The Romans

Chapter 6Section 1Section 2Section 3Section 5

Legend vs. Reality

• Twins, Romulus and Remus, raised by she-wolves and decided to build a city near the spot they were abandoned by their father, the god Mars, and a Latin Princess.

• Reality- spot was chosen due to it’s location and fertile soil.– Seven rolling hills located near the

Tiber River in the center of the Italian Peninsula

– Near the mid-point of the Mediterranean sea.

Early Settlers

• Arrived between 1000 and 500 BC

• Greeks, Latins and Etruscans- Latins built the original Rome

• Greeks established colonies in southern Italy which brought them in contact with Greek culture

• Etruscans known for metal working, writing and architecture

Early Roman Republic

• Rome became controlled by Etruscan kings around 600 BC

• Last one Tarquin the Proud was a harsh dictator– Romans established res

Republica (means public affairs)– A republic is a form of

government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders (Free born male citizens)

Roman Law

• Tribunes- the elected representatives of the plebeians’ assembly to protect the plebeians from unfarir acts of patrician officials

• The Twelve Tables– 451 BC- laws were carved on 12

stone tablets and hung in the forum (center of government)

– Guaranteed the ideas of free citizens having equal protection under the law.

The Struggle for Power

• Patricians- wealthy land owners– Had and wanted to retain most of the

power– Inherited power based on social status– Held the highest government positions

• Plebeians- commoners– Farmers, artisans, and merchants– Made the majority of the population– Citizens with the right to vote– Barred from holding the highest

positions in government

What the Romans Valued

• Their Government– republic

• Their Military– All land owners required to

serve– 10 years service required for

some political offices– Key factors in Rome’s rise

• Fighting skills• Military organization

Military Organization

Legion

Infantry5000

Calvary

Century80

Century80

Century80

Century80

We support

the Infantry

There were more of us…

we could move

FAST!

The Spread of Roman Power Conquest

• By 265 BC Rome controlled the Italian Peninsula

• Treated conquered people differently (LENIENCY)– Nearest to Rome= Full

Citizens– Citizenship w/out right to vote– Allies of Rome- 2 conditions

• Must supply soldiers for army• Can not make Allies with anyone

else but Rome

The Spread of Roman Power Trade & a Commercial Network• Location, Location, Location• Land and Sea• Traded olive oil and wine

for foods, raw materials and manufactured goods

• Other powerful traders interfered with the access to the Mediterranean

Patricians or PlebiansMake a Venn-Diagram and fill it in using the following:

Could voteWealthy AristocratsLandowner, merchants,

shopkeepers, farmersRequired to pay taxes

Could hold public office from the start

Resented lack of powerElected the tribunesCould not hold public

officeMandatory military

sevice

Punic Wars

The First Punic Wars

• Rome vs. Carthage (a civilization in N. Africa) over control of Mediterranean trade

• Events– Control of Sicily & Western

Med.– Lasted 23 years– Rome won

Second Punic War

• Hannibal• 50,000 infantry & 9000

cavalry• 60 elephants• Goal= Capture Rome• Path across Spain through

the Alps• For 10 years his army

taunted the Romans

The Third Punic War

• Hannibal had been in Italy for all those years, but Romans held out

• Roman general (Scipio) had a plan– GET HANNIBAL OUT OF ITALY– Attack Carthage – Rome burned the city and sold

50,000 residents into slavery– made it a Roman territory=

control

The Roman Empire

Chapter 6Section 2

The Collapse of the Republic• As the Romans expanded,

their republic form of government gradually became unstable

• Things that brought problems to the republic:1. Economic turmoil:2. Military Upheaval:

Economic Turmoil and More• Huge gap between rich and poor,

slaves were largest group• Former soldiers sell land to estates• They become homelessness (urban

poor) or migrant laborers• Generals seized more personal power,• New group of soldiers (urban poor or

migrants) rejoined the army• New soldiers owed allegiance to their

generals who promise them wealth• The Republic is now in a position to be

taken over by one of them

Military Upheaval (Review)• The military was once very

loyal to Rome. (Because they were “Romans”)

• They began to recruit non-Romans who fought for their commander who promised them things, rather that fighting for ROME

• This gave the military more power, and the military leaders gained power too

Julius Caesar’s Rise to Power• He was a powerful general• Elected as counsel to run

the government as a Triumvirate (Group of 3 rulers)

• He served as counsel for 1 year

• Appointed himself governor of Gaul

Julius’ Rise to Power (pt.2)• Conquered Gaul by fighting

along side his soldiers and won their allegiance

• People in Rome are talking about him

• Pompey (Counsel) feared Caesar's popularity and ordered his legion to disband

Caesar’s Return to Rome

• Caesar Crosses the Rubicon River and Pompey runs away!

