Ancient Rome

The Origins of Rome Italy is an important location in the middle of the Mediterranean region. Long narrow peninsula; looks like a high heeled boot. The “heel” points towards Greece and the “toe” point to the island of Sicily. Across the top are the Alps (big mountains) that separate Italy from Europe. The Apennines mountain range runs all the way down the boot from north to south. Landscape is similar to Greece but the Apennines are not as rugged as Greece’s mountains, so people could travel much easier and were not split into small isolated communities. Little is known about the first people of Italy. ALPS APENNINES

Geography played a major part in the location of Rome. About 15 miles up the Tiber River from the Mediterranean Sea The Tiber River gave the Romans a source of water and a way to the rest of the Mediterranean world. But also, Rome was far enough from the sea to escape raid by pirates. Rome was built on 7 hills on purpose. Hills were very steep, making it easy to defend the city against attack. Tiber River was very easy to cross at Rome which made in a stopping place for people traveling north and south and for ships sailing in the Mediterranean Sea.

Legends of Rome’s Beginnings There are two legends about how Rome began… Romulus and Remus (Legend 1) Twin brothers named Romulus and Remus founded the city. As babies they were abandoned near the Tiber River and rescued by a wolf and raised by a shepherd. Decided to build a city in 753 BCE but they fought. Remus made fun of the wall Romulus built and Romulus (in a rage) killed Remus. Romulus went on to become the first king, naming Rome after himself. Aeneid (Legend 2) The Roman poet Virgil wrote a famous epic poem called Aeneid. Story of Trojan hero Aeneas and his group of followers that sail the Mediterranean after the Greeks capture Troy. After many adventures, the Trojans landed at the beginning of the Tiber River. After battle and marrying the local king’s daughter, Aeneas united the Trojans and some of the Latins (local people). He then became the “father” of Rome.

Early Influences Historians are not sure how Rome began. They think Latins lived in the area as early as 1000 BCE, building huts on the hills, growing crops, and tending to animals. Sometime between BCE they banded together for protection and this community became known as Rome. Many Greeks came to southern Italy between BCE when Greece was building its colonies. From the Greeks, Romans: Learned how to grow olives and grapes Began using Greek alphabet Eventually used the same style for their buildings, sculptures, and literature as the Greeks.

Early Influences Continued… Rome was most influenced by a group from the North of Rome called the Etruscans who moved into and took control of the area around 650 BCE. Etruscans were skilled metalworkers who became rich from mining and trade. They forced slaves to do the hardest work and made their own lives comfortable (feasting, dancing, playing music, sports). They also had a lot of pride in their military. They changed Rome from a village of straw-roofed huts into a city of wood and brick, made streets, temples, and public buildings, and taught them a new style for dressing---short cloaks draped over one shoulder (the toga) They ruled for more than 100 years and mad Rome wealthy and powerful.

Birth of A Republic One ruling family of the Etruscans became very cruel. In 509 BCE the Romans rebelled and overthrew the rulers. They set up a republic-form of government with no king or queen, but a leader put in office by citizens with a right to vote. In a republic, the citizens have the right to vote. The rise of the Roman Republic marked the beginning of a new chapter in Rome’s history. Rome was still a small city at this time but over the next 200 years they fought war after war against their neighbors. They defeated the other Latins living nearby, the Etruscans, and the Greeks in southern Italy. This made them the masters of almost all of Italy.

Why Was Rome So Strong? Rome was able to conquer Italy because the Romans were excellent soldiers. Every male citizen who owned land had to serve in the army. Discipline was harsh and people to tried to run from being in the army were put to death. This helped make them into fighters who did not give up easily and in addition, they were great problem solvers. They organized their soldiers in legions. Each legion had about 6,000 men and was divided into groups of soldiers. These small groups could quickly cut through enemy lines. They had a short sword and a spear. The Romans were also smart planners and build permanent military settlements in the areas the conquered and roads between these towns allowing for swift travel. Roman Legionary

Roman Law One of Rome’s chief gifts to the world was its system of law. The legal system of the United States owes much to the Roman system. They created a collection of laws that applied to people everywhere. A person was seen as innocent until proven guilty. People accused of a crime could defend themselves before a judge. A judge had to look at evidence carefully before making a decision.

Trouble in the Republic Rome started expanding its territories and destroyed its rivals in three different wars. Rome’s armies were victorious wherever they went but there were problems at home. Dishonest officials stole money and the gap between the rich and the poor kept growing. Thousands of farmers faced ruin and the cities were becoming overcrowded and dangerous and anger spread. The military stepped in and started messing with politics, which only made things worse. Different leaders battled for power and created a civil war.

Julius Caesar Eventually one leader rose to power, Julius Caesar. He granted citizenship to people living in Rome’s territories, started new colonies to provide land for the landless, and created work for Rome’s jobless people. He ordered landowners using slave labor to hire more free men as workers. This made him very popular with Rome’s poor. He also created a new calendar with 12 months, 365 days, and a leap year, called the Julian calendar, that was used throughout Europe until 1582 CE. That year the calendar was changed slightly to become the Gregorian calendar that is based on the birth of Christ, and is used by most countries in the world today, including the United States.

Julius Caesar Continued… Caesar had many supporters and believers, but he also had enemies. His enemies thought he wanted to be king, and they came up with a plot to kill him. Caesar ignored a famous warning to “beware the Ides of March” which means March 15. On that date in 44 BCE, Caesar’s enemies surrounded him and stabbed him to death. His death plunged Rome into another civil war with two sides battling for power. Finally a man named Augustus took charge and named himself emperor.

After many bad and good emperors, Rome started to do really well. Rome became the center of trade and produced grapes, olives, wine, and olive oil. Pottery makers, weavers, and jewelers produced a lot of goods and the cities became centers for making glass, bronze, and brass. On the seas, the Roman navy helped to get rid of the pirates in the Mediterranean so goods could be shipped more safely. They made road systems totaling 50,000 miles in length. Their money was accepted throughout the Mediterranean region. They created a standard system for weighing and measuring goods.