BELLWORK 9/15 Today we will begin our last civilization of study…..Rome! For bellwork, read about the founding of Rome and answer the following: 1.List two ways Rome differed from Ancient Greece. 2.List two ways geography impacted Rome. 3.Why was warfare common in Rome? 4.Summarize the legend used to explain Rome’s creation. 5.Who were the Latins? How did they settle in Rome? 6.List two similarities between Rome and Greece. 7.Why did the Romans overthrow their King? What did they change about their government as a result?

An Introduction to Rome

WHY DO WE STUDY ANCIENT ROME? We study the Romans because… They made very important contributions in architecture and government. Our own culture reflects parts of Ancient Roman culture. Language, art, architecture, government, roads, calendar, law, etc.

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW A LOT ABOUT ANCIENT ROME? WELL IT’S TRUE!

DOES ANYTHING LOOK FAMILIAR?

ARE WE STUDYING GREECE AGAIN? SIMILARITIES Q#6: List two similarities between Rome and Greece. DIFFERENCES Q#1: List two differences between Rome and Greece.

WHERE ON EARTH IS ROME?

Q#2: List two ways geography impacted Rome. – Located in the center of the Mediterranean – Far away from eastern empires, but accessible from Europe – Large amount of fertile land – Alps (Mts.): provided natural protection. – Mediterranean Sea: Gave protection, allowed for trade. Basically, Rome’s place in the world kept it safe from harm, but allowed it to interact with other people.

WHY IS THE GEOGRAPHY OF ROME IMPORTANT? Rome, with its central location on the Italian peninsula, was able to extend its influence over the entire Mediterranean.

TRADE AND INFLUENCE

Q#3: Why was warfare common in Ancient Rome?

MYTHS AND LEGENDS Just like the Greeks, the Romans used myths and legends to explain the history of their region. Why do you think people believed these stories in ancient Rome? Q#4: Summarize the legend used to explain Rome’s creation.

THE LEGEND OF ROMULUS AND REMUS

According to Roman legend a princess named Rhea Sylvia had twin boys by Mars, the god of war. A jealous uncle who had stolen the throne from her father ordered her twins to be drowned in the Tiber River.

Fortunately, a servant had pity on the twins and placed them in a basket. Eventually, the basket washed onto the shore and the twins were discovered by a female wolf. The wolf nursed and protected the babies for a short time before they were found by a shepherd. The shepherd then raised the twins.

When Romulus and Remus became adults, they decided to found (or set up) a city where the wolf had discovered them. The brothers fought over exactly where the city should be built, and as a result, Remus was killed by his brother. Without Remus, Romulus became the sole founder of the new city and named it Rome. The date given for the founding of Rome was 753 BC.

Although the Legend of Romulus and Remus makes it seem as if Rome was built in a day, the truth is probably very different. Q#5: Who were the Latins? How did they settle in Rome? Groups, like the Latins, settled along the Tiber river in 1000 B.C. In 600 B.C. Greek settlers established several cities  trade & spread of ideas In order to be safer from invasions, the settlements joined together as one.

Myths and Legends Most of the myths and legends in ancient Rome centered around their gods and goddesses. They were polytheistic!

Tyrants and corrupt kings in power In 509B.C., Tarquin the Proud was overthrown Romans declared they would never again be ruled by a king! Established a new government called a republic: power to the citizens! Q#7: Why did the Romans overthrow their King? What did they change about their government as a result?

{ Roman Republic: Conflict and Crisis Roman Republic: 509BC – 30BC

Roman Expansion  Punic Wars: 264BC-146BC, series of three wars between Rome and the North-African city state of Carthage.  Both wanted control of western Mediterranean……. Why?  Rome was victorious and captured all cities from the Mediterranean to Spain to Asia Minor.

Carthaginian General Hannibal crossing the Alps during the Second Punic War.

Romans attack on Carthage

The Republic in Crisis Usually military expansion makes a country stronger and more powerful, but it was different with Rome. After the Punic Wars, Rome will go through a series of revolts that puts the Republic in crisis…….. Why? How would military expansion lead to unhappiness and revolt amongst the citizens?

The Republic in Crisis   Rome’s military conquered multiple countries with no regard to their way of life/culture  REVOLT!   Roman officials overtaxed residents  REVOLT!   Wealthy Romans used slaves to work their land – this put small farmers out of business  REVOLT!   Putting down these revolts cost Rome a lot of troops, money, and resources.

Reform  In the 50’s BC, Julius Caesar, took over the government and named himself dictator.  Expanded empire to Gaul (France)  Gave jobs to unemployed, public land to the poor, and citizenship to conquered peoples.  Established legal code Forum Romanum

 Some Romans loved Caesar for his reforms, others saw him as a tyrant who meant to end the republic and make himself king.  On March 15, 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated by a group of government officials. Reform

Caesar’s Assassination  March 15, 44BC Caesar was to appear at a meeting of the Senate.  As he arrived, the group of conspirators gathered around him pretending to show support.  Cimber approached him to sign a document and pulled him down by his shoulders then Casca stabbed him in the neck  Within moments, the entire group (including Brutus) was gathered around him on the steps of Senate stabbing him.  Around 60 men participated in the assassination and Caesar was stabbed 23 times  His last words were “You too, Brutus?” as he realized his best friend was involved in the plot  Brutus and his followers marched through Rome shouting “People of Rome, we are once again free!”  Caesar’s dead body lay on the Senate floor for three hours  In the following chaos, Augustus Caesar led a series of 5 civil wars which ended with the reformation of the Roman Empire.

 You are now going to complete a jigsaw read about Roman society  How it works:  You will be divided into groups of 4  Each group member will be assigned a different reading about an aspect of Roman society.  (Early republic, society, women, & gladiators)  You will start by reading your specific handout and completing your portion of the worksheet.  Once your group is done, you will meet and teach the rest of them about your topic.  As you teach, they will fill in the remainder of the worksheet.  These are your notes for the section! Ancient Roman Society: Jigsaw Read