Ancient Rome

Origins of Rome Italy is in the middle of the Mediterranean region. Rome is 15 miles up the Tiber River from the Mediterranean Sea. The Tiber River was a source of water to the Romans.

Rome Locate: Sicily Apennines Latium Etruria Tiber Rive r

Location of Rome The Location of Rome List examples of how geography determined Rome’s location.

How did Rome Begin? 2 Legends on how Rome actually began. 1- Twin brothers founded the city. They were abandoned near the Tiber River when young. They decided to build a city around 735 B.C. The twins had a fight. Finally the city was named after the first king, Romulus.

How Did Rome Begin? 2. The Trojan hero Aeneas and his followers sailed the Mediterranean Sea after the Greeks captured Troy. He landed at the mouth of the Tiber ad married the local king’s daughter. Aeneas united the Trojans and some Latins; he then became the “father” of the Romans.

Early Influences Around 800 B.C. the Greeks and the Etruscans joined the Romans in Italy. They adopted the Greek Alphabet, and modeled architecture, sculpture and literature after the Greeks.

Etruscans After 350 BC the Etruscans moved south and took control of Rome and most of Latium. They changed Rome from a village of straw-roofed huts into a city of wood and brick buildings. The Etruscan army served as a model for the mighty army of the Romans.

The Republic of Rome Although the Etruscans created a government that was wealthy and powerful; the Tarquins- the ruling family- grew very cruel. The Romans rebelled and created a Republic. A republic is a form of government in which the leader is not a king or queen but someone put in office by citizens with the right to vote.

The Republic Today: How does the Roman Republic compare to our Government today?

Mighty Rome? In the early Republic, every male citizen who owned land had to serve in the army. Disciple was harsh and the deserters were punished with death. The soldiers were molded so they would not give up easily.

Roman Armies The Roman armies fought like the Greeks at first. But they soon found that it was better to march in legions. Legions are smaller groups of 6,000 men. Then each legion was divided into 60 groups of 120 soldiers.

Roman Weapons Gladius- a short sword Pilum- a spear

Questions Section 1 Where is Rome located? What is one of the legions of how Rome began? Which group had the most influence on Romans? What type of government did Rome have? Who was in the Roman army?