1. Early Influences of Rome

2. It’s a Mystery!
Historians have tried over the years to discover the truth about the founding of Rome
No one really knows who Rome’s first king was.
We do know that the first Romans were Latins
The Latins were one of several groups who invaded Italy
In 700 B.C.E. a Latin tribe built a village in central Italy that later became Rome

3. The First Village in Rome
The first village is believed to have been built on a hill in central Italy called Paletine
Paletine overlooks the Tiber River, about 12 miles inland from the sea
Overtime this village expanded and covered seven hills

4. Roman Influences
Roman culture was greatly influenced by two of Rome’s neighbors, Etruscans and the Greeks
The Romans borrowed many ideas and skills from these two groups

5. Who were the Etruscans?
The Etruscans had come from the north from a place called Etruria and settled throughout Italy.
No one knows exactly how/where these people started their civilization but they built city-states and conquered others
By 600 B.C.E. they ruled much of northern and central Italy, including Rome

6. Etruscans
On your map of Italy, draw an arrow from Etruria to Rome. Label it “first influence.”

7. Etruscan Influence
The Romans learned many skills and techniques from the Etruscans
One technique was engineering. More specifically they learned to make arches and cuniculus
The Romans furthered advanced these techniques by building bridges, stadiums and aqueducts

8. Arches:
Arches rested on two pillars.
The pillars supported a half-circle of wedge-shaped
Cuniculus:
A long underground trench
Vertical shafts connected it to the ground above
They used this method to irrigate water to crops
They also used this method to drain swamps and carry water to their cities

9. Etruscan Sporting Events
Romans adopted two bloody Etruscan sporting event:
Slave Fighting
Chariot Races
Video

10. Slave Fighting
The Etruscan tradition was to hold slave fights after a funeral
Two slaves of the dead master fought to the death with swords and small shields
After being congratulated the winner was executed
NOT ONE SURVIVOR!!

11. Chariot Racing Etruscans also enjoyed watching chariot races
The drivers, or charioteers, were strapped to their chariots
If a chariot overturned, a driver could be dragged under the chariot’s or trampled by the horses
Injuries often occurred and sometimes death

12. Etruscan Architecture
Concrete was used to make buildings stronger and larger
An example would be the Colosseum, where gladiators fought
Another famous stadium, called Circus Maximus, was the home to multiple chariot races. This stadium could hold more than 200,000 spectators.
Video

13. Architecture Continued..
Coliseum The Pantheon The Circus Maximus

14. The Greeks The Greeks also had an influence on early Roman culture
The Romans learned about Greek culture when they settled in southern parts of Italy and on the island of Sicily
They often traded with the Greeks in Rome and abroad

15. Greek Writing The Romans borrowed the Greek alphabet
First, the Etruscans borrowed the Greek alphabet and modified it, then the Romans took the Etruscan alphabet and changed it even more
Like the Greeks, Romans wrote in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
The Greeks carved important documents into bronze or stone plaques and posted them for all to see. The Romans took this idea and started to record documents in writing.

16. Mythology Again? Roman Greek Jupiter (greatest god) Zeus
Venus (god of love) Aphrodite
Mars (god of war) Aries
The Romans were more concerned about carrying out rituals to please the gods, not telling myths about them