Ancient RomeAncient Rome

TSWTSW: summarize the worldwide : summarize the worldwide influence of ideas the originated in the influence of ideas the originated in the

Roman Republic and Empire.Roman Republic and Empire.

Response Question:

What is the significance of the history, government, culture, and

advancements of Roman society on our world today?

GeographyGeography

Good farmland – due to many river valleysGood farmland – due to many river valleys Great climateGreat climate Middle of MediterraneanMiddle of Mediterranean Defensible – protected by the Alps in the Defensible – protected by the Alps in the

north, and the seanorth, and the sea

Italy in 750 BCEItaly in 750 BCEItaly in 750 BCEItaly in 750 BCEItaly first settled by three groups:

Etruscans

Latins

Greeks

Rome settled on Tiber River, 15 miles inland, surrounded by 7 hills.

Most groups organized into territories, towns and clans

Most were farmers or herdsmen.

The Founding of RomeThe Founding of Rome

The city of Rome was founded by twin The city of Rome was founded by twin brothers Romulus and Remus in 753 brothers Romulus and Remus in 753 B.C.E.B.C.E.

According to legend they were from a According to legend they were from a wealthy family and were abandoned by wealthy family and were abandoned by their uncle. their uncle.

A She-wolf took them in and raised them.A She-wolf took them in and raised them. Romulus killed his brother Remus and Romulus killed his brother Remus and

took control as leader of Rome.took control as leader of Rome.

Rome would then move on and gradually take over all

the other people of

Italy

Long, slow, difficult

process and Roman

success was by no means guaranteed

Conquest of Italy took over 100

years and Rome

suffered some

serious setbacks in the process

But through hard work,

perseverance, and luck, Rome

did it

Social Groups of the Roman Social Groups of the Roman RepublicRepublic

Romans came in at 500bc(Rome settled)Romans came in at 500bc(Rome settled) Patricians – wealthy Latin nobles – in the Patricians – wealthy Latin nobles – in the

Senate.Senate. Plebeians – merchants, landowners, small Plebeians – merchants, landowners, small

farmers and laborersfarmers and laborers Had the right to voteHad the right to vote Could not hold political officeCould not hold political office

Twelve Tables – written law – Hung in the Twelve Tables – written law – Hung in the ForumForum

Social and Political OrderSocial and Political Order

In the later years of the Republic the In the later years of the Republic the Plebeians became more powerful.Plebeians became more powerful.

They created a new assembly (Council of They created a new assembly (Council of Plebs) in 471. New leaders called Plebs) in 471. New leaders called Tribunes protected the Plebeians. A new Tribunes protected the Plebeians. A new law allowed intermarriage.law allowed intermarriage.

In 278 B.C.E. the Council received the In 278 B.C.E. the Council received the right to pass laws for all Romans.right to pass laws for all Romans.

Rome Spreads its PowerRome Spreads its Power

By 265, they had all of ItalyBy 265, they had all of Italy They challenge the other power in the They challenge the other power in the

Mediterranean, the Carthaginians located Mediterranean, the Carthaginians located in North Africa.in North Africa.

There were 3 separate Punic WarsThere were 3 separate Punic Wars Rome wins all threeRome wins all three

By 146bc, they are the undisputed By 146bc, they are the undisputed “Masters of the Mediterranean” “Masters of the Mediterranean”

The Roman RepublicThe Roman Republic Julius Caesar – forms a triumvirate with Crassus Julius Caesar – forms a triumvirate with Crassus

and Pompeyand Pompey They come into conflict and Caesar wins and They come into conflict and Caesar wins and

becomes sole ruler (dictator)becomes sole ruler (dictator) Caesar’s ContributionsCaesar’s Contributions

Granted citizenship to people outside of ItalyGranted citizenship to people outside of Italy Reduced slave laborReduced slave labor Invented our current calendarInvented our current calendar He made land reforms and gave land to the poor.He made land reforms and gave land to the poor.

Killed on the Senate floor by Crassus and Killed on the Senate floor by Crassus and Brutus in 44BCBrutus in 44BC

Public AmusementsPublic Amusements

Free bread and free entertainment kept Free bread and free entertainment kept poor from revoltingpoor from revolting

130 celebrated holidays a year130 celebrated holidays a year Circus Maximus was like the Texas Motor Circus Maximus was like the Texas Motor

Speedway seating 130,000Speedway seating 130,000 Gladiator duels, fighting animals, were Gladiator duels, fighting animals, were

popular eventspopular events

The ColosseumThe Colosseum

Public ImprovementsPublic Improvements Built vast amounts of roads that are still in use Built vast amounts of roads that are still in use

todaytoday Aqueducts – brought in all the water necessary Aqueducts – brought in all the water necessary

for the cities and farmsfor the cities and farms Temples for the gods- copied Greek style- Temples for the gods- copied Greek style-

massivemassive Forum- public area of the city- center- oration Forum- public area of the city- center- oration

etc.etc. Theaters- for entertainment- dramaTheaters- for entertainment- drama Coliseums- more fun, fights, gladiators, animalsColiseums- more fun, fights, gladiators, animals Baths- public places- series of rooms dif tempsBaths- public places- series of rooms dif temps

