THE BIRTH OF ROMEA chronological Overview

ROMAN PERIODS Roman Periods in Recorded (and

non recorded History)

How Far Back Does History go in Italy?

Flint tools uncovered at Pirro Nord show that ancient humans were present in Italy 1.5 million years ago.

Neolithic Age

There were inhabitants in the Boot of Italy but it was a mixture of many cultures

They came from every direction. There was competing cultures and

conflict.

In November 2011 tests conducted at the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit in England on what were previously thought to be Neanderthal baby teeth, which had been unearthed in 1964 from the Grotta del Cavallo, were identified as the oldest modern human remains discovered anywhere in Europe, dating from between 43,000 to 45,000 years ago.

Ancient Astronaut

Petroglyphs called "astronauts" recently white coloured (probably plaster). Zurla Area, R 1, Rock Art Natural Reserve of Ceto, Cimbergo and Paspardo. Nadro, Rock Drawings in Valle Camonica.

Bronze Age

Inhabitants came from the corth They competed with cultures and there

were many conflicts Limited amount of migration as they were

insulated from the alps in the North and mountains to the east (Apennines)

Rome was on the Tiber River that brings down sediment from Volcanic mountains making it very fertile soil.

What do you notice about position

ca. 1800 BC

Remains of the later prehistoric age have been found in Liguria, Lombardy (stone carvings in Valcamonica) and in Sardinia (nuraghe). The most famous is perhaps that of Ötzi the Iceman, the mummy of a mountain hunter found in the Similaun glacier in South Tyrol, dating to c. 3000 BC (Copper Age).

Iron Age

1100-750 BC. There were houses on the Palentine Hill

that suggested to be created by Romulus. We will examine this later.

2000 Year old Roman Helmet

Archaic Period

750-509 BC

Dominated by the Etruscans Under this period we will see Rome built

and monarchy Unification of Parts of Italy

Archaic Age

Rapid Development Engaged in trade, art, and developing

new technology Used Greek writing so we now know what

is going on at this time

Archaic Age

Roman forum created.

Roman Forum

Was the community centre An important place we will see numerous

times in history

The forum was begun as a marsh that was drained using a major canal.

PEOPLE LIVING IN ROME

Different Cultures Living in Rome

The Traditional Period

Rome began as a small farming village, but it would grow into a large ancient city that is still active today. There is a legend about the founding of Rome that goes back to the Trojan War.

Take the time to read the story Answer the question: The foundation

myth or legend tells a lot about a people. What does this tell us about Rome.

The city of Rome is located in the Latium Plain along the banks of the Tiber River on the Italian Peninsula, which is just west of the Greek Peninsula.

People Living in Rome During this Age

Celts- Came across the Alps and settled into the Po Valley and down the Coast

Greeks- Were stationed at the instep of the boot and in Sicily

Phoenicians- Settled in the north with the Etruscans and lived in Northern Africa. They got along as both hated Greeks.

Etruscans

Etruscans

They formed federation of 12 communities (though there is evidence of more)

They cooperated on some things and not on others

Ancient legend has that they came from the East in the Iron Age

BORROWED CULTURECultural Influence in Rome

Etruscan Gold Work

The Etruscans were able to create elaborate pieces of gold work.

They will teach the Romans how to do this

One will notice the use of Eastern influences in topics and designs.

Note: The use of the Lion comes from this period. Romans would never have seen a Lion

Chimera

A mythical creature is also borrowed from the Etruscans. It is a combination of lion, goat and snake.

Sculpture

The stylistic development of Etruscan sculpture largely parallels that of the Greeks, due to the strong cultural influence of the latter on the former (via Greek settlements in southern Italy). Consequently, Etruscan sculpture of the Archaic period is heavily stylized

Apollo of Veii

Aeneas

This is a Greek myth that they adapted for their own purpose

They wanted to have their own foundation myth but did not want a Greek discoverer.

They used Aeneas who was a refugee from Rome who escaped the Greeks.

He carried Anchises, his dad, on his back to Italy. (This part is an Etruscan myth)

Togas

Togas were something that the Romans were famous for.

They were actually an Etruscan type of clothing.

They were often only worn by Etruscan religious officials

The Etruscan tebbena developed into the Roman toga.

Reading Entrails

The use of sacrifices and reading entrails was an important part of Etruscan religion.

Burial Practices

Use of Necropolis (Dead Cities) is an Etruscan practice.

It is a city that mirrors the living ones The sarcophagus would be placed at dinner

with the rest of their families so that they could enjoy their family in the afterlife.

Important for archaeologists as they can get an understanding of the life of these people.

Cloaca Maximus

Roman Sewers

Writing systems

At first they used Greek and then they changed to Latin

Buildings and Architecture

These were both borrowed from Greek and Etruscan architecture.

The uses of columns were Greek as were they types of columns (Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian)

The Differences we will examine

Greek Panthanon

Etruscan Temple

Greeks used stairs on all four sides. Greeks used Freestanding columns on

four sides. Etruscans used columns in the front in a

recessed porch. They had one stair case that focused on

the main entrance to the temple. The Etruscans used a high podium (base) Etruscans also had rooms for their gods

(Cela)

DATING IN ROME

How do we date things this Old

We most often use the Gregorian Calendar. It was created by the emperor Julius Caesar and it pivots around the Christian birth of Jesus Christ. This is the one we use universally today. This was not known during the Republic as it was before the traditional date for the birth of Jesus. ( They could not predict that Jesus was going to be born) When these dates are used in historical context, they are often translated from their original date.

