Ancient Rome : Early Years Humanities 7th grade By Mrs. Revilla

Ancient Rome Geography Tiber river Adriatic Sea Tyrrhenian sea Geography: “First settlers on hills Because that area easy to defend. Dolomite Mountains part of Italian Alps. Fertile soil, thanks to Tiber River. Center of the Italian Peninsula, into the Mediterranean sea . What was the importance of the Mediterranean sea? How did it help to build the Roman empire?

Early Years : The Etruscans *Origins of prehistory of Romans not clear but by 1500 BCE Indo-Europeans moved into Italian peninsula; by 1000 BCE inhabited by Greek and Etruscans *According to legend, Rome founded by twins Romulus and Remus; father was the god Mars. *In 753 BCE Romulus kills Remus and founds Rome on seven hills overlooking Tiber River *Rome evolved from group of Latin villages; conquered by Etruscans in 6th century; Tarquin dynasty established *Tarquins have armed assembly which elects king by acclamation but plays no political role *Early Romans were pastoral, spoke Latin, adopted toga and short cloak of Etruscans, as well as Etruscan alphabet (Greek) *Etruscans constructed first roads for main street through Rome; drained area which would become the Roman Forum

Roman Republic *Romans were tired of Kings *They opted for a Republican form of Government *In a Republic citizens choose their leaders *The Roman Republic was established 500 BC & lasted 500 years. *