Overview of the Roman Empire

Parallel Events (Greece vs. Rome) Ancient Greek Events 490-479 BCE: Persian Wars 460 BCE: Age of Pericles in Athens 431 BCE: Peloponnesian Wars 331 BCE: Alexander the Great conquers Persian Empire: Hellenistic Age 133 BCE: end of Greek dominance in Med. world Ancient Rome Events 509 BCE: Rome sets up a Republic 450 BCE: 12 Tables of Law 270 BCE: Rome controls most of Italian peninsula 264-146 BCE: Punic Wars vs. Carthage 133 BCE: Roman power extends from Spain to Egypt

The Geography of Rome

Italy in 750 BCE

The Origins of Rome Rome’s Geography 1. Site of Rome was chosen for its fertile soil and strategic location – (close to Mediterranean Sea) 2. Located on Italian peninsula – surrounded by water on three sides… where else are there peninsulas? 3. Built on seven hills on the Tiber River

Early Roman Peoples Latins: ancestors of the Romans Herders and farmers: settled along the Tiber River along the 7 hills Etruscans: ruled central and northern Italy Came from Asia Minor(Eastern Mediterranean) Called themselves Tyrrhenians in honor of their king. Romans borrowed Etruscan alphabet, arch and worshipped similar gods and goddesses Greeks: settled in southern Italy/Sicily

Influence of the Etruscans Writing Religion The Arch

The Mythical Founding of Rome: Romulus & Remus – twins, sons of Mars (god of war), raised by she-wolf, Romulus eventually killed Remus to be king!

The Roman Republic: 509 BCE - 27 BCE

Republican Government **Republic – government in which people vote for their leaders 2 Consuls (Rulers of Rome) –1 year term, one to lead army and one to direct government Senate (Representative body for patricians- wealthy aristocrats, landowners), make foreign and domestic policy Tribal Assembly (Representative body for plebeians – lower class Romans – artisans, merchants, and farmers), make laws

The Twelve Tables, 450 BCE Providing political and social rights for the plebeians. Basis of later Roman law Hung in the Forum Law is one of the most important Roman contributions

The Roman Forum

Roman Roads: The Appian Way – first major roadway

Rome’s Early Road System

Roman Aqueducts – idea borrowed from the Greeks, brought water to the cities

The Roman Colosseum – major spectacles occurred here, including gladiator fights!

The Colosseum Interior

Circus Maximus – like a racetrack of today, chariot races took place here!

The Legacy of Rome Republic Government Roman Law Latin Language Roman Catholic Church City Planning Romanesque Architectural Style Roman Engineering Aqueducts Sewage systems Dams Cement Arch