Chapter 8: The Rise of Ancient Rome

Rome is built around legend 770BCE: Romulus and Remus – two brothers born to a princess and Mars: god of war (Ares) Both were supposed to be killed They were rescued by a she-wolf The boys killed the king who ordered their death They formed a city along the banks of the Tiber River (Seven Hills Region) Named “Rome” for Romulus

Section 1: Roman Geography The first settlers chose the spot for living/defensive reasons Soil was fertile: good for farming Rome is located on the Tiber River: begins in central Italian mountains and empties into the Tyrrhenian Sea This location gave settlers the advantages they needed to grow in power Rome is located in west-central Italy

The Etruscans First settled near Rome around 900 BCE We know little about them They took power near Rome in about 600 BCE Etruscan kings were known as Tarquins Famous tarquin: Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin the Great/Proud) Ruled right before the Roman Republic formed Many did not like the idea of absolute power 509BCE: Roman Republic is established

Early Roman Republic themes Romans drove the Etruscans from power The Republic is ruled by the Senate, not just one person Romans used the Greek gods/goddesses and changed the names (ex. Zeus = Jupiter) Romans used the Greek alphabet Romans did use an Etruscan form of dress: Toga

Romans Form a Republic Rome expanded it’s territories slowly over a few centuries 264 BCE: Rome gains control of the whole Italian peninsula They form a Republic: leaders rule and vote in the name of the people

Map of the Roman Republic

The Roman Senate

Roman Senate This was the most powerful part of Roman government This is similar to the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government Who made up the Senate? At first, it was only made up of 300 higher class people called Patricians The social classes of Rome Patricians: members of wealthy families Plebeians: ordinary, lower class citizens (could not hold office or be senators)

Roman Consuls Roman Consuls: top officials in the Roman Government Rome had two serving at the same time Like the U.S. President in terms of power Before 367 BCE, only patricians could be consul – after, plebeians were able to What did the Consul do? Enforced laws Advised by the Senate Served ONE year Could veto a law: veto: stop a law from being passed (President does this today)

Other Important Officials If the consuls disagreed, a dictator would come to power Dictator: has absolute (all) power like a king but only rules 6 months Praetors: civil law judges -- helped to develop the Roman courts of law

The Roman Public Patrician Plebeian

Patricians vs. Plebeians Rome’s expansion caused problem among the social classes Patricians thought of themselves as leaders They wanted control in government Many grew wealthy from conquest Often gained land and left Plebeians without jobs since Patricians had slaves Plebeians wanted respect They did not trust Patricians – believed the Senate didn’t care about them Patricians did not give them respect Law of the Twelve Tables: created to give Plebeians rights – they were hung all over cities Despite the laws, Patricians were never taken from power over Plebeians

Master of the Mediterranean Roman military was always expanding Roman Army: was the strongest in the world at the time Phalanx: group of 8,000 foot soldiers Legion: group of about 3,600 men Foot soldiers became known as legionnaires Maniple: 60-120 men If a soldier fell asleep while on duty, they could be beaten or stoned to death

Punic Wars Punic Wars: series a wars between Rome and Carthage that lasted from 364 to 146 BCE Fought near Italy and in North Africa (near modern Tunisia) The term “Punic” mean Phoenician in Latin – the Phoenician people were Rome’s enemy Wars were fought over TRADE

The Three Punic Wars First Punic War: not really a major war Second Punic War: (219-202 BCE) Fought closest to Rome Hannibal: Leader of the Carthaginians crosses the Alps and attacks Italy Used elephants to travel on – very intimidating Roman’s had a great plan and when the Carthaginians approached, the Romans left Third Punic War: This was the most destructive Punic War Romans attacked and crushed the city of Carthage The Romans showed no mercy to the city or the people

Punic War Importance The wars gave Rome control of the western Mediterranean Sea Rome defeated the world’s largest monarchy (Carthage) Spain and North Africa became part of the Roman Republic as a result of the wars This would lead to even more territorial gain in later wars (Gallic Wars)

Conquest Weakens Rome Rome loses money toward it’s society because war is expensive Because there was less money, the gap between the rich and poor grew more Wealthy Romans bought up most of the conquered land Romans also imported new, exotic types of crops into the land To keep the poorer public from revolting, the upper level politicians provided “Bread and Circuses” – that is, for and entertainment This allowed the Patrician class to run Rome while the uneducated Plebeians were kept from wealth

Roman’s Attempt Reform Many Romans felt that the Republic was about to collapse – something needed to be done Two Reformers who wanted change: Gaius Gracchus Tiberius Gracchus Both wanted change in the Republic Both were sentenced to death by the Senate Sulla: won control of the Senate and became dictator He had no limit on how long he could be dictator He was succeeded was Julius Caesar as dictator

Julius Caesar Comes to Power Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44BCE) Born to a noble family but associated with common people Married a lower class woman named Cornelia Sulla wanted him to divorce her but he did not Caesar left Rome and joined the Roman Army in the Middle East He returned in 78BCE when Sulla died

The First Triumvirate Caesar helped to establish the First Triumvirate in 60 BCE Caesar joins forces with two others making the “Tri” (three) umvirate Pompey: military general/hero Crassus: richest man in Rome at the time

Problems with the Triumvirate 55 BCE: Caesar conquers Gaul (France) and Britannia (England) Crassus dies in battle and Pompey will go back and rule Rome as an unfair dictator 49 BCE: Caesar crosses the Rubicon River and heads back into Italy Says: “Veni, vidi, vici” or “I came, I saw, I conquered” He heads into Rome, defeats his enemies, and takes control

Julius Caesar’s Death 44BCE: Julius Caesar has a great deal of power Other politicians plot his death because they fear his growing power “Beware the Ides of March” is a famous statement warning Caesar This was to warn him against going to the Senate meeting in the middle (Ides) of March March 15, 44 BCE: Caesar is stabbed to death after the Senate meeting Supposedly, his last words were: “Et tu Brute” meaning “And you too, Brutus” referring to his friend Brutus who stabbed him

The End of the Roman Republic After Caesar’s death, civil wars broke out in Rome Octavian (Caesar’s grandnephew and adopted son) went after those who killed Julius Caesar Octavian was helped by Mark Antony After they killed those who killed Caesar, Mark Antony left for Egypt Here he plots war against Rome with the help of the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra The Roman Senate declares war on them 31BCE: Battle of Actium: Octavian defeats Antony and Cleopatra 27BCE: Octavian is elected Emperor of Rome His name is changed to Augustus meaning “highly respected”