CHAPTER 8 & 9 ROME

Section 1- Rome’s Beginnings

The Origins of Rome  Italy is a boot-shaped peninsula in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.  The Apennine mountain range in Italy was easy to cross so, unlike Greece, people in Italy were not as separated. Italy also had farmland and was able to sustain more people than Greece.  The Tiber River gave the Romans a source of water and a way to the rest of the Mediterranean Sea.  Rome built it’s cities on top of hills for protection against enemy attacks.

Traditional Story Remus & Romulus Twin brothers, Remus and Romulus, were abandoned near the Tiber, rescued by a wolf and adopted by a shepherd. Romulus and Remus quarreled often until Romulus killed Remus. He then became king and name the city after himself. THE AENEID AENAES THE TROJAN AENAES SAILED THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AFTER THE GREEKS CAPTURED TROY. AFTER MANY ADVENTURES THEY LANDED AT THE MOUTH OF THE TIBER. THROUGH WARFARE AND MARRIAGE, AENAES UNITED THE NATIVE LATINS AND THE TROJANS. HE BECAME THE “FATHER” OF THE ROMANS.

The Greeks and Etruscans  Greeks and Etruscans played a major role in shaping Roman Civilization.  Greeks went to Southern Italy and Sicily between B.C. Romans learned to grow olives and grapes and adopted the Greek alphabet. Romans also modeled their architecture, sculpture and literature after the Greeks.  Etruscans lived North of Rome in Etruria but moved south and took control of Rome. Etruscans were successful in mining and trade and had slaves. They transformed Rome into an organized city.  The Etruscan army served as a model for the mighty Roman army.

The Birth of a Republic  The ruling Etruscan family,the Tarquins, became very cruel. Romans rebelled and overthrew them to start 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.  Over the next 200 years, the Romans fought war after war defeating the Latins and Greeks, taking over most of Italy.  Romans were excellent soldiers. Soldiers were treated with tough discipline and they were taught not to give up easily.  They also divided their army into smaller groups or legions of about 6,000 men. By splitting into smaller groups, they were more successful in cutting through enemy lines.  Under the Roman Confederation, Romans gave full citizenship to some people, like the Latins. Allies had freedoms but had to pay taxes, and any revolts were swiftly put down.

Section 2- THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

 Two social classes for Roman citizens: Patricians- Wealthy landowners & Plebeians- Artisans, Shopkeepers, and owners of small farms.  They could vote, had to pay taxes and had to serve in the army.

ROMAN GOVERNMENT  TRIPARTITE-  1. People who ran the government  2. Made laws  3. Acted as judges  Checks & Balances- No one group would get too much power.  Top government officials- 2 Consuls-Patricians chosen every year. They headed the army and ran the government.  Veto- Consuls had the power to veto or reject each other’s decisions.  Praetors- Interpreted the law (judges)

Patricians vs. Plebeians  Plebeians complained about having little power in the Roman Republic.  Went on strike & left to start their own republic  Patricians gradually began giving them equal rights. Eventually the Roman Republic become more representative in theory but it was still far from a full-fledged democracy (true equal rights)

Cincinnatus  A dictator in present times is known as an oppressive ruler. In the Roman Republic, a dictator did have complete rule, but served the people and ruled temporarily in times of an emergency.  Cincinnatus was a farmer when the Romans decided he should become dictator. As dictator in 460 B.C., he defeated Rome’s enemy and later returned to farming.  Civic Duty- Citizens have a responsibility to help their country.

Roman Law  Romans believed the law should apply to everyone equally “rule of law”.  Some people in lower classes had few or no rights. Twelve Tables- First written laws that were the basis for all of Rome’s laws. (Romans only) Law of Nations- Principles of justice that applied to all people everywhere. (Everyone)

Rome vs Carthage  Rome took over Italy and the Phoenicians from the Middle East took over North Africa.  Both Carthaginians and Romans wanted control of Sicily.  First Punic War- Romans invaded Carthaginians of Sicily.  Second Punic War- After first loss, Carthaginians expanded empire to Southern Spain. Romans did not like the Carthaginians expanding throughout mainland Europe & attacked the Carthagianians. The Carthaginians then sent their greatest General Hannibal to attack Rome.  Roman’s sent general Scipio to attack Carthage and Romans conquered Carthage. During Third Punic War, Romans destroyed Carthage.  Roman’s eventually ruled all of the Mediterranean, calling it “mare nostrum”, “Our Sea”.

