Ancient Rome When in Rome…

Geography  Italy = peninsula about 750 miles long  Extensive farmland allowed for large population  Rome was easily defendable because it was built on 7 hills  Italian peninsula jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea made it major stopping point for trade and travel  Mild/damn climate

 Natural barriers protect any civilization that wants to start in Italy…  In the north, Alpine Mountains (The Alps!).  Apennines Mountains down the river, central Italy.  Tyrrhenian, Adriatic and Ionian Seas (all part of the Mediterranean Sea) Geography

Origins of Rome- The Brothers  Legend says that twins Romulus and Remus were abandoned on the Tiber River & raised by a she-wolf!  Later the two boys decided to build a city…  Eventually Romulus kills Remus & city of Rome is named after Romulus  This all happens around 753 B.C.E.

 The Latins  Helped spread the Latin language.  The Greeks  Settled in southern Italy  Brought culture of Greece to Rome (Arts, democracy, philosophy, etc.)  The Etruscans  Northern Italy  620 B.C.E. they took control of Rome  Rule by King! The first people in Rome…

 Etruscan family treated the Romans very harshly.  Overthrown by the people of Rome around 509 B.C.E.  People of Rome declare Rome a Republic!  By 270 B.C.E. the Roman city and republic had control of the entire Italian Peninsula! From Kings to a Republic…

 Republic: Form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders  In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was granted only to free- born male citizens!  People of Rome  Rome was divided up into several different groups who struggled for power..  Patricians: wealthy landowners who held most of the power.  Plebeians: the common farmers, artisans, and merchants; majority of pop. The Roman Republic

The Roman Empire

 Twelve Tables – 451 B.C.E. 12 bronze tablets engraved with Roman law were placed throughout the Republic so the law could be applied to all.  Law code developed as the republic did.  Jus Civile (Civil Laws) – For citizens of Republic  Jus Gentium (Law of the gentiles) – Noncitizens of the Republic  Jus Naturale (Natural Laws) – Governed all humans Law Code – The Republic

Roman Power Expands  Steadily the Romans (under the Republic) conquered the Italian Peninsula!  As Rome conquered lands, people were absorbed into their ever growing territory…  Some people were accepted as citizens, others simply became allies  Rome went to war against Carthage; a powerful city in North Africa  The struggle became known as the Punic Wars ( B.C.)

 WHO: Rome Vs. Carthage  WHY: Trading interests in the island of Sicily.  Romans had territory and interest in the island; the Carthaginians wanted it to expand their commerce into the Mediterranean. The Frst Punic War 264 – 241 B.C.E.

 General of Carthage, Hannibal, took Roman territory in Spain! AND led his army through the Alps with elephants!  Fought on the Italian countryside…terrorized it!!  Eventually, Rome pushed Carthaginian forces back and won the war! The Second Punic Wars B.C.E.

 Rome went back to war with Carthage!  Maybe for fear they would return?  By the end of this battle…  Carthage was burnt to the ground.  Soil around Carthage was sowed with salt to prevent growth of plant life.  Men, women and children were sold into slavery.  Basically saying… Don’t mess with the Romans!!  This allowed Roman’s to keep conquering territory! The Third Punic Wars 146 B.C.E.

 Problems with expansion:  More conquered land, more angry people, need of bigger Army.  Steady supply of slaves created a labor problem (many Romans became unemployed.  Huge gap between rich and poor.  People went to cities (left the country side). Farming went into hands of wealthy landowners.  Roman army went from volunteer’s too professional soldiers.  In times of peace they got bored… and in trouble! The beginning of the end…

 Riots and uprisings from the Plebeians and Patrician’s (on how to fix the economic and political struggles) led to the rise of the first Triumvirate (60 B.C.E.).  Pompey, Crassus and Julius Caesar.  All 3 men wanted power and the acceptance of the people.  Caesar went to defend northern Roman territory from the barbarians.  Crassus died in battle.  Pompey stayed in Rome. It’s almost the end…

 Caesar defeats Pompey!!  People are actually okay with this (except his Senate) and like him for his plans to make life better until… he declares himself “dictator for life”.  This weakens the power of the Senate.  So, the Senate stabs him to death on the floor of the Senate – like 23 times. It’s the final countdown…

 Grandnephew and adopted son of Caesar, Octavian formed the Second Triumvirate.  Marc Anthony, Octavian and Lepidus  Octavian wanted them to get revenge on the Senate!  However, Octavian wanted more power and he got I by defeating the other two. And this ushers in the Roman Empire! THE END OF THE REPUBLIC