The Rise of Rome And Roman Geography

Objectives Find Italy on a blank map. How did mountains affect life in Italy? How did Rome’s location on the Mediterranean affect its history as it began to grow into a world power? what brothers supposedly founded the city of Rome? What role did Aeneas play in the founding of Rome? What type of government did the Romans create in 509 BC? Who were patricians and plebeians different?

Terms and People Romulus and Remus are the legendary founders of Rome. They were raised by a she-wolf. A Republic is a type of government in which people elect people to make the laws. A Dictator is person with absolute power. There were also soldiers and slaves. Cincinnatus was elected dictator but gave up his power and returned to his farm. Plebes were the common people of Rome. Patricians were the aristocracy of Rome.

High mountains called the Alps separate Italy from mainland Europe. Italy is a long peninsula. Italy also has a mountain range called the Apennines running down the peninsula. The Apennines made it easier to travel up and down the coast than from side to side.

According to legend, Rome was founded by two brothers, Romulus and Remus. These two brothers had been abandoned as babes and then raised by a wolf.

Rome was built on the River Tiber, on seven hills.

Rome was officially divided into two classes. We’re the Plebians, or Plebes. We’re the poor or middle class. We’re the Patricians. We’re the wealthy ones. I’m a slave. I’m not in either class. In the beginning, Patrician men had all the power. Plebes didn’t have any power at first.