roman empire

Roman Empire

Chapter 10 & 11

Geography

• Italy is covered in two mountain ranges, the Alps & the Apennines. The difficulty of crossing the mountains forced many cities to settle on rivers (Tiber River) for trade & fresh water.

• Rome’s mild climate led to a plentiful food supply & allowed early cities to grow.

Aeneas• Romans believed that their

early culture came from Aeneas, a Trojan leader. Aeneid, epic poem written by Virgil, tells about Aeneas’ trip to Italy after the destruction of Troy.

• In order to form an alliance & later become ruler he married the daughter of the Latin king.

Romulus & Remus

• Romulus & Remus were the twin brothers raised by a wolf & later adopted by a shepherd.

• As they planned the city Remus mocked an idea of Romulus. In anger, Romulus killed Remus & named the city after himself, Rome.

Republican Government

2 Consuls (Rulers of Rome)

Senate (Representative body for

patricians)

Tribal Assembly (Representative body for

plebeians)

The Twelve Tables, 450 BCE

Providing political and socialrights for the plebeians.

Patricians vs. Plebeians

Patricians• Wealthy powerful citizens.• Nobles• Small minority of the

population• Once controlled all aspects

of government• After 218 B.C., not allowed

to participate in trade or commerce

Plebeians• Common people• Peasants, crafts-people,

traders, other workers• Majority of population• Gained right to participate

in the government• Only Romans who could be

traders, so many became wealthy

Roman vs. U.S. government• Magistrates were elected

officials (consuls). They were elected each year to rule the city, lead the army, & judge court cases. There were always 2 consuls

• A president is elected every four years. He runs the government as a representative of the people. He leads the armed forces. Only 1 president at a time.

Senate• Roman Senate was a council

of wealthy & powerful Romans that advised the city’s leaders (consuls)

• Served for life• Originally the Senate was

made up of patricians, but over time plebeians became the majority.

• U.S. Senate are representatives of the states often wealthy & powerful.

• 6 year term, no term limit.

Assemblies/Tribunes & House of Representatives

• Assemblies/Tribunes• Represented the common

people, they had the ability elected magistrates, veto laws, & declare wars. Tribunes served for one year.• House of Representatives• Represented the common

people, had the ability to pass laws & declare war.

• Representatives serve two year terms.

Roman & U.S. government• Checks & Balances• Both governments believed in checks & balances – the idea

that no one part of the government should have complete control.

• Allows other branches to limit the power of each other branch.

Rome was ruled by a “Triumvirate” (a group of three men)

Pompey-a great politician & Caesar’s son-in-law

Caesar-the famous general

Crassus-the wealthiest man in Rome

In 53 B.C.

Crassus dies…

This ends the First Triumvirate and sets Pompey and Caesar

against one another.

Julius Caesar: Introduction

Their fears seem to be valid when Caesar refuses to enter Rome as an ordinary citizen after the war.

Instead, he marches his army on Rome and takes over the government.

Julius Caesar: Introduction

But the people don’t mind—in fact, they love him.

Caesar is made “dictator for life.”

Julius Caesar gained support of the people by:Spending money for public entertainmentEstablishing laws that freed farmers and tradesmen from heavy taxesPromising to improve the overall economySuggesting new laws, most of which were approved by the Senate. Reorganizing the army. Improving the way the provinces were governed.

Caesar was an ambitious leader…

Julius Caesar ruled 50 BC to 44 BC• Conquers Rome by bringing

his army to Rome & executing his former allies.

• Caesar reduced the power of the Senate.

• Ides of March (March 15, 44BC) the Senators attacked & stabbed him to death.

Control of the Mediterranean world

• Reasons for Rome’s expansion• Control hostile neighbors • Resources• Some emperors liked to fight

• Pantheon

• Coliseum

Language & Law

• Latin words are common in science & legal terms.

• Civil law – a legal system based on written codes of law.

• This system of law spread around the world with the Roman Empire.

Destruction of Jerusalem• As Rome conquered they

accepted the Gods of the other religions as not to offend their subjects.

• Some Romans believed that the Jews were insulting their gods by just having one.

• The Jews rebelled twice so Rome destroyed Jerusalem.

Christianity• Initially a small religion persecuted like Judaism, but both were

monotheistic religions.• Early Christians were executed or put into the Roman games.• As Christianity grew it spread through Rome & became the

major religion of the empire.

Beginning of the end• The Roman Empire was divided, which created the Eastern

Roman Empire & the Western Roman Empire.• Emperor Diocletian to divide the empire do to internal & external

problems. The empire was seen to be to big for one person.• Emperor Constantine came to power & moved the capital east to

modern day Turkey. His new capital was called Constantinople (Istanbul).

Destruction of Rome

• Late 300s – Huns (central Asia) invaded

Europe.– This invasion moved the

Goths (France) south towards the Roman Empire

– Rome paid the Goths to fight for them, but Rome stopped paying.

• The Goths sacked, destroyed, Rome 410 AD.

Factors to Rome’s fall

• Empire became to large & was attacked by barbarians.

• Corruption – the decay of people’s values. Bribes & threats used to achieve goals.

• Wealthy citizens left

Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire)

• As Rome crumbled the eastern empire grew in wealth & power.

• Greek was studied. Christianity: priests can marry, services in Greek not Latin. Formed the Eastern Orthodox Church.

• 1453 the Eastern Roman Empire fell to the Ottoman Turks, after a 1,000 year history.