1. Rome

2. What’s so Important about Rome? Romans institutionalized the accomplishments of the Greeks “Republic” was an attempt at a democratic form of government They tried different political systems Rome was the first huge, modern city, with “modern city” problems Gigantic Roman Empire lasted a long time; excellent administration skills The many accomplishments of the Romans: engineering, literature

3. Legendary Founding 1180’s BCE Aeneas Prince of Troy whose mother, Venus, wanted to save him from dying when the city was burned by the Greeks. He escaped with his family and friends; and traveled to Italy near the Tiber River. He married Lavinia, daughter of the Latin king; thus the Trojan and Latin races were united. There were 400 years of peace. Described in The Aeneid by Virgil

4. 753 BCE Romulus & Remus Twins were cast adrift in a basket by King Amulius, rescued by a wolf and a woodpecker, raised by a shepherd. They were discovered by Numitor (their grandfather) and restored him to his throne (deposing Amulius). They founded Rome. Romulus murdered Remus; became first king of Rome. Romulus stole Sabine women, which led to war. Sabine women did not want to leave their new husbands; countries were joined.

5. Three Distinct Periods 753 BCE Kings 509 BCE Republic 29 BCE Empire

6. Seven Eruscan Kings Some very good and some very bad Tarquinius Superbus Last king – ambitious & cruel His son caused dishonor of Lucretia People were so outraged that kings were banned forever He made several attempts to return

7. Stories of the Early Republic Horatio – 500 BCE Hero at the Bridge Fought Tarquin’s first attempt to return Fable of the Stomach Plebeians refuse to fight anymore Menenius tells fable Plebeians gain tribunes Coriolanus Vengeance suspended Cincinnatus Dictator for 16 days Camillus –Second founder of Rome Poplicula –Friend of the People

8. Stories of the Early Republic Coriolanus Vengeance suspended Cincinnatus Dictator for 16 days Camillus Defeated the Gauls Called Second Romulus (second founder of Rome), Father of his Country Poplicula Friend of the People

9. Middle Republic: Punic Wars Pyrrus –“With a victory like this …” Hannibal –Hatred of Rome, military genius, not much else Fabius –Caution and Wisdom in fighting Hannibal Cato the Elder –Going way too far in destroying Carthage Scipio Africanus –Destroyer of Hannibal

10. The Roman Republic: One Long Power Struggle Constant territorial wars: Samnites, etc. Struggle of the Orders –Plebians fight for their share of the power Political parties –Marcius vs. Sulla –Murder if not slaughter often the result Corruption & stubbornness of the aristocracy –Republic degenerated - votes for sale –Opposition to reform – Gracchi murdered –Assassination of Julius Caesar

11. Political Parties: Populares Populares: “Favoring the People” –Gracchi brothers –Marius –Julius Caesar Wanted to: –Strengthen political power of the plebs –Free bread –Sharing riches of nobility –Limit slavery (since it took jobs from the poor)

12. Political Parties: Optimates Optimates: “best of men” –Cicero –Sulla –Cato the Younger –Brutus Wanted to: –Keep maximum power with the Senate –Oppose popular generals who might gain power: Marius, Pompey, Caesar

13. End of the Republic Marius (Populares) Sulla (Optimates) First triumvirate (before Caesar’s death) –Pompey –Crassus –Caesar Second triumvirate (after Caesar’s death) –Augustus Caesar –Marc Antony –Lepidus

14. The Roman Empire – Julio-Claudian Emperors or “Caesars” Julius Caesar Caesar Augustus Tiberius Caligula Claudius Nero

15. Tiberius Generally despised Sejanus, head of the Praetorian Guard, brutally terrorized the country New “treason laws” and paid informers made people feel oppressed Sejanus finally executed when he conspired to kill Tiberius and become emperor himself

16. Caligula Name meant “little boots” or “bootsie” after miniature army boots he wore as a child. Son of Germanicus, a popular general who may have been murdered by Tiberius. Caligula started his reign well, but soon became ill. After his recovery he seemed to have gone mad. He killed many people for no reason. He spent money on himself with no limit. He considered making a horse consul. He demanded to be worshipped as Jupiter.

