Geography and the Rise and Fall of Rome

The Early Beginnings Settled by the Greeks around 753 B.C. –Favorable climate, good farmland, strategic location City was built on seven hills –Farms at bottom of hills, dwellings on top of hills Close to Mediterranean Sea and its trade routes –Tiber River aided in trade and provided protection

The Italian Peninsula Being surrounded on three sides by water helped Rome’s development Easy access to other lands surrounding the Mediterranean –Conquered new territories and developed new trade routes Alps and Apennines protected, but did not isolate Large plains made farming easier than in Greece

Early Roman Life Farmers grew wheat, barley, fruits, vegetables, etc. and raised oxen, pigs, goats, sheep, and chickens. Landowning farmers served in the army. Some farmers got very rich and built huge estates. –Increased gap between rich and poor. Hard work, loyalty, and discipline became strong Roman qualities –Helped the Roman army conquer Italy

Small Steps in Conquest First Punic War (241 B.C.) –Rome conquers most of Sicily Annexation of Corsica Annexation of Sardinia Second Punic War (218 B.C.)

Roman Empire circa 218 B.C.

Results of the Second Punic War Complete control of Sicily Conquest of Carthaginian Spain Creation of Hispania Citerior and Hispania Ulterior Establishes province in Africa

Roman Empire circa 100 B.C

Julius Caesar Elected to consul in 59 B.C. Conquers all of Gaul in 57 B.C. Crushes revolt of Vercingetorix in Gaul in 51 B.C. Crosses the Rubicon, defeats Pompey, becomes sole dictator of Rome –Refers to himself as ‘imperator’ Invades Egypt in 49 B.C., declares Cleopatra queen Killed in 44 B.C.

Death of Julius Caesar 44 B.C.

Reign of Augustus Defeats Mark Anthony, becomes first Roman emperor Cleopatra commits suicide, Egypt is annexed to Rome Boundary between Roman and Persian Empires is settled at the Euphrates Expands borders to the Danube in 13 B.C. Expands borders to the Balkans in 6 A.D.

Death of Augustus 14 A.D.

Period of Many Emperors Tiberius succeeds Augustus 14 A.D. to 37 A.D. Caligula 37 A.D. to 41 A.D. –Assassinated Claudius 41 A.D. to 54 A.D. –Invades Britain, founds Londinium Nero 54 A.D. to 68 A.D. –Conquers Armenia –Sets fire to Rome, blames Christians –Commits Suicide

More Emperors Vespasianus 68 A.D. to 79 A.D. Tito 79 A.D. to 98 A.D. –Destroys Jerusalem; Jews flee to Armenia, Iraq, Iran, Arabia, Egypt, Italy, Spain, and Greece –Romans invade Caledonia (Scotland) Trajan 98 A.D. to 117 A.D. –Captures Petra (Jordan) and turns it into an Arabian province –Dies on a journey to the Persian Gulf

Roman Empire circa 117 A.D. The Empire at its Largest

Hadrian Builds a wall (Hadrian’s Wall) along the Northern frontier to keep barbarians out. Crushes Jewish resistance, forbids Jews from entering Jerusalem and changes the name to Aelia Capitolina Antoninus Pius succeeds Hadrian and repels the anti- Jewish laws

Slow Decline Divisions between East and West develop by 275 B.C. Western provinces break away to form Gallic Empire Palmyrene Empire gains control of Eastern provinces

Roman Empire circa 275 A.D.

East and West The Strong East –Constantinople traded with Africa, Asia, and Europe –Eastern cities were larger and well fortified The Black Sea provided a natural barrier from attack. The Weak West –Western cities were smaller, poorer, and far from trade routes –Northern invaders were a constant threat No money to pay for defense

Roman Empire circa 337 A.D. Constantine’s Divisions

The Fall of Rome 476 A.D.