1. The Geography of Ancient Rome

2. Map of Italy Alps Mountains Apennines Mountains Adriatic Sea
Tiber River
Adriatic Sea
Ionian Sea
Mediterranean Sea

3. The Geography of Ancient Rome
Based along the Tiber R.
Very small area with seven major rolling hills surrounding a flatter area
Swampy land below the Palatine hill will be cleared to make the Forum (meeting place)
This will become the center of the Republic

4. The Location of Rome Rome was located in Italy
Located on the Tiber River
Found nearly in the middle of Italy
Great access to the seas
Very fertile land
Great river access for trade
Protected by Alps Mountains to north and surrounded by water
Seas provided ways to travel, trade and some protection

5. The Formation of Rome
Roman legend says two twins were responsible for founding Rome
Romulus and Remus
Sons of Mars and a Latin princess
Twins were thrown into the river and raised by a she-wolf
Both wanted to be king of the new city they started – Romulus kills Remus for power
Names the city Rome

7. Early Founders/Groups of Rome
Early founders were Romulus/ Remus but the 1st real founders were…
The Latins around BCE
The 1st true “Romans”
Called the area Latium
Then the Greeks and the Etruscans come to area
All 3 groups battled for control of Ancient Rome
All 3 groups will bring cultural influences to the area such as religion, goods and other ideas

9. Influence of the Greeks
Greeks set up trading posts along coast
Used as land for colonization too
Needed farm land due to lack of land in Greece
Romans eventually borrowed the ideas in religion - Roman Mythology
Explained same 3 things as Greek mythology
Life events, natural phenomena, and superhuman traits
Greeks also taught them how to grow grapes and olives on the land

10. An Early Republic Forms
Etruscan kings ruled the area at first
Romans no longer wanted kings ruling
They overthrow the king and vow to kill anyone who tries to become king
They formed a republic – rule by the people
Republic- citizens who have the right to vote have the power
Citizenship in Rome – all free-born males
How does Roman citizenship compare to Greek citizenship?

11. Romans Struggle for Power
Two groups made up the early republic
Patricians- rich landowners
Held most of the power, but smaller population
Plebeians- commoners (farmers, artisans)
Larger population but had little power
Patricians felt that ancestry (powerful families) gave them power to make laws and hold office
Plebeians allowed to create an assembly
Created tribunes- protected them from unfair acts
Later gained them additional power

12. Plebeians Gain Some Power
A major victory for the plebeians was…
The 12 Tables – first Roman code of law
Written laws applied to all citizens of Rome
Before this laws were unwritten and the patricians took advantage so laws favored them
Created in 451 BC
Established idea of all people equal under the law
12 Tables were posted in the Forum for all to see
The Forum was created by draining swamps below the Palatine Hill by the Etruscans

14. Government of the Republic
Roman gov’t took the best of all govt’s
Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy
Had 2 Consuls- ran the army & gov’t
Could only serve 1 year every 10 years
2nd consul could override any decision
Senate- made laws and decisions
Was 300 nobles, then plebeians added
Membership was for life

15. Government of the Republic
Had 2 Assemblies-
Citizen-soldiers made up Centuriate Assembly
Was controlled by patricians (rich), changed
Appointed consuls and made laws
Plebeians made up the Tribal Assembly
Eventually became the law making assembly
Dictator- elected in times of crisis for 6 months
Had absolute power to make laws and run the army

16. The Roman Army
All citizens who owned land were required to fight in the Roman Legion
Organization and skill of Roman Army made them very successful in battles
Legion- group of 5000 soldiers
Usually heavily armored
Were foot soldiers or infantry
Had to serve 10 years to serve some offices
Cavalry- horse mounted soldiers
Century- smaller group of legion
All citizens who owned land were required to fight in the Roman Legion
Organization and skill of Roman Army made them very successful in battles
Legion- group of 5000 soldiers
Usually heavily armored
Were foot soldiers or infantry
Had to serve 10 years to serve some offices
Cavalry- horse mounted soldiers
Century- smaller group of legion

17. The Roman Legion 1 Equals 20 soldiers 4 Equals 80 soldiers = Century
Cavalry