Ancient Rome & Early Christianity Chapter 6

Foundations of Rome Rome grew from a small town on the Tiber River in present day Italy to control the entire Mediterranean region Essential Question: How did Rome grow from a small town to the center of an empire spanning the entire Mediterranean region?

Foundations of Rome Legend traces Rome’s origins to the story of Romulus and Remus Romulus and Remus were twin brothers who founded Rome in 753 BCE The twins were to be drowned in the Tiber River as infants, but were rescued by a she-wolf. As the boys grew they were found and adopted by a shepherd. When the twins grew to adults they decided to build a city, but fought about what the city should be named. During the argument, Romulus killed Remus, and named it Rome after himself.

Foundations of Rome The legend of Romulus and Remus is a creation story that may have some historical basis An Indo-European tribe called the Latins built Rome from a small town to a busy and prosperous city Rome grew because of its location on the Tiber River which ran along trade routes and out to the sea. The Alps mountain range to the North also protected Rome, but did not isolate it

Foundations of Rome Rome was ruled by Latin kings until 616 BCE when a king from another tribe, called the Etruscans, came to power Originally influenced by the Greek culture, the Etruscans influenced Rome’s culture and government Built Rome’s first city walls and sewer system, and introduced the arch as a building technique Introduced an alphabet and number system Introduced gladiator games and chariot races Helped shape the system of government Influenced styles of painting and sculpture The Etruscan monarchy ruled Rome until 509 BCE when the Romans revolted

Knowledge Checkpoint How did the Alps north of Rome aid the growth of Roman civilization? What was unusual about the legendary founders of Rome, and what were their names? In what way do you think the rule of the Etruscans might have been good for Rome?

Foundations of Rome The Romans replaced the monarchy with a new system of government called a Republic In a republic, elected officials govern the state The Roman Republic was governed by patricians (puh-trish- ans) – Roman aristocracy who were kept in power through a patronage system – elected officials have loyalty by doing favors for their wealthy constituents Social classes and divisions form between the patricians and the plebeians (pli-BEE-uhns) – common people, who had few rights

Foundations of Rome When invaders threatened Rome the plebeians refused to fight until their rights were expanded The patricians agreed to the plebeian's demands and the an assembly called the Plebeian Council was formed to protect their rights The plebeians gained the right to vote and elect tribunes – elected officials who protected the rights of plebeians The laws protecting the plebeians were written on 12 large bronze tablets and posted in the Forum – center of Roman life, which is called the Law of the Twelve Tables – Rome’s first written code of laws

Foundations of Rome The patricians and plebeians worked together to create a constitution, which created three government branches: 1) Senate – 300 members who advised Magistrates, and controlled finances and foreign affairs 2) Assemblies and Tribunes – voted on laws and elected officials 3) Magistrates – enforced the laws Two Magistrates were elected to one year terms as Consuls – who serve as chief executives and commanders of the army Additional high ranking officials: Censors – recorded city population and personal property data, and could select new senators; Praetors – acted as judges and as consuls, if the consul was away Rome’s new government worked well because a system of checks and balances was implemented that allowed each branch of government to limit what the others could do

Foundations of Rome MagistratesSenate Assemblies & Tribunes -Ran Rome’s daily affairs -Led the army -Issued edicts -Acted as judges & priests -Controlled finances -Controlled foreign affairs -Reviewed proposed laws -Advised Magistrates -Elected Magistrates -Approved Laws -Tried court cases -Declared war Tribunes could veto Magistrates’ actions Assemblies could reject laws approved by the Senate Senate could refuse to give Magistrates money Magistrates presided over the Senate

Comparison of Roman and United states Governments Rome 3 branches of government Senate, Magistrates, Assemblies and Tribunes *See chart of Roman branches and checks and balances* United States 3 branches of government Legislative, Executive, Judicial Legislative (Senate and House of Representatives) Make laws, control finances, declare war, establish military, approves executive actions and appointments, remove officials from office, override veto, reject treaties Executive (President) Enforces laws, appoint officials and judges, commander of military, foreign affairs, domestic affairs, veto proposed laws, make treaties Judicial (Courts) Interprets the laws, determines constitutionality of laws,

Foundations of Rome Life in Rome – The Forum was the center of city The Forum served as a political center and a place where Romans could celebrate, shop, and mingle Romans considered farming and land ownership the noblest of occupations, which is grounded in their agrarian history One of Rome’s greatest generals, Cincinnatus, was a farmer. One of Rome’s early stories told of how Cincinnatus was made dictator during a time of crisis when Rome was under siege and he defeated the invaders

Knowledge Check Point How did rich patrician families maintain their power? How did plebeian life change after 494 BCE? How might having a flexible constitution be valuable? Name two ways Roman government was much like the US gov’t. What is one way the forum might have influenced Roman government?

Foundations of Rome As Rome grew it began to conquer its surrounding areas, largely because it had a well trained and powerful army All men between were required to serve in the army during times of war The army was organized into legions of 100 men commanded by a centurion Rome had conquered Italy by 265 BCE, and continued to expand into Europe, Africa, and Asia

Foundations of Rome On page 168- read under the Section “The Punic Wars” The Punic Wars – Rome fought a series of 3 wars over a course of 80 years against the Carthaginians Carthage had a powerful navy. Which contributed to much of their success against Rome during the first Punic War During the second Punic War, Hannibal, one of Carthage’s greatest generals led an army from Africa into Spain, crossed the Alps into Italy Scipio (sip-ee-oh), a Roman nobleman, led an army into Carthage, which would cause Hannibal to withdraw from Italy. Rome conquered Carthage, destroyed the city, and enslaved the population

Foundations of Rome Following the Punic Wars Rome conquered Hellenistic kingdoms Rome used its military to conquer Macedonia, Persia, and Egypt Rome annexed Greece – The Greek culture would influence Roman art, religion, and architecture After Rome conquered a land, it would allow the people to continue practicing their own traditions as long as it did not challenge Roman authority

Foundations of Rome Citizenship was one of the most sought after rights in Roman society By becoming a citizen one could vote and participate in government. They could also enter into legal contracts and get married Only citizens were considered truly Roman Citizenship was more difficult to obtain in ancient Rome than modern day United States

Knowledge Check Point What led to the Roman’s defeat of Carthage? How might Romans have reacted when they saw Hannibal descending the Alps with forces of was Elephants? What tactic did Scipio employ to wear down his opponent? What happened to the city of Carthage in 149BC? Name two effects of the Second Punic War on Rome. How did early Romans think of participation in gov’t?

Assignment Work on 6.1 Vocab and Questions