Italy Greece

Classical Rome 753 B.C.E. to 476 C.E.

From Kingdom… According to legend, Romulus and Remus founded Rome in 753 B.C.E. Romulus 1st of 7 Roman kings

…to Republic… Senate (advisory board) overthrew monarchy in 509 B.C.E. As Rome expanded, generals attracted more loyalty than the Senate

…to Empire Civil wars lasted from 133-44 B.C.E. Empire established in 27 B.C.E. by Augustus

Roman Society Divided among patricians and plebeians Paterfamilias wielded absolute control in households Upper class women exerted more influence than in Greece Extensive use of slave labor

Pax Romana “Roman Peace” lasted from 27 B.C.E. to 180 C.E. Empire consolidated Roman culture and civilization became firmly established

Collapse and Continuity External threats, lack of unity led to decline of western empire Capital moved to Byzantium (Constantinople) in 330 Western empire collapsed in 476

Christianity Built on the tradition of Hebrew monotheism Followers claimed Jesus was the “messiah” Apostles spread the religion after Christ’s death Constantine’s conversion (300’s C.E.) meant toleration

The Spread of Christianity

The Eastern (Byzantine) Empire survived for another 1000 years.