Roman Ab Urbe Condita which is based on the founding of Rome. All dates would be related to the founding of Rome in 753 BC.

Consular Dates were also used. During the Republic there were two consulars. They would hold that office for a specific amount of time. The republic standard until 537 BC was to use who was the consulars at that time. Using those two names they could pinpoint a time frame as Romans kept great records of who was the consular at what time.

Inscriptions

Inscriptions were usually produced for a particular event or reason. We have three types of inscriptions that will help us understand about the time and the what was going on. We have official inscriptions that would be placed on buildings or monuments.

We have graffiti that would give information about the popular culture and what was important to the people at that time. Then we also have funeral inscriptions that give us information about daily lives and families.

Archaeological Evidence

Archaeological materials is what is taken out of the ground. The clay pots and other “material cultures” give a lot of information about the time that these people were living in.

Coins

Coins were used for propaganda (then and now). They give us dates and tell us who was in power and events going on during those times that the Romans considered important.

We still use the word Rex for king today.

There was some skeptics about the kings starting in 19th century. There was very little evidence.

They discovered some pots from that age with the word rex on it.

There are also some buildings from that period in the Roman Forum.

What did they mean by Rex?

Did they mean monarch?

We know that they did build temples at that time to legitimize the office.

They also created the congress of senators to advise the king that would be found in future Roman government (And in Canadian government)

Regal Period

753-509 BC Regal means Kings (Monarchy).

There is some evidence that this did occur though there is a weak political record.

Historians rely on documents that have been lost to us but recounted in later ancient sources.

Regal Period

This is not exactly dates but more of an accounting of what happened. This happened, then this, then this.

This is all supported by Etruscan lore and legend written later by Romans.

Historians are unsure what exactly happened as we cannot decipher Etruscan writing.

Legend/ Myth of Romulus and Remus

The Romans did not want to adopt a past that had Greek influence.

They chose the Battle of Troy but picked Aeneus as their hero from this mythical legend.

This brought us the story of Romulus and Remus

Romulus

753-717 BC

Romulus was probably mostly made up of legend.

His name means “Roman Guy” He is suppose to have given his name to

the city.

Romulus

Created all institutions Senate 3 Tribes 30 Curiae

Legend has that he went North to Eturia to ask men if they wanted to resettle in Rome. He ended up with pirates, criminals and undesirables. There were no women.

He and the men invited the Sabine men (From the South in Latium) to a party and while there they went and stole the Sabine women. This is known as the Rape of the Sabine women. Many of these women married the Romans.

He became a god upon death.

Numa Pompilius

Numa Pompilius

716-674 BC Pious and religious Was a foreigner who built up religion in

Rome Established a calendar to be used Had great writing skills Built a relationship with Greece

Tallus Hostilius

Tallus Hostilius

673-642 BC Was a warrior Tallus conquered Alba Longa and

transferred the population to Rome

Ancius Marcius

Ancius Marcius

642-616 BC He was Numa Pompillus’ grandson

through his daughter He built the first bridge over the Tiber

River. He extended Roman territory over the

coast and established the port city of Ostia.

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus

616-578 BC Was both Greek and Etruscan He made the senate larger He established games and public

entertainment

Servius Tullius

578-534 BC Built wall around Rome Originally a slave (changed name) and

married into the Tarquini family Appears to have had a broad base of

support based on popularity Champions the common people over the

aristocracy.

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus

534 – 509 BC He was a tyrant in the modern sense of the word He took the throne by murdering the past king He loved to build things He brought Rome to dominate central Italy The power of the king continued to increase He tried to check the strength of the aristocracy

when Brutus (The Stupid) organized a revolt and drove out the opressor

Dating Time in Rome

Traditional Roman Chronology There are many ways that we as

historians and how the Romans dated their history. There is not a great deal of writing in the beginning. We know that they knew how to write during these periods but the Romans did not write down their history for a while.

Regal Period Comes to an End

We do know that there were a series of kings in Roman History.

We do know that the last king was kicked out of Rome.

We do know that this made Romans very wary of monarchy government.

This archaeological Evidence Suggests

Founding of Ancient Rome is based on the myth of Romulas and Remus. We actually have a few artifacts to support that there was a settlement where the myth has stated that they built Rome. The holes where the poles would go would make a thatched house.

Archaeological Evidence

Hut Pottery

Moved to Tarquinia in mid-7th century, bringing Greek artisans

Father of future Roman king, Tarquinius Priscus

Servius’ Wall built by last King

Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus

Did the Roman Monarchy Happen?

There is enough evidence to suggest that it did happen but the amount of truth to the legends need to be analyzed with some consideration.

The 7 Kings of Rome

Monarchy from ca. 700-500 BC With the founding of Rome there were

seven kings. This is given to us by a number of

sources that were written long after the period.

Of all the kings, tarquinius superbus was the most realistic.

Republic Period

509-31 BC This used the concept of Res privata.

That all things owned by an individual is a public thing and limited the distinction between private and public affairs.

In this period the form of government was quite successful until the last bit. Magistrates were drawn from the people who were ruled by the aristocrats who were overseen by the senate.

Imperial Period

(31BC- 476 AD) The magistrates and senate still were

present in the government. The Romans were very wary of kings so

this maintaining the magistrates and senate was important to keep up that illusion.

The magistrates and the senate were not able to do much as all power was dominated by an Emperor.