Plebeian – an ordinary citizen in the ancient Roman Republic Consul – an elected official who led the Roman Republic Veto – the power of one branch of government to reject bills another branch of the government Dictator – a person in the ancient Roman Republic appointed to rule for six months in times of emergency, with all the powers of a king

The legend of Romulus and Remus Rhea was married to Mars, the Roman god of war. Rhea had twin sons. She loved her boys, but there were plots afoot by other gods and goddesses to harm her father, herself, her husband, and her children. To protect the boys, she set them adrift on the river, hoping someone would find them. Who would not love such beautiful boys? Sure enough, first they were found by a she-wolf who fed them. Then a shepherd and his wife adopted the boys. As the twins grew older, they decided they did not want to take care of sheep. They wanted to be kings. They decided to build a city on the shores of the Tiber. They both wanted to be the only king. They quarreled. In a fit of rage, Romulus picked up a rock, killed his brother, and made himself king. That’s how Rome started

Fertile soil and the Tiber river made Italy a good place to settle The Tiber River flowed into the Tyrrhenian sea Rome was at the center of a long, narrow peninsula we now call Italy Italy is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea which was the center of the western world

Historians know very little about the people who founded Rome. 600B.C. people called the Etruscans held power in Rome and spoke an unusually Italian language (not Latin related) Historians claim that the people revolted against the harsh reign of Tarquinius Superbus starting the roman Republic (other historians refute this theory) Romans adopted the Greek alphabet, Etruscans gods and the garment known as the toga Area inhabited by the Etruscans (in red)

In the Roman republic the most powerful part of government was the republic The Roman senate was the basis of the United States legislative branch of government – proposes and votes on new laws The first senate comprised of 300 upper-class men called patrician Plebeians were known as ordinary citizens and could not hold office or be senators

Rome found ways to govern that better suited the people and didn’t give all the power to one king Rome started to expand its empire 264B.C. the Romans had gained control of the entire Italian peninsula A republic, a citizen who has rights to vote select leaders, was formed Leaders rule in the name of the people

Two chief officials called consuls led the government and enforced, such as our President, the Republics laws and policies An assembly elected the consuls and the consuls rule for 1 year Power was divided equally between the consuls Consuls could veto, reject any planned action by a person in power The senate consuls on foreign affairs, laws, and finances

In case two consuls disagreed a dictator, a roman official who had all the powers of a king but could hold office for only six months, would handle the emergency Praetors started out as serving as junior consuls but later served as judges in civil law trials Trials settled disputes about money, business matters, contracts and so on This was the beginning of the first ruled courts of law

-leaders -fought hard to control the government -grew wealthy due to Rome’s conquests -used money to buy out small farms and make large farms -slaves worked these farms -gave into plebeians and created the Twelve Tables which stated laws so all citizens knew the laws -believed they had a right to be respected and treated fairly - did not trust patrician senate -formed their own group to protect their interests -were without a job when the patricians bought out the small farms -eventually, they refused to fight in the army - never found real power

Roman armies were conquering new territories controlled by Carthage, North African city -In 146B.C. the Romans defeated the Carthage while other Roman armies conquered Greece -The city of Carthage went from a population of more than a quarter million people was left with 50,000 survivors Soon after, Roman armies conquered Spain and the land of Gaul (present day France)

Roman generals started to gather their own private armies to fight for power within Rome Consuls no longer respected one another’s veto power Patricians and plebeians fought over land A Civil War emerged with private armies roaming the streets and murdering enemies

Caesar fought and won against Pompey 49B.C. Caesar became dictator of Rome but ruled longer than the 6 months” allowed for a dictator Caesar took power away from the senate 46 B.C. Caesar became the only consul 44B.C. he became the dictator for life Although he tried to reorganize the government many Romans saw this as him being a king March 15 th, the ides of March, the senate surrounded and stabbed Caesar to death From 58 – 51 B.C. Caesar conquered Gaul and his strong leadership won him the loyalty of his troops

Civil war followed Caesar’s death for 13 years Caesar’s adopted son, Octavian, held power In 27 B.C. the senate awarded Octavian the title Augustus which meant “highly respected” Augustus was the first emperor of Rome This time marks the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire The Empire lasted almost 500 years Roma was run by an emperor instead of the people

Province – a unit of an empire Colosseum – a large amphitheater built in Rome around A.D. 70, site of contests and combats Aqueduct – a structure that carries water over long distances Polytheism – a belief in more than one god Arch – a curved structure used as support over an open space, as in a doorway

Roman Empire All Roads lead to Rome Roman Empire All Roads lead to Rome

As Augustus rise to power he ignored the senate and its laws Once he established power he had much respect for the senate and was careful not to act like a king and suffer the fate of Julius Caesar Romans were so grateful for peace that the people gave Augustus much power

Romans admired Greek achievements -Hadrian spoke Greek better then Latin -Marcus Aurelius wrote a book of Greek philosophy Greek religion influenced Roman religion Many Roman gods had Greek counterparts Ex) Jupiter shared characteristics with Zeus Ex)Minerva is similar to Athena Heroes such as Heracles (Hercules) was adopted by the Romans As the empire spread Romans adopted other ideas and gods as well

Terrible: -Caligula proclaimed himself god and was cruel and unfair -Nero murdered his half brother, wife, and mother Five “Good Emperors” Hadrian -His laws protected women, children and slaves. -He issued a code of laws that were the same throughout his empire. -He reorganized the army, traveled throughout his empire, commissioned the building of many buildings, and encouraged learning Marcus Aurelius (last of good leaders) -Chose his son Commodus to be emperor who was a terrible leader

Some slaves were taken after Rome conquered an area but most people remained free The Romans divided the empire into provinces which had a governor and an army A city was built in each province to serve as the capital Romans did not force their way of life on people but instead allowed them to speak their own language and follow their own customs and religions Romans hoped that the peace and fairness would help to supply them with raw materials Romans wanted conquered people to buy roam products and pay taxes

Greeks: -interested in ideas -sought truth about the world through reason -Developed studies in mathematics -Philosophy, and astronomy Romans: -built on these ideas to organize the worlds -architecture and engendering soared under Roman Rule

Early Roman art copied Etruscan style Later Romans copied Greek style Eventually they developed their own style Roman architecture was heavier and stronger than Greek buildings Romans made advances in arches Wider arched ceilings helped create wide open areas Romans developed concrete, a mix of stone, sand, cement, and water that dries hard as a rock Concrete helped big bigger and stronger structures

Greatest Roman building A site of contests and combats between people and between people and animals The arena held 50,0000 spectators The structure was so sound that the bottom could be flooded with water for mock naval battles in boats Elevators carried animals from below up to the arena

Roman engineers built roads from Roma to all empires These roads helped the military to travel easier and faster Roads improved trade and helped Rome prosper All Roads lead to Rome

Aqueducts were structures that carried fresh water from country sides to cities The water came from mountain springs Sources of water had to be at elevations higher than the city They were huge lines of arches which ran for many miles and through mountains and valleys Every five miles the aqueduct ran underground to keep the water fresh by keeping out dirt and animals

Roman law spread throughout the empire Roman ideas for justices are the basis of our own system of laws In Rome person’s accused of a crime had a right to face their accuser. If reasonable doubt existed about a person’s guilt then they would be set free “Innocent until prove Guilty”