ANCIENT ROME CHAPTER 6

Legacy of Rome

Ancient Rome and Early Christianity, 500 BC– 500 AD

Founded on the Tiber River

Legends say that it all began when twin brothers Romulus and Remus were born.

At birth, they lost their mother, but miraculously were saved by a wolf and raised by it.

Both proved to be natural leaders, but quarreled over where they would start a new city. In this quarrel, Romulus killed Remus.

The Origins of Rome

Foreshadowing Metaphor

Roman History

The Roman

Republic The site of Rome was chosen for its fertile soil and strategic location. Located on the Italian peninsula in the center of the Mediterranean Sea; built on seven hills next to the Tiber River.

KEY

First “Romans” Latins found original settlement of Rome between 1000 and 500 B.C. Latins, Greeks, and Etruscans competed for control of region The government of early Rome was a monarchy. Different kings ruled Rome until 509 BC.

The Early Republic Romans overthrew a cruel Etruscan king in 509 B.C. and founded a REPUBLIC—government in which citizens democratically elect leaders.

A REPUBLIC is a type of representative democracy. NOT a pure democracy because only wealthy landowning men were citizens (same as in Greece).

Different groups struggled for power in the early Roman Republic:

Patricians—wealthy landowning class that held most of the power

Plebeians—everyone else: artisans, merchants, and farmers; can’t vote, can’t hold government jobs

Patricians and Plebeians

Twelve Tables In 451 B.C. officials carved Roman laws on twelve tablets; they became the basis for later Roman law. These laws confirmed that all free citizens would be protected by the law. (Citizenship was limited to adult male landowners).

Continued…

Law does not apply equally to all.

Government of the Roman RepublicConsuls—one to lead army, one to direct government Senate—chosen from Roman upper class; make foreign & domestic policy and laws Tribunes: elected by the Plebeian assembly Democratic assemblies elect senators and tribunes, sometimes make laws for common people

Why two?

The word “Dictator” has changed over time. In Rome, a dictator was an elected leader with absolute power appointed briefly in times of crisis.

-> Located near the Mediterranean Sea. -> Romans traded wine and olive oil for a variety of foods, raw materials and manufactured goods. -> One city they frequently traded with was Carthage.

Rome’s Commercial

Power

Roman legion —a military unit of 5,000 infantry; supported by cavalry Army is powerful; key factor in Rome’s rise to greatness Citizen soldiers, almost every male citizen in Rome knows how to fight, even if they are not professional fighters.

The Roman Army

The Roman army was incredibly well disciplined. Much of this was due to the Spartan-like training, where if soldiers would desert they would be punished by death.

Creates a system where soldiers are loyal to their generals and not to Rome or the State.

This plays a major role in

the rise of Julius Caesar.

The Roman Army 2

Continued…

Rome Conquers Italy Romans defeat Etruscans in north and Greek city-states in south

By 265 B.C., Rome controls Italian peninsula

Conquered peoples were treated justly; this enabled Rome to grow.

Defensive Aggression, the Romans find “potential” enemies at their borders and preemptively attack.

“Defensive Aggression”, alter utilized by rulers

such as Napoloen, Hitler, Hideki Tojo.

War with Carthage •Rome and Carthage begin Punic Wars—three wars between 264–146 B.C. •Hannibal—Carthaginian general—wants to fight back after losing to the Romans in the first Punic War.

Carthage/Hannibal-Carthage was Rome’s rival, with a vast commercial trade network, a large population and a greater navy. -Most of its military was made of mercenaries, (people paid to fight), and most of them were Numidians. -Hannibal surprised the Romans with 30+ elephants and an Iberian army. Although they won many battles, they lost many elephants to the cold and were not able to win the War.

Video 1

Video 2

Rome Victorious Roman general Scipio defeated Hannibal in 202 B.C. - Rome destroyed Carthage and enslaved its people.

Scipio

Carthage burning