Rome

Geography Located in Italy Italy is a peninsula Located 18 miles away from the Tiber River (could be easily crossed) https://www.google.com/maps/place/Carthago,+Tunisia/@36.8693974,1.3690716,5z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x12e2b4c86a8ffaf9:0x9b0c2a1f4e19165c

Roman Republic Rome had 7 Kings before they became a republic Rome defeated several Estruscan states and virtually took all of Italy Rome devised the Roman Confederation and relinquished some of their control to Latin people, (considered non-Romans) who took on the Roman culture.

Roman Political Structure The People Patricians – wealthy landowners, ruling class “Aristocrats” Plebeians – Minor landholders, craftspeople, merchants and small farmers (main voters) The Politicians Consuls – chief executive officer. Two were elected: one as Commander of the army, the other ran the country. Praetor – official who enforces the law.

The Roman Senate A select 300 Patricians who served for life. Started out only as advisors but their advice soon became law. The senators elected chief officials, who were typically the wealthiest people

Struggle of the Orders There was a “Council of the Plebs” who were just the plebeians version of the Roman Senate. For hundreds of years Plebeians fought for more rights and by 287 BC plebs could all have an equal vote, marry patricians, and even pass laws for all Romans.

The First Punic War There were 3 different Punic Wars all slated against Carthage a (Phoenician state) who were located on the tip of Africa. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Carthago,+Tunisia/@36.8693974,1.3690716,5z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x12e2b4c86a8ffaf9:0x9b0c2a1f4e19165c The first Punic War started in 264 BC and saw Rome build a Navy and fight for Sicily, which was neither claimed by Carthage or Rome. By 241 BC the Romans had eventually knocked off Carthage

The Second Punic War The Second Punic War starts when Hannibal, the greatest Carthaginian general, struck back in 218 BC. At only 9 years old his father made him swear at a temple that he would always hate Romans. Hannibal took the fight to Rome, Italy and at Cannae took out 40,000 Romans. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bari,+Metropolitan+City+of+Bari,+Italy/@41.0922226,16.7352281,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x1347e86038baa521:0x46018af2c9966bfb Instead of fighting Hannibal in Italy, the Romans sent troops into Carthage, forcing Hannibal to leave Italy. In 202 BC the Romans met and destroyed Hannibal’s army at the Battle of Zama.

The Third Punic War 50 years later Rome and Carthage met up again. The Romans destroyed Carthage and renamed the province Africa.

Lesson 2

The decline of the roman republic The Senate had become the Real Government of the Roman State Small circles of wealthy and powerful families ran the political offices Small famers were beginning to be bought out and turned in to slave labor.

Roman Army General Marius became consul and began to enlist people from the urban and rural property. These poorer people swore to the general rather than to the state, making the general more involved with politics. The General now had more individual influence.

The first triumvirate From 82 BC to 31 BC Roman history is summed up as competition for power and civil wars. Crassus – Syria Pompey – Spain Julius Caesar – Military control in Guam

Caesar takes control The Senate feared Caesar’s popularity, voted for him to step down, and elected Pompey to be the leader. Caesar kept his army, moved into Italy, and started a civil war against Pompey. Caesar won and became the dictator of Rome.

Caesar’s impact Granted citizenship to the people who helped him Reformed the calendar to the Egyptian 365 day calendar The Senate had him assassinated, hoping that the old republic would reform. “Caesar didn’t see it so he ceased to exist so the one that killed him had keys to his s***” Jay-Z

The second triumvirate Octavian – Caesar’s heir and grandnephew (controlled the West) Antony – Caesar’s Ally and assistant (Controlled the East) Lepidus – Commander of Caesar’s calvary (the part of a military force composed of troops that serve on horseback)

Love gets you killed Octavian and Antony squared off for control of the Roman Empire. Antony allied with Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt. They fell “deeply in love.” Octavian destroyed both the army and navy of Antony and Cleopatra. The two fled back to Egypt and committed suicide.

The empire Octavian at the age of 32 was the lone leader of Rome. He proclaimed to “restore the Republic” to please the Senate. Octavian was awarded a name change to Augustus (meaning the revered one) and the title imperator.

Augustus impact The imperator now has control to appoint governors Stabilized the frontiers of the Roman Empire Attempted to conquer Germany but failed Rebuilt many ruined temples ruined by civil war and built new ones Was considered a God by the Roman Senate.