Rome’s Early Road Rome’s Early Road SystemSystem

Rome’s Early Road Rome’s Early Road SystemSystem

The Roman EmpireThe Roman EmpireThe First EmperorThe First Emperor

Octavian a.k.a. Augustus Caesar – was Octavian a.k.a. Augustus Caesar – was Rome’s First emperorRome’s First emperor Given the name Augustus (means “revered Given the name Augustus (means “revered

one” by Senate)one” by Senate) He was the absolute ruler of 70 to 100 million He was the absolute ruler of 70 to 100 million

peoplepeople The Pax Romana (Roman peace) lasted 200 The Pax Romana (Roman peace) lasted 200

yearsyears Rebuilt RomeRebuilt Rome Failed to develop a system for the selection of Failed to develop a system for the selection of

future emperorsfuture emperors

Bad Emperors 14 AD – 68 ADBad Emperors 14 AD – 68 AD

Tiberius – paranoid, he had many innocent Tiberius – paranoid, he had many innocent people accused of treasonpeople accused of treason

Caligula – became mentally disturbed and Caligula – became mentally disturbed and was killed by a palace guardwas killed by a palace guard

Claudius – could not focus well on the Claudius – could not focus well on the affairs of stateaffairs of state

Nero – probably insane, had his pregnant Nero – probably insane, had his pregnant wife and mother killed before he killed wife and mother killed before he killed himselfhimself

Good EmperorsGood Emperors NervaNerva – chosen by the Roman Army; Introduced – chosen by the Roman Army; Introduced

the practice of naming an heir/successor before the practice of naming an heir/successor before his death.his death.

TrajanTrajan – increased the empire to its greatest – increased the empire to its greatest sizesize

HadrianHadrian – strengthened Rome’s frontiers – strengthened Rome’s frontiers (Hadrian’s Wall)(Hadrian’s Wall)

Antonius PiusAntonius Pius – maintained empire’s – maintained empire’s prosperity; He introduced laws that required prosperity; He introduced laws that required humane treatment of slaves. He also introduces humane treatment of slaves. He also introduces the legal principle of innocent until proven guilty.the legal principle of innocent until proven guilty.

Marcus AureliusMarcus Aurelius – brought empire its greatest – brought empire its greatest economic prosperityeconomic prosperity

The Pantheon 128 A.D.The Pantheon 128 A.D.

Commissioned by Commissioned by Emperor HadrianEmperor Hadrian

Started in 118 A.D.Started in 118 A.D. It is a clock of sorts. It is a clock of sorts.

It tells the time by It tells the time by rays of light hitting the rays of light hitting the sculptures inside.sculptures inside.

Family Life in the Roman Family Life in the Roman EmpireEmpire

The family included parents, grandparents, The family included parents, grandparents, unmarried children, and married sons and their unmarried children, and married sons and their families.families.

Father of the family ruled the household (Called Father of the family ruled the household (Called paterfamiliaspaterfamilias))

Women had considerable power in their own Women had considerable power in their own families and many ran businesses and families and many ran businesses and managed estates, but could not vote and were managed estates, but could not vote and were not considered citizens.not considered citizens.

Ancestor worship was extremely important to Ancestor worship was extremely important to the family.the family.

Roman CultureRoman Culture

Golden Age- literature Horace, Virgil, Ovid Golden Age- literature Horace, Virgil, Ovid and Livyand Livy

Religion- state religion, many Emperors Religion- state religion, many Emperors expected to be worshipped as godsexpected to be worshipped as gods

Roman gods (mythology) reflected Greek Roman gods (mythology) reflected Greek mythologymythology

The Roman legacy- writing and the lawThe Roman legacy- writing and the law alphabet- should look familiar to usalphabet- should look familiar to us Romans wrote down everything- very literate, passed on Romans wrote down everything- very literate, passed on

to use use every day, alma mater, alter ego, per capita, to use use every day, alma mater, alter ego, per capita, vice versa, a.m/, p.m., RIP ,list goes on ad infinitumvice versa, a.m/, p.m., RIP ,list goes on ad infinitum

some consider the statutes and case law most important some consider the statutes and case law most important legacy- took idea that a written law can protect one legacy- took idea that a written law can protect one person from another- put it into practice- Because it’s person from another- put it into practice- Because it’s the laws means something to us- not necessarily in other the laws means something to us- not necessarily in other cultures.cultures.

tried to appeal to people through argument- idea of tried to appeal to people through argument- idea of people decidingpeople deciding

magistrates important in Rome- e.g. of Apostle Paulmagistrates important in Rome- e.g. of Apostle Paul

SlaverySlavery

Slaves made up 1/3 of the Roman population.Slaves made up 1/3 of the Roman population. Working conditions for slaves in the cities were Working conditions for slaves in the cities were

somewhat better.somewhat better. Not related to ethnicity or skin colorNot related to ethnicity or skin color Greek slaves educated and highly prizedGreek slaves educated and highly prized Laborers would often be chained together while Laborers would often be chained together while

working in the fields.working in the fields. Spartacus’ uprising in 73 B.C.E. was the largest Spartacus’ uprising in 73 B.C.E. was the largest

slave revolt, but not the only one.slave revolt, but not the only one.

Christianity and RomeChristianity and Rome

Helped Christianity spread- communicationHelped Christianity spread- communication Appeal- unrest, questioning of polytheismAppeal- unrest, questioning of polytheism

explained spiritual aspects, Christ’s teachingsexplained spiritual aspects, Christ’s teachings emphasis of eternal lifeemphasis of eternal life community exclusive (mystery religion)community exclusive (mystery religion)

Persecution- under Nero, blamed for firePersecution- under Nero, blamed for fire mostly tolerant, Christians refused to worship statemostly tolerant, Christians refused to worship state

Effect- spread slowly- letters formed NTEffect- spread slowly- letters formed NT officially tolerated 313 Edict of Milanofficially tolerated 313 Edict of Milan