The Etruscans 900-500BCE Believed to have come from Asia Minor. Some suggest Mycenaean origins some time prior to 1000BCE Etruscan culture influences Roman culture (art, writing, religion, architecture, public works planning)

Italy in 750 BCE

Etruscan Artifacts

Etruscan Vases

Reconstruction of an Etruscan Temple

Etruscan Tomb Wall and Tomb Fresco

The Gate of Volterra First known Archway in History Etruscan

The Geography of Rome

Roman History Roman history can be conveniently divided into three main periods 753-509BCE Founding and Roman Kingdom 509-31BCE Roman Republic 31BCE-AD476 Roman Empire

The Seven Hills of Rome

The Mythical Founding of Rome Virgil’s Aenid and Aeneas of Troy Romulus and Remus in 753BCE Rape of the Sabine Women Settlements along Tiber River river. Palatine Hill and the Seven Hills of Rome The Roman Kingdom lasts from 753-509BCE. Records lost, little known, based on traditional accounts. Ruled mostly by Etruscans kings

Early History of Rome Latins invaded the central Italian peninsula @1000BCE At the same time the Etruscans settled in and ruled northern Italy (influences in engineering, city planning, art and architecture) The Greeks controlled southern Italy and Sicily The Tiber River and seven hills of Rome acted as strategic location Etruscan kings were overthrown in 509BCE by Latins

Ancient Rome

Republican Rome 509-133BCE Rome gradually moves from monarchy to res publica Patricians (large landowners and lifetime members of Senate) and Plebeians Governmental system of checks and balances (in theory) Consuls Assembly of Centuries Senate Assembly of Tribes (Tribunes)

Republican Rome 509-133BCE The Struggle of the Orders Civil law code known as the Twelve Tables 450BCE (represented a form of limited government and Bill of Rights) Various concessions to Plebeians (intermarriage, one Consul a plebe, restrictions on landholding) Plebeians eventually receive power through tribunes (287BCE receive right to make laws) Roman genius for compromise and assimilation

The Roman Forum

Spread of Roman Power Rome Conquers Italy Romans defeat Etruscans Greek city-states in south By 265 B.C., Rome controls Italian peninsula Conquered peoples treated justly; this enables Rome to grow and spread influence (confederalization) Rome’s Commercial Network Rome establishes large trading network Access to Mediterranean Sea provides many trade routes Carthage, powerful city-state in North Africa, rivals Rome

Comparison with Greek City-States The Greeks conducted politics in terms of principles and theory. What is virtue? What is the best form of government? Shortly after they had perfected their direct democracy during the Age of Pericles (461-429 BCE)…Alexander the Great replaced comfortable the virtuous life of the polis, with the larger and more impersonal cosmopolis The Romans had an eye toward practicality and efficiency They mixed their government, bound the lives of their citizenry to a living constitution, and made compromises to insure the future life and growth of the Republic…

Imperialism and Punic Wars 264-146BCE Rome conquers Italian peninsula and unites Italy Roman control of Mediterranean threatens Carthage. Series of wars fought from 264-146BCE First Punic War 264-241BCE Rome defeats Carthage wins Sicily in first 23-year war Second Punic War 218-201BCE Hannibal avenges defeat in Second Punic War. Attacks Italy through Spain and France, raids peninsula but does not take Rome Third Punic War 149-146BCE Scipio defeats Hannibal in 202 BCE. Carthage destroyed, enslaved in last war 149–146 BCE

Imperialism and Punic Wars 264-146BCE

Roman Imperialism under the Republic By 44 B.C., the Romans controlled all of Spain, Gaul (France), Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, and most of North Africa (80% of the coastal lands of the Mediterranean) Cool Rome Map

End of Roman Republic 133-44BCE The Roman Revolution Corrupt generals and patricians amass wealth from conquest Captured slaves used by patrician landowners harm economy Small farmers can’t compete and sell Plebeian loss of land leads to migrations to cities, unemployment, social dislocation Reform leaders Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus (tribunes) are assassinated Military upheaval

Julius Caesar Generals return from conquests and become military dictators Era of military upheaval and civil wars Military leader Julius Caesar elected consul in 59 B.C. Caesar, Crassus, Pompey form First Triumvirate group of three rulers Military victories give Caesar increasing popularity and power Pompey fears Caesar’s growing power and challenges him Caesar defeats Pompey’s armies in Greece, Asia, Spain, Egypt Caesar establishes dictatorship in 46BCE Caesar is named dictator for life in 44 B.C.

Julius Caesar Caesar codifies laws regulates taxes, addresses unemployment (public works and exportation) Assassinated by Republicans 3/15/44BCE

Beginnings of the Roman Empire • Caesar’s supporters take control; become Second Triumvirate - Octavian, Mark Antony, Lepidus alliance ends in jealousy, violence In 31 B.C., Mark Antony and Cleopatra’s forces are defeated at Actium Octavian accepts title of Augustus, “exalted one,” and rules Rome