ANCIENT ROME INTRODUCTION

WHAT DO WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT ANCIENT ROME? People? Places? Gods/Goddesses?

Roman built cities from England to Africa and connected them with roads an other architectural marvels including aqueducts.

The Land of the Peoples of Italy  Italy is a peninsula which stretches about 1207 km from North to South. It averages about 193 km in width and has the Apennine Mountain range dividing the East and the West and The Alps in the North.  Italy has a few major rivers and areas of fertile plains that can support farming.  The Apennine Mountain range is not as rugged as the Greek landscape and therefore did not hinder the growth of connectedness between communities. The Alps provided some protection from invaders.

Apennine Mountains

THE LAND OF THE ROMANS  The land of the Romans was about 3x larger than that of the Greeks. Italy had 3200 km of coastline but unlike Greece there were few harbors (most on the west coast).  Trade was lively because of its geography as Romans could reach the Middle East, Greece, Spain and North Africa by sea.  Hilly and mountainous area made transport and communications difficult but hills in the north helped protect Rome from invasion.  Rome itself was located 29 km up the Tiber River which allowed sea access and safety from pirates and marauders.

Fertile Land  Italy has three main areas that were for farming that could support a large population.  Northern Plain – Enriched by fertile deposits from the Po River.  Plains of Latium and Campania which were enriched by phosphate from volcanoes.  Despite these fertile plains the Roman still needed colonies to supplement food supplies.

Rivers  Italy benefited from 3 major rivers:  The Po River in the far north.  The Arno River, just south of the Po.  The Tiber River, a 406 km river that started in the Apennines Mountains and emptied into the Tyrrhenian Sea, Rome was built on the Tiber.

The Tiber Running Through Rome

Ancient Rome  Began as an agricultural village in the 8 th Century BC.  Good soil  Supplies of wood and stone(marble and concrete-like mixture from volcanic ash) nearby for building.  7 hills helped defend the city.  Level ground near the river for the forum (city center)  24 km from sea- close to sources of fish and salt.  River route to the sea- meant trade with other civilizations.  Located in the centre of the peninsula- ideal for communication and trade with rest of Italy.

Influences on Rome:  Two influential groups occupied the Italian Peninsula: The Greeks and the Etruscans.  GREEKS Built colonies in the south ( BCE), which grew into prosperous city-states Greek culture flourished- this would have a profound effect on Roman culture, art, literature and language.

Etruscans  They were most influential on development of Rome. Developed a civilization just north of Rome Highly sophisticated society Expanded into Rome when it was a village and ruled for almost 100 years as it grew to a large city. Ruled by the Tarquin family The last King, known as Tarquin the Proud, was overthrown by the Romans in 509 BCE.

Video: Etruscan influence on Rome

Questions: Text p  See handout