romana
Period of Roman peace until 180 a.d.
No major wars (expansion of empire halted)
Increased commerce brought prosperity
Improved trade

18. DECAY OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Pax Romana followed by a series of corrupt leaders whose only qualifications were that they were in control of the Roman Army.
Borders were constantly attacked.

19. SPLITTING THE EMPIRE 284 a.d. Diocletian emperor
Reorganized government into eastern and western regions
He ruled West (from Rome)
East ruled from Constantinople
Hoped it would improve the efficiency of the empire
Industry and trade declined (money became worthless)

20. FALL OF ROME Germanic Barbarians became a threat in 5th Century a.d.
Sought new lands because of population growth and fear of the Huns.
Claimed large parts of the Western Empire
Carved out Kingdoms from the Roman Empire
476 a.d. Roman Empire fell
Economy became stagnant
Cultivated land declined
Population declined

21. LEGACY OF ROME
Greatest contribution in the fields of government and law
Developed growth of Constitutional Governments
Law formed foundation of many legal systems of Western World
Protection of Property
Assumption of Innocence
Equality before the law
Architecture
Arches, domed roofs
Engineering (aqueducts)
Language: Romance
Foundation of French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish