Unit 5

Rome

Chapter 14: Roman Beginnings & Republic

1. The first group of people to establish a civilization in Rome were the Etruscans.

2. The Etruscans established a monarch rule by King/Queen.

3. In 509 BCE, the Romans overthrew the Etruscans and established a republic.

4. The Roman Republic had a hierarchal format.

Consul*Two Ruler *selected by assembly*Head of government and army *1 year term

Senate300 membersknown as Patricianswealthy landowners—aristocratscontrolled foreign and financial policiesadvised consul on all matters

AssemblyCommoners and merchantsKnown as PlebeiansSelect consulsMake lawsElect tribunes to govern in the provinces

Judicial*Called Praetors *created two civil and criminal courts*8 judges chosen for one year by the Assembly *created courts to govern over provinces

5. The Assembly created Rome’s 1st laws called the Twelve Tables.

6. The Roman capital was located on the peninsula of Italy.

7. Roman military power was based on a well trained and well organized army divided into legions.

8. In an effort to control the Mediterranean world, Rome engaged in three wars with Carthage.

9. These wars were called the Punic Wars.

10. In winning the Punic Wars, Rome became the dominant power in the world and controlled the entire Mediterranean region.

11. Rome’s conquest did have some negative effects, including:

a. small farms disappeared

b. large estates were created in which slaves did most of the work.

c. Most farmers had to leave their land and move to the cities

d. The patricians and plebeians fought a civil war over land

12. Some Roman leaders in the Senate tried to solve Rome’s problems by doing the following:

a. The Gracchi brothers looked to give land to the poor and provide free wheat to the hungry.

b. Gaius Marius looked to give power to the army.

c. Lucius Sulla tried to give more power to the Senate.

d. Julius Caesar had himself crowned permanent dictator of Rome and pushed through many social reforms.

13. Julius Caesar was very popular with the people of Rome, but members of the Senate feared his power and they assassinated him on March 15, 44 BCE (Ides of March).

14. After Caesar’s death, power was divided between Mark Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus.

15. In 31 BCE, Octavian was crowned the first emperor (Caesar) of Rome. Rome’s government changed from a republic to an empire.

Chapter 15

The Roman Empire

• Complete Vocabulary

1. Octavian, better known as Augustus Caesar, became the first emperor of Rome in 27 BCE.

2. For the first 200 years of the Roman Empire, Rome went through a golden age. This period was known as the Pax Romana.

3. During the Pax Romana…

a. Trade increased

b. Laws were standardized

c. All children were allowed to attend school until at least 12 years old

d. Free games were staged in the Circus Maximus and Colosseum

4. Around 200 CE, the Pax Romana ended and Rome went into a decline for the following reasons:

• A. Too Big!!!!

• B. Rome became overcrowded causing pollution, crime, and unemployment.

• C. Rome experienced a string of bade emperors.

• D. From 235-284 CE, Rome had 19 emperors. During the Pax Romana, Rome had only 5 Emperors.

• E. Inflation

• F. Mercenaries in the army

• G. Poverty

• H. Germanic invasions

5. From 284-337 CE, two good emperors ruled over Rome—Diocletian and Constantine I.

6. Diocletian…

       a. Reduced inflation

    b. Created jobs

        c. Fortified their borders

        d. Restored people’s faith in government

        e. Ruled by Divine Right

        f. Reorganized the empire into two parts: East (Byzantium) and West (Rome)

7. Constantine I…

a. Defined very rigid social classes.

b. Defeated the Germans in a major battle in Europe.

c. Wealthy landowners increased the efficiency of their estates

d. Issued the Edict of Milan giving religious freedom throughout the empire.

8. The last Roman Emperor was overthrown in 476 CE by the Visigoths of Germany.

Chapter 16

Christianity

1. The birth of Jesus marked the beginning of the Common Era (CE).

2. When Jesus was about 30, he began to preach about God’s love for all people.

3. Roman leaders grew leery of the popularity of Jesus and condemned him to death for heresy.

4. The Apostle Paul was responsible for continuing the message of Jesus after his death. This helped make Christianity a world religion.

5. Until Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, Christians were heavily persecuted against in Rome. They were crucified, imprisoned, and fed to lions for entertainment.

6. In 313 CE, Constantine made Christianity legal and ended the the persecution of Christians.

 7. In 392 CE, Christianity was made the official religion of Rome by the Emperor Theodosius.

8. By the end of the 500s, Christianity had an organized church, a New Testament, and developed a Bible (OT & NT).

9. By 600 CE, the Christian Church created the position of Pope, and Latin became the official language.

10. In 1054, Christianity has its first official split. It was known as the Great Schism.

11. Greek speaking Christians did not recognize the Pope as the head of the church. They broke away and formed the Greek or Eastern Orthodox Church.

12. Christian laws are the 10 Commandments, their book is the Holy Bible, and their Gospels were written by disciples Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These Gospels made of the New Testament. Other stories of Christianity were written in letters called Epistles.