Legacy of the Ancient Romans

Roman Empire ( 350 B.C.E – 476 C.E.) Importance: Had a profound impact on the political, cultural & religious movement which was a key foundation for Western Civilization | | 700 B.C.E C.E.1 C.E. Timeline BCE = before common era

Romans Establish 1 st Republic 500 B.C.E Rome was a small city-state ruling only a 10 mile area! 509 – 31 BCE Rome is declared a Republic –a combination of democracy and oligarchy –Patricians and Plebeians social classes participate but not equally

Roman Republic 3 Phases The gradual extension of rights to ordinary people The astonishing territorial expansion throughout the Mediterranean world The political decline and collapse into monarchy in the first century before Christ

Roman Republic Origin Reading Executive Legislative Judicial USA:

Roman Written Law 451 B.C.E. Developed the 12 Tables: a system of written laws that applied to ALL people throughout the empire Highlights of Written law: –Based on reason & justice –Designed to “protect” citizens and their property –A Person was considered innocent until proven guilty

Term Set Review Got importance? Socrates B.C.E.

Expansion of Roman Empire Reading

The Roman Conquests B.C.E. The Romans built an empire not based solely on military supremacy They used skillful diplomacy to establish networks of alliances –Built loyal “new citizens” (not bitter conquered people) –Offered Republic Gov’t, legal system, religious freedom, written language, advanced culture They created a system of strong military colonies –Romans sent to live & protect each new area from invasion

Growth of the Roman Empire

Polytheism Monotheism The Birth of New Religions 1 God Judaism Christianity multiple Gods

Reading: Religious Persecution Emperor Constantine Ruled Rome CE ScapegoatChristianity

Emperor Constantine Ruled Rome CE

The 10 Commandments 1200 BCE: Code of both religious & social behavior –Provided a moral code for living….

Judeo-Christian Thought Greco-Roman thought initially spread in the Roman Empire Judaism & Christianity created a new line of “thought” –It focused on morality/ethics more than political law The expansion of those monotheistic religions produced a new line of thought called Judeo-Christian –It included a code of social behavior –It would greatly influence U.S. democracy and written law

Greco-Roman Thought Judeo-Christian Thought Greco-Roman Thought vs. Judeo-Christian Thought Reading:

Roman Empire Legacy Established Republic Gov’t Embraced Written Law Adopted Christianity Had written language (Latin) Expanded Greco-Roman & Judeo- Christian thought throughout empire Rome Empire collapses in 476 CE Middle Ages follow rule of Rome: CE

Why did Rome Collapse? Size of empire (too big) Increasing attacks by barbarians Corrupt emperors Plague Gap between wealthy & poor The rise of Christianity