Lesson 8.1 “Rome’s Beginnings”

The Origins of Rome

What do you call a narrow body of land with water on three sides? A peninsula

What is the name of the mountain range in the northern part of Italy? The Alps

What is the name of the mountain range that runs through Italy? Apennines

How is the geography of Italy different from the the geography of Greece? 1. The mountains are easier to cross 2. Italy has better farmland

How did the geography of Italy promote unity more than the geography of Greece? Because the mountains were easier to cross people were able to interact easy so they weren’t as isolated from each other.

What first attracted people to settle in the area that’s now Italy? The area had a mild climate and rich soil.

How did the geography of Rome make it a good place to settle? 1. Rome was near the Tiber River, which was a good source of water. 2. The river was far enough away from Rome so people weren’t afraid of being attacked by pirates. 3. Rome was built on 7 hills which made it hard to attack.

What first attracted people to settle in the area that’s now Italy? The area had a mild climate and rich soil.

What were the names of the two twin brothers who legend says founded Rome? Romulus and Remus

What term is used to describe the first people to settle in Rome? Latins

What did the Latins learn from the Greeks who settled in Rome? How to grow olives and grapes.

What influence did Greek technology have on the Latins? - Romans copied the Greek alphabet - Romans modeled their architecture, sculpture and literature after the Greeks.

What was the name of the group of people north of Rome who came in and took control of Rome for more than 100 years? Etruscans

What were the “strengths” of the Etruscan people? They were skilled metalworkers - They were successful miners and traders The forced enslaved people to do the most difficult work for them. - They had a very strong army

What were some major changes that the Etruscans made to Rome? - They built wood and brick buildings - They designed streets, temples and public buildings

What group of peoples first wore togas? The Etruscans

The Birth of a Republic

What positive effect did Etruscan rule have on Rome? Rome became wealthy and powerful when the Etruscans were in charge.

What does the word rebel mean? To fight against a group or idea To protest

Why did the Romans rebel against the Etruscans? The Etruscan ruling family, the Tarquins, was very cruel

What do you call a government in which the leader is voted into office? A republic

How did Rome manage to grow from a small city to a large empire? They fought against and conquered their neighbors

Why were the Romans able to take over most of Italy? They had a very strong military with excellent soldiers.

Who served in the military? Every male citizen who owned land

What term is used to describe people who leave the military without permission? deserters

How were deserters in the Roman army punished? They were killed.

The long rows upon rows of soldiers were slow and hard to control. Why did Roman armies change the way they lined up and marched in battle? The long rows upon rows of soldiers were slow and hard to control.

What term was used to describe the smaller groups that the Roman army was divided into? legions

What advantage did the Roman legions have over other militaries? Because they were smaller in number they could cut through enemy lines.

A short sword that Romans used. What is a gladius? A short sword that Romans used.

A spear that the Roman military used. What is a pilum? A spear that the Roman military used.

What do you call the large poles that each unit in the Roman army carried into battle? A standard

They built permanent military settlements in those areas. What did the Romans do to help maintain control over the territories they conquered? They built permanent military settlements in those areas.

They built roads connecting them. What did the Romans do to make it easier to travel between their military settlements? They built roads connecting them.

The Roman Confederation What do you call the type of government that the Romans set up to rule the conquered territories? The Roman Confederation

What did the Roman Confederation do to help to make sure that the conquered people didn’t revolt? They treated them pretty well. They let them take care of local issues as long as they paid taxes to the Roman government. They sometimes let them become Roman citizens.