Chapter 6: The Romans “From city-state to Empire”

Romulus and Remus Myth It was said that Rome had been founded in 753 BC by Romulus, a son of Mars, god of war. When he was a baby, he and his twin brother Remus were sent down the Tiber river in a cradle by their jealous uncle. They washed a shore and were nursed by a she – wolf. A shepherd found them and raised them as his own. They founded a city and gave it laws and religion. The brothers quarreled and Remus was killed in a fit of rage. He encouraged people to settle on the nearby fertile plains and expanded the city to include seven nearby hills. This is why the city was named “Rome” and called the “city on seven hills.”

I. Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity A. The Roman World Takes Shape 1. Roman Beginnings (explain myth) a. Latins settled along Tiber R. as farmers b. Latins (Romans) shared the peninsula with Greeks and Etruscans originally from Asia Minor..c. Etruscans ruled N. Italy including Rome. 2. Early Republic Government (see chart) a. Etruscan King was overthrown 509 BC. b. Representative Democracy formed c. Patricians dominated public offices.

Roman Republic’s Government Two Consuls Senators – Patrician class who voted on consuls, laws/policies and appointed other government positions. Tribunes – Plebeian class representative who spoke for common interest and who later voted on consuls laws and policies.

Twelve Tables of Roman Law 12 Tables 451 BC Innocent until proven guilty Right to fair trial Right to an attorney All people are equal under the law

3. Expansion in Italy and Abroad a. Roman Legions were “Masters of War” b. Outposts were created to maintain control c. Conquered people treated generously d. Punic Wars victory gave Romans half of the land around the Mediterranean Sea. B. From Republic to Empire 1. Effects of Expansion a. Latifundia created economic problems b. Gracchus brothers attempt reform c. A century of civil war an unrest.

2. Rise of Julius Caesar a. Provincial governor of Gaul (France) b. Caesar takes power and makes reforms c. “Ides of March” and chaos that ensues. 3. First Emperor and Imperial Rome a. Augustus takes power and makes reforms b. Some good and some bad emperors: Caligula, Nero, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. c. “Mare Nostrum” Means our sea.

C. Empire at its peak and the “Pax Romana” 1. “Bread and Circuses” a. Gladiatorial bouts in the Coliseum b. Chariot racing in the Circus Maximus. 2. Stability, Trade, and Prosperity in the World 3. Roman Achievement a. Law – 12 tables b. Architecture and Engineering c. Art and sculpture (Ex. Mosaics) d. Roman roads (Ex. Appian Way)

D. Rise of Christianity 1. Basic Beliefs a. 10 commandments and holy days b. Salvation for believers and aid to the disadvantaged. 2. Persecution and Spread of Christianity a. Jesus troubled high Jewish leaders and Roman Authority. b. Apostles acted as missionaries c. Persecution eventually ends d. 313AD Edict of Milan + official religion

E. Decline of Roman Power (476 A.D. West Collapses) 1. Many Germanic Tribes invade for centuries a. Huns, Goths, Vandals, Franks, etc. 2. Bad Rulers a. 26 emperors in 50 year period. 3. Bad Economic Conditions Continued 4. Social Problems a. Bad attitudes dev. from Gov’t corruption. b. Christianity taught non-violence 5. Attempts at reform (Diocletian and Constantine)

II.Byzantine Empire (formerly Eastern Roman) A. Continues to preserve Greco-Roman Culture B. Great schism leads to Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Branches of Christianity. C. Reigns for about 1,000 years after the Roman Collapse.