Rome Location – Rome is centrally located in the Mediterranean Basin and distant from Eastern Mediterranean powers. -Country – Italian peninsula -Alps mountains – provided protection -Mediterranean Sea – protection and sea-borne commerce -Rome became the center of trade

Rome is in a great location because: - It is sheltered from invasion by mountains and ocean - It is a perfect location for trading

Rome Punic Wars – Rome vs. Carthage (264 – 146 B.C./B.C.E.) Rome and Carthage (Africa) were in competition over trade. Hannibal (general from Carthage) invaded the Italian Peninsula through the Alps. Results: Three wars resulted in Roman victory, destruction of Carthage and expanded trade and wealth for Rome.

Rome Roman mythology was based on the Greek polytheistic religion Mythology provided explanations of natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events Roman gods/goddesses: Jupiter – supreme god Juno – Jupiter’s wife Apollo – god of music and poetry Diana – goddess of hunting and childbirth Minerva – goddess of wisdom Venus – goddess of love and beauty - Symbols and images of gods/goddesses used in literature, art, and architecture

Roman Empire/Imperial Rome – government ran by an emperor Rome went through several stages of government: Roman Republic – government ran with input from people (similar to a democracy) Roman Empire/Imperial Rome – government ran by an emperor

Rome Roman Republic (where voters elect officials to run the state) Social structure Upper class – Patricians – powerful nobility who controlled the government, few in number Lower class – Plebeians – farmers and workers, majority of the population Slaves – not based on race

Rome Citizenship of the Roman Republic Citizens were patrician and plebeian men. Some selected foreigners who contributed to the Roman economy could be citizens. Right and responsibilities included: vote, pay taxes, provide military service

Rome Features of Roman democracy Representative democracy – vote for leaders to represent the people Assemblies – voted on laws and elected officials The Senate – controlled public funds and decided foreign policy Consuls – chief executives who represented the patricians (upper class) Tribunes – represented the plebeians (lower class) Laws of Rome codified as the Twelve Tables

Rome Causes for the decline of the Roman Republic Spread of slavery in the agricultural system Migration of small farmers into cities = unemployment Civil war over the power of Julius Caesar Devaluation of Roman currency = inflation (when prices rise and demand falls) Use of violence rises

Rome Origin and evolution of Imperial Rome First triumvirate (rule of 3) was formed: Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus Julius Caesar – very popular general who seized power, civil wars over his power, assassinated by friends on the Ides of March (March 15) Second triumvirate was formed: Marc Anthony, Octavian, Lepidus Marc Anthony commits suicide

Aside on Julius Caesar: very popular general who seized power, civil wars over his power, assassinated by friends on the Ides of March (March 15) Why was Julius Caesar assassinated? - Other politicians were afraid of his ambitions and popularity

Rome Imperial Rome cont’d. Augustus Caesar – civil wars over power, defeat of Marc Anthony, became Rome’s first emperor The Roman Empire unified and enlarged, using imperial authority and the military. There was failure to provide peaceful succession of Emperors.

Rome Evolution of the Roman Empire and spread of Roman culture In the Mediterranean basin, Rome spread to: Africa, Asia, Europe (including the Hellenistic world of the Eastern Mediterranean) Western Europe (Gaul/France, British Isles)

Rome Pax Romana – Latin for Roman peace 200 centuries of peace and prosperity under imperial rule Led to the expansion and solidification of the Roman Empire, particularly in the Near East

Rome Economic impact of the Pax Romana Social impact of the Pax Romana Established uniform (same) system of money, which helped to expand trade Guaranteed safe travel and trade on Roman roads Promoted prosperity and stability Social impact of the Pax Romana Returned stability to social classes Increased emphasis on the family

Rome Political impact of the Pax Romana Created a civil service Developed uniform rule of law

Rome New religion was introduced to Rome - Christianity Had its roots in Judaism Was led by Jesus of Nazareth who was proclaimed the Messiah (Savior) Conflicted with polytheistic beliefs of Roman Empire

Rome Beliefs, traditions, and customs of Christianity Monotheistic religion Jesus was both the Son and incarnation (human form) of God Life after death New Testament – contained accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as writings of early Christians Christian doctrine established by early church councils

Rome Spread of Christianity Carried by the Apostles (Paul) throughout the Roman Empire Early martyrs (someone who suffers for a belief) inspired others Slowed as a result of persecution by Roman authorities Adopted and legalized by Emperor Constantine

Rome Impact of the (Christian) Church of Rome in the late Roman Empire Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made it legal. Christianity later became the official state religion. The Church became a source of moral authority. Loyalty to the Church became more important than loyalty to the Emperor. The Church became the main unifying force of Western Europe.

Emperor Constantien - Constantine was the winner in a battle between co-emperors to become sole emperor - Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome and moved the capital to Istanbul (renaming it Constantinople)

Rome Contributions of ancient Rome – Art/architecture: Pantheon (temple for the gods), Colosseum (arena), Forum (center of government business) Technology: roads, aqueducts (transported water to towns), Roman arches Science: Ptolemy Medicine: emphasis on public health (public baths, public water system, medical schools)

Rome Contributions of Rome cont’d. Language: Latin (origin of Romance languages – French, Spanish, Italian) Literature: Virgil’s Aeneid (poem on the fall of Troy) Religion: Roman mythology and the adoption of Christianity as the imperial religion Law: the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” (from the Twelve Tables)

Rome Why Rome fell: Geographic size – difficulty of defense and administration Economy – cost of defense and devaluation of Roman currency Military – army membership starting to include non-Romans, resulting in decline of discipline

Rome Causes for the decline of the Western Roman Empire cont’d. Moral decay – people’s loss of faith in Rome and the family Political problems – civil conflict and weak administration Invasion – attacks on borders

Rome Division of Roman Empire Move of capital by Constantine from Rome to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople Survival of Western Roman Empire until 476 A.D./C.E., when it ceased to have a Roman Emperor Eastern Roman Empire renamed the Byzantine Empire