The Origins of Ancient Rome Size:1800 × 2218 Type:857KB JPG e:600 × 374 Type:63KB JPG

Roman Creation Myth ■ The God Mars, had twin sons with a Latin Princess (Rhea Silvia). ■ The sons were: Romulus and Remus ■ A jealous Latin King put them in a basket and floated them down a river (sounds like???)

Roman Creation Myth Continued ■ a she-wolf found them and cared for them ■ A shepherd found the boys and continued raising them

Roman Creation Myth Continued II ■ As adults, the twins decided to build where they were abandoned ■ Each claimed a hilltop and made themselves the leader of the new city (sounds like?) ■ While arguing over who would actually be the leader - “Romulus struck his brother and killed him” (sounds like???) (Krieger 131). ■ The new city was called Rome (after its founder, Romulus) and was founded on Palatine Hill

Rome’s Geography ■ Midpoint of the Mediterranean ■ Midpoint of the Italian peninsula ■ 15 miles inland and on the Tiber River ■ Mountainous but not restrictive ■ What does that mean? ■ Alps and the Apennines ■ Wooded and fertile

Groups within Roman Territory ■ Latins ■ Greeks ■ Etruscans

Latins ■ Came from across the Alps ■ Settlement of shepherds ■ Cluster of round wooden huts on Palatine Hill ■ Very little trade outside their settlement ■ Rome was hardly capable of being called a city

Greeks ■ Established 50 colonies in Southern Italy ■ Magna Graecia (Greater Greece) ■ Prosperous Greeks brought Greek civilization to Rome through trade ■ CULTURAL DIFFUSION – know this term!!!

Etruscans ■ Possibly from Asia Minor ■ Much more civilized than the Latins ■ Created the “arch” building system ■ The Etruscans had a writing system which was changed into Latin

Regional Roman Geography

Religion in Rome ■ Romans believed in many gods and spirits ■ POLYTHEISTIC – know this term!!! ■ Early gods had no names, they were linked to daily necessities – i.e.: the Goddess of Harvest ■ Looked for signs in animals (birds flying, animals’ livers) ■ Greek religion was adapted, the stories are the same but the names have been changed (cultural diffusion!!!)

Leadership in Rome (government) ■ During the rule of kings, Rome slowly developed from villages into a city ■ Kings created temples, and public buildings, and also created the Forum (like the Greek agora) ■ Kings ruled until the son of a king attacked a virtuous woman…and the people demanded Rome never be ruled by kings again

From monarchy to republic ■ Leadership by kings = monarchy (not all monarchies are hereditary) ■ Republic – People represent the citizens – Res publica – “public affairs” ■ A republic is NOT necessarily a democracy (although it is possible to have both…I wonder what an example would be?) ■ The Roman republic did not allow all citizens to vote…but more people were considered citizens… ■ How is a Republic different from Democracy?