17. Caligula He began massive public works but then lost interest in them. He started a campaign against Britain, but then ordered his soldiers to collect shells on the beach, and sent them home as the spoils of war. Then he threatened a slaughter because the Roman senators did not prepare a triumph for him. Finally the Praetorian Guard killed him, after five crazed years of his reign.

18. Claudius The Praetorian Guard found Claudius hiding behind a screen in the palace, dragged him out and chose him as successor to Caligula Claudius was 50 years old, was Caligula’s uncle, and older brother of Germanicus. Physically he was a poor specimen: of slight build and lame. He stuttered and had a tic. He was a scholar, and turned out to be an able and conscientious emperor.

19. Claudius He organized successful military campaigns against the Gauls and Britons. He extended citizenship to more people within the empire. His personal life was a disaster. He had four wives who were unfaithful to him and ridiculed him in public. His fourth wife, Agrippa (sister of Caligula), persuaded him to adopt her son, Nero.

20. Nero Son of Caligula’s fourth wife. Murdered both his mother and his wife. During a disastrous fire that burned down much of Rome, he played his lyre. Then he blamed the early Christians for the fire. His persecuted the Christians harshly, which led to the deaths of Saints Peter and Paul. He considered himself a great singer, and gave concerts at festivals, which disgusted the Romans.

21. Flavian Emperors Vespasian Titus Domitian

22. The Roman Empire – Good Emperors “Nifty Teachers Have Apples & Mangoes” Nerva Trajan Hadrian Antonius Pius Marcus Aurelius

23. The “Good Emperors” 96-180 “Their united reigns are possibly the only period in history in which the happiness of a great people was the sole object of government” -- Edward Gibbon

24. Nerva First emperor chosen by the Senate; not inheritance or seizure. Nerva invented a way to transfer power peacefully. His method was to have each emperor personally pick and train his successor. He trained …

25. Trajan Brilliant general who expanded the empire. Conquered Parthians (Persians), Dacians (Romania) and Arabia; got booty of Dacian mines Many building projects: Column of Trajan, new forum, markets, aqueduct, harbor improvements Gave generously to the poor Adopted and trained …

26. Hadrian Publius Aelius Hadrianus Chief-of-staff for Trajan; adopted by Trajan on his deathbed Traveled constantly, visited all the provinces Learned, fluent in Greek, patron of art, literature and education Benefactor of the poor Not kind to the Jews; tried to forbid their practice of their religion

27. Antonius Pius Peaceful and uneventful reign. Hadrian had traveled so widely that he was able to stay in Rome.

28. Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Nephew of Antoninus Pius “The philosopher emperor”; followed philosophy of stoicism Had to spend most of his time as a general, which he hated. Wrote Meditations while in the field Only one of five “good emperors” with a son, Commodus, who turned out to be a latter day Nero.

29. Commodus: Back to Bad Emperors? Very generous to poor; caused Senate to hate him Dressed in animal skins and presented himself as Hercules Fought gladiators and wild animals

30. The Roman Empire Problems of Succession Some emperors were mixed –Dominicus?

31. Rome’s Strengths Relative freedom: better than barbarians to the north and tyrannies to the south Law & order Rights of citizens Military might Good values The Barbarians got the benefit of an advanced culture with a written language.

32. Rome’s Values Patriotism – greatest duty is to support the state Honor Military courage Freedom Education Arts Rome’s “religion” was itself!

33. Reasons for Rome’s Fall Overextended They never solved the problem of succession Maybe it was just meant to be; the “Barbarians” brought strengths to the mix

34. Roman Legacy Romans institutionalized genius of the Greeks