Early Influences of Rome

It’s a Mystery! Historians have tried over the years to discover the truth about the founding of Rome No one really knows who Rome’s first king was. We do know that the first Romans were Latins The Latins were one of several groups who invaded Italy In 700 B.C.E. a Latin tribe built a village in central Italy that later became Rome

The First Village in Rome The first village is believed to have been built on a hill in central Italy called Paletine Paletine overlooks the Tiber River, about 12 miles inland from the sea Overtime this village expanded and covered seven hills

Roman Influences Roman culture was greatly influenced by two of Rome’s neighbors, Etruscans and the Greeks The Romans borrowed many ideas and skills from these two groups

Who were the Etruscans? The Etruscans had come from the north from a place called Etruria and settled throughout Italy. No one knows exactly how/where these people started their civilization but they built city-states and conquered others By 600 B.C.E. they ruled much of northern and central Italy, including Rome

Etruscans On your map of Italy, draw an arrow from Etruria to Rome. Label it “first influence.”

Etruscan Influence The Romans learned many skills and techniques from the Etruscans One technique was engineering. More specifically they learned to make arches and cuniculus The Romans furthered advanced these techniques by building bridges, stadiums and aqueducts

Arches: Arches rested on two pillars. The pillars supported a half-circle of wedge-shaped Cuniculus: A long underground trench Vertical shafts connected it to the ground above They used this method to irrigate water to crops They also used this method to drain swamps and carry water to their cities

Etruscan Sporting Events Romans adopted two bloody Etruscan sporting event: Slave Fighting Chariot Races Video

Slave Fighting The Etruscan tradition was to hold slave fights after a funeral Two slaves of the dead master fought to the death with swords and small shields After being congratulated the winner was executed NOT ONE SURVIVOR!!

Chariot Racing Etruscans also enjoyed watching chariot races The drivers, or charioteers, were strapped to their chariots If a chariot overturned, a driver could be dragged under the chariot’s or trampled by the horses Injuries often occurred and sometimes death

Etruscan Architecture Concrete was used to make buildings stronger and larger An example would be the Colosseum, where gladiators fought Another famous stadium, called Circus Maximus, was the home to multiple chariot races. This stadium could hold more than 200,000 spectators. Video

Architecture Continued.. Coliseum The Pantheon The Circus Maximus

The Greeks The Greeks also had an influence on early Roman culture The Romans learned about Greek culture when they settled in southern parts of Italy and on the island of Sicily They often traded with the Greeks in Rome and abroad

Greek Writing The Romans borrowed the Greek alphabet First, the Etruscans borrowed the Greek alphabet and modified it, then the Romans took the Etruscan alphabet and changed it even more Like the Greeks, Romans wrote in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS The Greeks carved important documents into bronze or stone plaques and posted them for all to see. The Romans took this idea and started to record documents in writing.

Mythology Again? Roman Greek Jupiter (greatest god) Zeus Venus (god of love) Aphrodite Mars (god of war) Aries The Romans were more concerned about carrying out rituals to please the gods, not telling myths about them