RISE OF ROME World History
Geography of Rome
Geography Peninsula: Italian Peninsula Mountains Alps: north Apennines: length of Italy Rugged land made travel difficult Volcano's: Mt. Vesuvius Hills: where they built their cities Rome was built on 7 hills near the Tiber River
Climate Similar to California Warm dry summers & mild wet winters Crops: grains, citrus fruit, and olives Plentiful food
Beginnings of Rome Aeneas (I-nee-uhs) Trojan Hero Greeks destroyed Troy he left and went to Italy. “Aeneid” written by Virgil Created an alliance with the Latin's Married the daughter of a Latin King
Romulus & Remus According to Legend Descendants of Aeneas Twins placed in a river Raised by wolves Found by a farmer Created Rome
Rome's Early Kings 753 BC Romulus is the first king Roman records say 7 kings ruled Rome Not all of them were Roman Last 3 were Etruscans Built temples, made sewers Alphabet & numbers Last king was cruel Killed many 509 BC nobles rose up & overthrew the king
Early Republic Republic: people elect leaders to govern them Created in 509 BC by the nobles Elected officials Term limits: one year Not a democracy Elected officials were wealthy Others had little to no say in how Rome was run
External Challenges War for 50 years People from the region During difficult wars they changed government Dictator: ruler with absolute power Term limit: 6 months Cincinnatus Power in 458 BC Farmer Returned power back to Rome before 6 months was up Admired by the Romans
Internal Challenges Plebeians vs. Patricians Plebeian: common people Peasants, craftsman, traders Some were as wealthy as Patricians NOT allowed to participate in government Patrician: nobles Elected officials Hold all political power 494 BC Plebeians form a council Elected their own officials They outnumber the Patricians Patricians change their mind: Plebeians can participate in government
Government & Society Create a 3 part Government Written Laws Roman Forum
Three Part Government Tripartite: government with 3 parts Magistrates: elected officials Consuls: 2 most powerful Magistrates 1 year term Finances, games, & festivals Senate Roman Senate: council of wealthy and powerful Romans that advised cities leaders Advised consuls Held office for life Became more powerful than magistrates Took control of finances Assemblies & Tribunes Protected the common people Two branches
Assemblies & Tribunes Assemblies Included Patricians & Plebeians Elect magistrates Voted on going to war Participate their entire adult lives Tribunes Elected officials Veto: or prohibit Term limit: 1 year