Chapter 8, Section 3 THE FALL OF THE REPUBLIC

Trouble in the Republic  Rome’s armies were victorious but many corrupt officials weakened Rome.  Wealthy Romans created large farming estates called “latifundia”. This made small farmers go out of business.  “Bread & Circuses”-Cheap food and entertainment helped many dishonest rulers come to power.

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus TWO BROTHERS THAT BELIEVED ROMES PROBLEMS WERE CAUSED BY THE LOSS OF SMALL FARMS THESE TWO BROTHERS WERE KILLED WHEN THEY TRIED TO REDISTRIBUTE LAND FROM WEALTHY LANDOWNERS (WHO WERE ALSO THE DECISION MAKING SENATORS) AND GIVE IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE. In 107 B.C. a consul member named Marius hired the poor as soldiers. The soldiers were motivated by material rewards rather than a sense of duty. Soldiers for hire led to soldiers being loyal to their generals for money and land. Soon, this led to civil wars between ambitious men who wanted to seize power.

Julius Caesar  In 60 B.C. three men were at the most powerful of Rome: Crassus, Pompey, and Julius Caesar.  These men created a triumvirate- political alliance of three people.  Pompey ruled Spain  Crassus ruled Syria  Caesar ruled Gaul  Caesar won many battles and became a hero to lower classes. Senators feared he was becoming too popular and was going to seize power.  After Crassus was killed, the Senate decided Pompey should return to Italy and rule alone.  Caesar was faced with the decision to either obey the Senate and give up his army or march on Rome with his army, “Crossing the Rubicon” to start a civil war. Caesar fought against Pompey and defeated him.

 Caesar declared himself dictator for life in 44 B.C. He also filled the Senate with people that were loyal to him.  He granted citizenship to outside Italians, started new colonies and provided land for the landless which created jobs. This made Caesar very popular with Rome’s poor population.  He created a new calendar with 12 months and 365 days and a leap year. The Julian calendar was used until 1582, where it was then modified and called Gregorian calendar.  Caesar had many enemies that feared he wanted to be king. Senators Brutus and Cassius along with others stabbed Caesar to death on March 15, 44 B.C.

Rome Becomes an Empire  Caesar’s grandnephew Octavian, Antony and Lepidus created the second triumvirate in 43. B.C.  After forcing Lepidus to retire, Octavian ruled the west and Antony ruled the east. Antony fell in love with Cleopatra VII and formed an alliance with her. Octavian then declared war on Antony.  Octavian crushed Antony and Cleopatra’s army and navy. They soon committed suicide as they realized Octavian was going to kill them too.  Octavian knew people favored a republican form of government and reinstated the republic. He then named himself imperator or “Commander in Chief” and took the title Augustus- The revered or majestic one.

Chapter 8, Section 4 THE EARLY EMPIRE

Emperor Octavian/Augustus  Augustus started an era of peace and the peak of the Roman Empire. This time was called “Pax Romana” or Roman Peace.  Achievements:  Built permanent, professional army of 150,000 men & Praetorian guard  Expanded Rome’s empire  Rebuilt Rome’s palaces, fountains and public buildings  Re-organized government and reformed the Roman tax system  Reformed legal system

Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius & Nero  Tiberius and Claudius ran Rome well.  Caligula was mentally ill. He had many people murdered, wasted money and gave his favorite horse a position of consul. He was eventually killed by the Praetorian Guard and replaced by Claudius.  Nero killed his mother and two wives. He played music as Rome burned and eventually killed himself.

Vaspasian & the Good Emperors  After Nero’s death, Vaspasian restored peace and order in Rome. He also began construction on the Colloseum- a huge amphiteatre.  His two sons ruled after him and during Titus’s reign, Mt. Vesuvius destroyed the city of Pompeii, a major trade city.  Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus, Pius and Marcus Aurelius are known as the “Good Emperors”.  These emperors helped rebuild Rome, strengthen political ties, expand the empire, unify the Mediterranean and created a common currency.