• 46 BC Caesar defeats the opposition in the senate

• 44 BC- he was appointed dictator for life

Caesar’s Leadership as an Absolute Ruler

Reforms brought to the empire1. Granted citizenship to people

in provinces2. Expanded the senate & added

supporters from throughout Italy and other region

3. Jobs for poor (public buildings)

4. Started colonies for more people to own land

5. Increased pay for soldiers

The Results of Reform

1. Nobles feared their own loss of power

2. Some considered him a tyrant and wanted him dead.

Death of Julius Caesar:March 15, 44 BC 23 important senators led by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius plotted to kill him in the senate chamber- all stabbed him to death

Pause and Review:

• Create an Acrostic with a partner for “COLLAPSE” in which you describe the end of the republic and formation of the Empire

Rome after the assassination of Julius Caesar• After Caesar’s death civil war

broke out in Rome• Second Triumvirate came to

rule consisting of– Octavian (Caesar’s adopted son)– Mark Antony (A general)– Lepidus (Powerful politician)

• Eventually Octavian came out on top

• Octavian took the title of Augustus which means: exalted one or emperor

A Vast and Powerful Empire• Augustus’ rule ushered in

the Pax Romana meaning: Roman Peace– 207 years– Time of prosperity– 3 million square miles– Population = 60-80 million– 1 million lived in the city of

Rome

Aspects of Augustus’ rule

• Efficient government with strong rule

• Stabilized the frontier• Glorified Rome with public

buildings• Civil service= paid government

workers• Plebeians became civil servants

and eventually administered the empire.

After the death of Augustus• The Empire continued to

remain stable (due to the large civil service), but he forgot to do one thing…appoint a successor.

Trade and Industry

• Trade was made possible through1. Thriving agriculture2. Common coinage (money)3. Trading network of roads and

shipping

• Most important industry in Rome was agriculture– About 90% of Romans were

farmers

Slavery and Society

• About 1/3 of the population were slaves

• Most slaves were property meaning that their owner could punish, reward, set free or kill them.

• Society– Many Romans were poor– The government gave them

“entertainment”• Gladiators

Religion in the Roman Empire

Chapter 6 Section 3

The Rise of Christianity

The Romans and The Jews• Roman power spread to Judea

around 63 BC• Romans allowed the Jews to

remain independent (in name) • Jews practiced their faith• In AD 6, Rome took control of

the Jewish province• Many Jews believed they would

be free again- based on the Savior God promised

The Life and Teachings of Jesus

• 6-4 BC Born in the Roman Empire-

• Raised in the Jewish tradition

• Was a carpenter by trade• Ministry at age 30=

preached, taught, did good works, performed miracles

Jesus’ Teachings

• Ideas from the Jewish tradition– Monotheism– Ten Commandments

• Emphasized and stressed– God’s personal relationship to

each person– Love for God, neighbors, enemies

and self– God would end wickedness– Eternal kingdom for those who

sincerely repent for their sins

More About His Life

• Few historical records• Gospels= First four books of

New Testament are the best record of his teachings

• His fame grew as he preached and ignored wealth, fame, and status

• He especially appealed to the poor

Jesus’ Death

• Jesus claimed to be the MESSIAH- or savior- Jewish leaders denied this claim

• Jewish leaders accused him of blasphemy

• Pontius Pilate accused him of defying Roman authority

• Sentenced to death by crucifixion

A New Religion

• Christianity began following His death

• Pax Romana allowed this to spread freely

• Paul (apostle) wrote Epistles in the common languages of Latin and Greek clarifying the Christian belief system

Jewish Rebellion and Christian Persecution• Two Jewish rebellions led to the

destruction of their holiest temple and the Diaspora- dispersal of Jews from their homeland * will last 1800 yrs.

• Christians refused to worship Roman gods and were blamed for political and economic troubles in the empire.

• Decline of Pax Romana= increased persecution of Christians– Crucified, burned, fed to animals

A New World Religion

• Appeals of Christianity• Constantine accepted

Christianity• End of persecution of

Christians in 313 AD• 380 AD the emperor

Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the empire

Note about section 4

• This section was not presented as a lecture, so no Power Point presentation was given

Rome’s Enduring Legacy

Chapter 6 Section 5

Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization

Greco-Roman Culture

• A.K.A. classical civilization• Combination of Greek,

Hellenistic, and Roman cultures and beliefs.

• “Greece, once overcome, overcame her wild conqueror”– What does this mean?

The Fine Arts of Rome

• Art and literature represented Roman ideals of strength, permanence and solidity.

• Learned sculpture from the Greeks, but theirs was more realistic

• Art was used for public education

Bas Relief Sculpture

• Carved image projecting from a flat background-

• usually represented soldiers, crowds of people, or landscapes

Mosaics

• Pictures or designs made by placing small stones, tiles, or glass onto a flat surface.

Dionysos is the god of wine

Painting- Frescos• Bright, large

murals painted directly onto walls

• Best examples are at Pompeii and were preserved by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius

Venus and Mars

Literature and Philosophy• Again, borrowed from the

Greeks• Stoicism= encouraged

virtue, duty, moderation and endurance

• Virgil= poet who modeled his writing after Homer. Wrote the Aneid which glorified the Roman government

The Recording of Roman History

• Livy- wrote a multivolume Roman history that incorporated legends and myths- not a true history

• Tacitus- presented accurate facts- even when it was critical of the actions of some emperors

The Legacy of the Roman Language

– Latin– Basis for education long

after the fall of the empire and R.C.C. until the 20th century

– Influenced “Romance” languages (French, Spanish, Portugese, Italian, Romanian and English)

The Legacy of Roman Architecture

• Spectacular building (Coliseum) combined arches, columns and concrete– Thomas Jefferson= models for the

US capital and other public buildings

• Aqueducts- water channels that brought water into cities

• Roman Roads- some are still in use today

Influence of Roman Law

• Their most lasting and wide-spread influence– Equal treatment under the law– Innocent until proven guilty– Burden of proof with accuser, not the

accused– Punishment for actions, not thoughts– Set aside unreasonable or unfair laws

•VENN DIAGRAM LESSON!!!

•Use the power point to complete the Venn Diagram on the Unit Guide