*Chapter Six: Ancient Rome and Early Christianity

*Essential Questions:

1.How did Rome come to be such a powerful empire and how has it impacted our world today?

2.Describe the origins and rise of Christianity and explain why it was such an appealing religion.

*Section One: The Roman Republic

*While Greece was in decline a new city to the west was growing in power.

*Rome grew from a small settlement into a mighty civilization

I. The Origins of Rome

* Legend says Rome founded by twin boys Romulus and Remus in 753 BC

* Sons of god Mars and a Latin princess

* Boys abandoned in fear they would overthrow their grandfather’s kingdom

* sent down Tiber River, raised by a she- wolf- they built a city by the river

* In reality men built city of Rome by Tiber river b/c of its strategic location

A. Rome’s Geography

*Chosen for its fertile soil and strategic location at the mouth of the Tiber River

*Located on Italian peninsula and in center of Mediterranean Sea

*Built on hills by the Tiber River

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B. The First Romans

*Latins, Greeks, and Etruscans competed for control of the region

*Latins built original settlement of Rome between 1000 and 500 BC and are considered the first Romans

*Etruscans from the north influenced the civilization greatly, especially writing and architecture

II. The Early Republic*Early Rome was ruled by Etruscan kings*These kings build the first temples and public centers—the Forum the heart of political life

*The last king of Rome was Tarquin the Proud- a harsh tyrant

*In 509 BC- Tarquin was driven from power, Rome became a Republic—form of gov’t in which power rests with the citizens who have the right to vote for their representatives

*Citizenship in Rome was granted to free adult males who owned land

A. Patricians and Plebeians

*Different groups struggled for power

*Patricians—wealthy land owning class that holds most of the power- citizens

*Plebeians—artisans, merchants, farmers; can’t rule, can’t vote

*Plebeians allowed to form Tribunes—elected plebian reps who protect their rights from unfair acts of patricians

B. Twelve Tables

*The Twelve Tables- written code of laws- very important!

*Prior to Twelve Tables unwritten laws were interpreted by patricians to suit themselves

*12 Tables confirm right of all free citizens to protection of the law

C. Government Under the Republic

*Rome elects 2 consuls, similar to kings—1 to lead army, 1 to direct gov’t

*Senate—300 members chosen from Roman upper class; in charge of making foreign and domestic policy

*Democratic assemblies were elected, could make laws for common ppl

*Dictators, a leader who has absolute power, are leaders appointed briefly in times of crisis

*Roman Republic Simplified

2 ConsulsRule by 12 Tables

Senate elected by and from Patricians

Tribunesmade of Plebeians

D. The Roman Army *All land owning citizens were required to serve in the army*Certain public offices required 10 years of military service*Organized into legions—military unit of 5,000 foot soldiers (infantry) and a group of men on horse back (cavalry)* Legions were broken down into smaller groups of 80 men called a century*The army was very powerful and the key factor in Rome’s rise to greatness

III. Rome Spreads Its Powers

- for the next few hundred years Rome sought to expand its empire through trade and conquest

A. Rome Conquers Italy

*Romans defeated the Etruscans in the north and Greek city-states in south

*By 265 BC Rome controls Italian peninsula

*Conquered ppls treated fairly; had all rights of a regular citizen except right to vote

*fair treatment of conquered ppl allowed Rome to build a long lasting empire

B. Rome’s Commercial Network

*Rome’s location gave it easy access to the riches to the surrounding lands all along the Mediterranean Sea

*Traded wine for olive oil, a variety of food, raw materials, and manufactured goods

*Other large cities interfered w/ Roman trade, esp. Carthage

* Carthage

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C. War with Carthage

*Carthage was a rival city across the Mediterranean on the coast of Northern Africa

*264-146 BC- Rome and Carthage fight Punic Wars—three wars

1. 1st Punic War ended in defeat of Carthage

2. 218 BC- 2nd Punic War

- led by Carthage under General Hannibal

-Carthage army of 50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry, and 60 elephants

-Hannibal invaded Rome from north through Alps

-For over a decade Hannibal marched up and down the Italian peninsula attacking

- Roman General Scipio devised a plan to attack Carthage

-strategy forced Hannibal back home to protect Carthage

-Rome defeated Carthage in 202 BC

3. 149-146 BC- 3rd Punic War-Rome invaded Carthage, left it in ruins-After wars, Rome dominate in western Mediterranean

*Journal Assignment

*P. 157

*Study the “comparing Republican Governments” Chart

*Answer the Skill builder questions