Ancient Rome A) Geography Mediterranean Sea Alps Mountains Italian Peninsula Shaped like a boot! B) Roman Mythology Based on the Greek polytheistic religion Offered explanations of natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events. Roman Gods and Goddesses: Jupiter King of the Gods, thunder and the sky. Juno Queen of the Gods, the Patron goddess of Rome Gods and Goddesses: Apollo God of sun and music Diana Goddess of the Moon and Hunting Minerva Goddess of Wisdom/War Venus Goddess of Love ANCIENT ROME: SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND CITIZENSHIP The Roman Republic, 509 BC- 27 BC 1.Rome had a Republic and a Representative Democracy People had the power b/c they elected people to vote for them! Social Structure in the Roman Republic Top Class Patricians Powerful Nobility (few in number) Plebians Peasants and craftsmen; had to work! Slaves Did most of the work; Not based on race Citizenship: Who Could Vote?? Patrician and Plebeian Men Some Foreigners (allowed to be citizens) Unlike the Greek civilization Women and slaves, uh no! Rights and responsibilities of citizenship Taxes Military service THE PUNIC WARS: ROME V. CARTHAGE Who was Carthage? Carthage was a Phoenician city, located in Northern Africa Hannibal used elephants to invade Italy; Rome wins! Expands trade The Rise of the Roman Empire (duh duh duh) Whyd the Roman Republic Fall? 1.Growth of Rome Defeated Carthage, now theyre on the map! 2.Civil Wars which Julius Caesar wins (named Dictator for life) 3.Inflation (moneys not worth as much) 4.Slavery (makes things unstable) 5.High Unemployment/Farmers Revolting People arent getting paid, theyre not happy with the govt. Imperial Rome 1. Julius Caesar Seized power in 45 BC after epic battle Murdered in 44 BC by members of the Senate 2. Augustus Caesar(Octavian) Beats Marc Antony to become Romes 1 st emperor! VS Pax Romana 1.2 centuries of peace and prosperity under emperors 2.Expanded Roman Empire, esp. in the Near East (Byzantine Empire) 3.Uniform money, safe travel on roads, 3. Political Impact The Twelve Tables of Roman Law Christianity Takes Root in Ancient Rome Beliefs, Traditions, Customs: 1.Monotheism: Rooted in Judaism 2.Jesus as both Son and incarnation (embodied in flesh) of God 3.Life after Death (Heaven or Hell) 4.New Testamentsacred text Contains accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as writings of early Christians 5.Christian doctrine established by early church councils Council of Nicaea, 325 ADdecided which books became part of the Bible we have today Constantine: Made Christianity Constant!! CONTRIBUTIONS OF ANCIENT ROME Contributions of Ancient Rome: 1.Art/architecture: 1. The Colosseum Hosted the Gladiator Games Seated 50,000 ppl! 2. The Forum Center of the city All the important buildings were located here 3. Pantheon 1)Temple to all the Roman gods Contributions of Ancient Rome: Technology Roads: 1 st to do concrete! Aqueducts: Transports water across a gap Roman Arches: Became more elaborate over time Contributions of Ancient Rome: Religion Roman mythology Adoption of Christianity as the imperial (state) religion Law The principle of innocent until proven guilty From the Twelve Tables Decline of the Roman Empire Causes of the Decline: 1.Geographic Size: Empire gets way too big, and is split! Difficult to defend and govern Causes: 2.Economy Cost too much to defend and Roman money lost its value 3.Military Army membership starting to include non- Romans, resulting in in-fighting and little respect for authority. 4.Moral decay Peoples loss of faith in Rome and the family 5.Political problems In-fighting among emperors, who were weak leaders Causes: 6.Invasion Rome will be continually attacked by Barbarian tribes from Europe WHAT HAPPENS NOW? Division of the Roman Empire What Happened? Empire is too big, and splits into East and West in 284 AD The Division of the Roman Empire, A.D. 284The Division of the Roman Empire, A.D. 284 (right click, open hyperlink) Division of Roman Empire: 1.Constantine becomes emperor in 324 AD. He moves the capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople 2.The Western Roman Empire will survive until 476 (AD), when it ceased to have a Roman Emperor. Undisciplined troops left the West in danger! **With its fall, Europe enters into the Middle Ages! 3. Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) Eastern Empire will continue until 1453!! Remained a powerful cultural center in Europe/Asia