The Rise of the Roman Empire World History Chapter 5.1 and 5.2

The Impact of Geography The city of Rome location was very favorable to early settlers: For Trade: Near the Tiber River, it had access to the sea Situated on a natural Tiber River crossing point for north-south traffic The Italian peninsula was also an important crossroads between the western and eastern Mediterranean Sea. For Defense: Far enough inland where it was safe from pirates Was built on seven hills, so it was easily defended

Important People of Italy Latins- people from the region of Latium Spoke Latin, and Indo-European Language Other Settlers of Italy: Greeks- came to Italy during the age of Greek Colonization; passed on their alphabet, art, architecture, and literature. Etruscans- most influential; from Etruria north of Rome; turned Rome from a village to a city; passed on their dress and the organization of their army.

The Roman Republic After about 200 years of Etruscan Rule, the Romans overthrew the last Etruscan King and established a republic. Republic- a form of government in which the leader is not a monarch and certain citizens have the right to vote The Early Roman Republic was surrounded by enemies and for the next 200 years the Romans were constantly at war. After conquering all of Italy, the Romans devised the Roman Confederation to rule Italy. Allowed some people to become citizens The remaining communities were made allies, making it clear that loyal allies could also become citizens Made the conquered peoples feel like they had a real stake in Rome’s success

Why was Rome Successful? Romans were good diplomats Extended citizenship and allowed conquered states to run their own affairs Romans excelled in Military Matters Large armies Brilliant strategists Built roads to fortified towns in order to move troops quickly to crush rebellions Romans were practical when it came to law and politics Created political institutions in response to problems, as the problems arose

Patricians vs. Plebians Great landowners; Rome’s Ruling class; could be elected to office Plebians Less wealthy landholders, craftspeople, merchants, and small farmers; larger group; could vote but could not run for office Consuls Two chief executive officers who were chosen every year; ran the government and led the Roman Army into battle Praetors Chief executive officers who were in charge of civil law- law as it applied to Roman Citizens; more praetors were added as territory expanded

The Punic Wars Wars between the Roman Republic and the powerful city-state of Carthage Carthage North African civilization founded by the Phoenicians; large trading empire in the Mediterranean Their presence in Sicily, an island close to the Italian coast, made the Romans fearful. The First Punic War (264 B.C.) Rome sends army to Sicily, which Carthage saw as an act of war Rome, realizing they could not win the war without an navy, builds a large navy Roman Navy defeats Carthaginian navy off coast of Sicily, ending the war Carthage gives up all rights to Sicily and paid a fine; Sicily becomes Rome’s first province

The Punic Wars The Second Punic War (216 B.C.) Hannibal, the leader of Carthage, vowed revenge against Rome for the First Punic War; decides to bring the war to the Romans Hannibal leads army of 46,000 men, horses, and 37 war elephants through Spain and planned to enter the Roman Republic from the North Hannibal’s army, especially the elephants, took a massive toll attempting to cross the Alps The Romans meet Hannibal at Cannae, but lost an army of 40,000 men. Rome raises two new armies sends one to battle Hannibal in Italy, and the other to Carthage, forcing Hannibal to return to Carthage While in Carthage, Romans defeat Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in 202 B.C. ending the Second Punic War Rome gains Spain, and becomes the dominant power in the western Mediterranean.

The Punic Wars The Third Punic War (146 B.C.) Due to public pressure to eliminate Carthage, Rome decides to invade Carthage Carthage was destroyed, and their inhabitants (50,000 men, women, and children) were sold into slavery Salted the fields of Carthage so it could never rise again The territory of Carthage became a Roman Province called Africa

From Republic to Empire Growing Inequality and Unrest Senate was the real governing body of Rome and it was full of wealthy landed elites. The aristocrats, however, only represented a small fraction of the population of Rome at the time. Small farmers found it impossible to compete with the landed elite and lost their land. The Brother Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus tried to enact Land Reform laws that would help the poor. The aristocratic Senators assassinated them.

The Collapse of a Republic Lucius Cornelius Sulla Sulla defeated other generals to take control of Rome Restored power to the hands of the Senate and eliminated the popular assemblies His example of using an army to seize power would set a precedent for future generals The First Triumvirate (60 B.C.) Julius Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey joined forces to form the First Triumvirate Triumvirate- is a government by three people with equal power Each leader was given military rule over certain areas When Crassus dies in 53 B.C., the Senate agreed that the rule of Pompey alone would be to their benefit and asked Caesar to lay down his command

Caesar Crosses the Rubicon… Caesar refused to lay down his command Marched his army into Italy It was illegal for Roman Generals to March their armies past the Rubicon River This was the “point of no return” Julius Caesar Caesar defeats Pompey in a Civil War Officially made dictator of Rome Dictator- an absolute ruler Caesar enacts reforms (changes) Gives land to the poor Increases the Senate to 900 members, and then fills it full of his supporters Weakens the Senate

The Age of Augustus Octavian was now ruler of Rome Won power after Caesar’s death Proclaimed the “restoration of the Republic” Gave power back to the Senate Senate awarded him the name Augustus- “the revered one” The senate also gave him the title of Imperator- or commander in chief, this is where we get our word emperor from. Imperators after Augustus They expanded the power of the imperator by taking away power from the Senate The more powerful they became, the more corrupt the were.

The Height of the Roman Empire

The Decline and Fall of the Empire After a series of military rulers, the Roman Empire began to experience some serious problems Political- Civil wars during power vacuums were becoming way to common as the Roman Throne was occupied by whoever had military strength to seize it. Economic- Invasions, civil wars, and plagues (an epidemic disease) came close to causing an economic collapse. noticeable decline in trade and small industry Labor shortage due to plague Farm production declined as fields were ravaged by invaders or, even more common, by the defending Roman soldiers Inflation- a rapid increase in prices

The Division of the Empire With all the problems facing the Roman Empire, the rulers Diocletian and Constantine decided the empire was too big to be ruled. The decided to split the Empire into two: The Western Roman Empire with the capital as Rome The Eastern Roman Empire with the capital in Constantinople Later known as the Byzantium Empire

“Barbarian Invaders” “Barbarians” is often a term used by “civilized people” in order to describe people who are outsiders and different than them. The Huns Came from Asia, moved into eastern Europe, putting pressure of the Germanic Visigoths The Visigoths Moved south and west, crossed the Danube River into Roman Territory, initially as allies of the Roman Empire However, the soon began to revolt and later sacked Rome The Vandals Poured into southern Spain and then North Africa attacking Rome from the south. They too sacked Rome Our word “vandal” and “vandalism” is taken from this group

Recap of the Downfall In 476 A.D., the western emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the Germanic head of the Army. This is usually seen as the official fall of Rome. Factors: Political Many upheavals and military domination of politics Economic Inflation Labor shortage Trading and Farming declined Plague Disease killed 1/10th of the population Barbarian Invaders