1. Rome

2. Warm Up
Based on the map of Rome can you find any advantages to Roman geography?

3. Key Vocabulary
Romulus and Remus: twin brothers of the god Mars who founded Rome.
Republic: a form of government where representatives vote on issues.
Patricians: Roman landowners who held most of the power in Rome.
Plebians: Roman commoners who made up most of the population but held little power.
Twelve Tables: a written code of law that governed Roman society.
Forum: Roman meeting place where business and politics were conducted.
Consuls: leaders of Rome who directed the government.
Senate: a governing body made up of the aristocracy that made laws for Rome.
When you are finished, please work on the map activity and reading.

4. Essential Question
How did Rome’s geography and political development lead them to dominate the Mediterranean politically and economically?

5. Geography and Early History of Rome
Where is Rome/Italy located?
West of Greece
What body of water separates Rome from Greece?
Adriatic Sea/Ionian Sea
What body of water lies South of Rome?
Mediterranean Sea
What is the name of the major river in Italy?
Tiber River

6. What are some major differences between Greek and Italian countryside?
Italy has a lot of fertile land
It gets a lot of rain
Italy is easily accessible to Europe from the North
Based on what you know about the Geography of Greece and Rome where would you choose to live and why?

7. When was the city founded? Who was it founded by?
753 BC.
Who was it founded by?
Romulus and Remus.
What did they decide to do?
They decided to build a city. It was Rome!
How are they related?
They were twin sons of the God Mars and a Latin princess.
What is their story? How did they survive?
They were abandoned at birth and raised by a wolf.

8. Who lived on the area around Rome in the past?
Why did so many people migrate to live around Rome? What was offered to them?
A great location on the Mediterranean Sea.
Fertile land.
Who lived on the area around Rome in the past?
Latin shepherds around 1000 BC.
Greeks from BC.
Etruscans after the Greeks in Northern Italy .
How was Rome ruled around 600 BC?
By an Etruscan king until 509 BC.
After the last king, what type of government was formed? Where did the power lie?
Republic
Power now lies in the hands of citizens who elect their leaders.

9. Who had a say in the Republic and what rights did they have?
Patricians
Aristocratic landowners.
Had most of the power.
Inherited power and social status.
Plebians
Common farmers, artisans, and merchants
Majority of the population
Couldn’t hold any important government positions
Could elect tribunes (protected the rights of Plebians from unfair acts by Patricians)
Additional pressure would also get them more rights – 12 Tables
Citizens Right to Vote

10. The Forum “Res Public” Public Affairs Republic
Citizens have the right to select their leaders
Forum
Drained swamp-public meeting place
12 Tables
Written law code forced by lower class

11. Consuls Senate The Assemblies Dictator For how long? 6 months.
How many? 2
Duties: Directed government and were in charge of the army.
Term limit: 1 year.
Senate
Made up of what class? The aristocracy.
Duties: Legislature (made the laws).
Term limit: Life.
The Assemblies
Centuriate Assembly: Made laws-upper class
Dictator
When can he be used? In a crisis.
For how long? 6 months.

12. Roman Army Soldiers organized into large military units called Legions
Legions had 5000 soldiers (infantry)
Group of Cavalry supported each Legion (Horses)
Legion was divided into smaller groups of 80 soldiers called Centuries
Military was key factor in Rome’s rise to power

13. Rome valued a strong military.
All landowning citizens were required to serve in the military.
Certain political offices required 10 years of military service.

14. Graphic Organizer
Roman Domination
Geography
Republic
Army

15. Reflection Compare and Contrast a republic and a democracy.
Why do you think the Romans created a Republic?
What were the benefits of Roman Geography?
What were the 2 social classes of Rome?
What is the significance of the 12 Tables?

16. Answer the Essential Question
Now that you have completed this lesson, answer the essential question. Your answers must be in paragraph format (6-8 sentences) and written in complete sentences in order to receive credit.
How did Rome’s geography and political development lead them to dominate the Mediterranean politically and economically?