Geography Peninsula: Italian Peninsula Mountains Alps: north
Apennines: length of Italy Rugged land made travel difficult
Volcano's: Mt. Vesuvius Hills: where they built their cities Rome
was built on 7 hills near the Tiber River
Slide 4
Climate Similar to California Warm dry summers & mild wet
winters Crops: grains, citrus fruit, and olives Plentiful food
Slide 5
Beginnings of Rome Aeneas (I-nee-uhs) Trojan Hero Greeks
destroyed Troy he left and went to Italy. Aeneid written by Virgil
Created an alliance with the Latin's Married the daughter of a
Latin King
Slide 6
Romulus & Remus According to Legend Descendants of Aeneas
Twins placed in a river Raised by wolves Found by a farmer Created
Rome
Slide 7
Rome's Early Kings 753 BC Romulus is the first king Roman
records say 7 kings ruled Rome Not all of them were Roman Last 3
were Etruscans Built temples, made sewers Alphabet & numbers
Last king was cruel Killed many 509 BC nobles rose up &
overthrew the king
Slide 8
Early Republic Republic: people elect leaders to govern them
Created in 509 BC by the nobles Elected officials Term limits: one
year Not a democracy Elected officials were wealthy Others had
little to no say in how Rome was run
Slide 9
External Challenges War for 50 years People from the region
During difficult wars they changed government Dictator: ruler with
absolute power Term limit: 6 months Cincinnatus Power in 458 BC
Farmer Returned power back to Rome before 6 months was up Admired
by the Romans
Slide 10
Internal Challenges Plebeians vs. Patricians Plebeian: common
people Peasants, craftsman, traders Some were as wealthy as
Patricians NOT allowed to participate in government Patrician:
nobles Elected officials Hold all political power 494 BC Plebeians
form a council Elected their own officials They outnumber the
Patricians Patricians change their mind: Plebeians can participate
in government
Slide 11
Government & Society Create a 3 part Government Written
Laws Roman Forum
Slide 12
Three Part Government Tripartite: government with 3 parts
Magistrates: elected officials Consuls: 2 most powerful Magistrates
1 year term Finances, games, & festivals Senate Roman Senate:
council of wealthy and powerful Romans that advised cities leaders
Advised consuls Held office for life Became more powerful than
magistrates Took control of finances Assemblies & Tribunes
Protected the common people Two branches
Slide 13
Assemblies & Tribunes Assemblies Included Patricians &
Plebeians Elect magistrates Voted on going to war Participate their
entire adult lives Tribunes Elected officials Veto: or prohibit
Term limit: 1 year