1. The Ancient Roman World

2. Greek and Roman Religion
The Greeks and Romans practiced polytheism
numerous gods and goddesses whose origins were established through traditional stories of mythology.

3. Greek and Roman Religion
The Greeks and Romans shared many of the same religious concepts
Roman culture was influenced by Hellenistic diffusion (Egypt, Persia, India)

4. The Roman Republic
Roman Republic developed concepts of government by laws
Government – Major Positions
Consuls (2)
Head of government, act as commanders-in- chief. Become senators at the end of term.
Senate (300)
Supervise government matters, especially military and foreign affairs. Serve for life.
Tribunes (10)
Guard rights of plebeians can veto senators and other officials. Serve for one year.

5. Social Classes of the Roman Republic
Patricians: wealthy landowners
Plebeians: common farmers, artisans, and merchants (majority)
Barred by law from holding important government positions.
Eventually form tribunes: protected the rights of the plebeians from unfair acts of patrician officials

6. Punic Was: Rome vs. Carthage
Three wars stretching from 246 to 146 BCE
Carthage originated as a Phoenician colony.
Rome emerges as the Mediterranean power.

7. Ending Carthage…Would you like salt on that?

8. The Roman Republic Crumbles
After Punic Wars; republic becomes unstable
Economic Turmoil
Rich live on big estates (with lots of slaves)
Small farmers had difficulty competing
Civil War: Tribunes tried for reforms but made enemies with senators
Generals start to gain power (recruiting soldiers turned farmers—promising them land) and take over by force

9. Julius Caesar Takes Power
Caesar appointed lifelong dictator in 44 BCE
Reforms:
Extends Roman citizenship to provinces;
Expanded the senate
Built new public buildings

11. Caesar Killed by Senators March 15th 44 BCE
Started from the bottom, now I’m here!
Is he holding a chair?

12. The Early Empire More civil war Roman Republic destroyed Eventually…
Octavian rules; becomes Augustus Caesar
Pax Romana (207 years)
After Augustus death, empire remained stable

13. The Empire’s Territory

14. Opener
On an index card (get one from me), put your name and class period, and then write a few sentences about one of the following topics (CHOOSE ONE):
Plebeians and patricians
Athens versus Sparta
Greek and Roman mythology
Oligarchy vs Democracy
American Democracy vs Direct Democracy

15. Christianity in the Roman World
Originally Christians are persecuted by the empire
Christianity threatened the Roman social structure
Christianity gradually came to be accepted, then spread throughout the Roman world

16. Christianity becomes Rome’s religion
Peter spread Christianity on Roman roads and served as the FIRST BISHOP.
The Emperor Constantine ended persecution of Christians.
The emperor Theodosius made Christianity the empire’s religion.

17. The Empire Splits

18. The Western Roman Empire Collapses
Factors for collapse
Economic Weakness
Inflation
Disruption of trade
Military Overextension
Too many places to protect and lack of loyalty
Invasions
Germanic Tribes (Goths, Ostrogoths, and Visigoths)
Huns
The Eastern Empire thrives, and becomes the Byzantine Empire.