ROMAN EMPIRE 500B.C.- 500A.D.

RISE OF THE ROMAN CIVILIZATION Early Roman Settlement Isolated by Alps and Appenines Relatively Mild Climate-Allowed them to harvest more than one crop per year “Latin's”: animal herders who eventually cultivated the land started a small village on the Tiber River which became Rome.

ROME’S ETRUSCAN HERITAGE 800 b.c. Etruscan settlers arrived on Western shore of Italian Peninsula Built Rome into a center of trade Built sewer system, Roman Forum, irrigation system Contributions to Roman Culture Roman Religion (similar to Greek) Architecture-Arches Weakened by battles with Greeks and Carthaginians over trade routes in the Mediterranean Sea allowed Romans to overthrow the Etruscans. http://www.roman-empire.net/

Punic Wars Conflict with Carthage (North coast of Africa) 264 b.c. Carthage threatened the control of Sicily which meant they could dominate the water routes.

Hannibal Carthage led by Hannibal Invaded Italy with 40,000 soldiers, 37 War elephants, 8,000 Calvary by traveling across the Alps After 15 years of fighting on Italian Peninsula, Hannibal was forced to divide his army.

PUNIC WARS 2 Rome led by Scipio: strategy was to try and not fight on their own soil Attacked Carthage Forced Hannibal to return Defeated Carthage in 202 b.c. and gained control of all the Western Mediterranean Sea.

The Early Republic Republic: Form of government in which citizens elected representatives to carry out powers of government 500 b.c. Consuls governed Rome Two chosen from the Patrician class (upper class) by the Senate Held complete power Command Army, Propose new legislation, Interpret and carry out laws

Consuls Limitations: One year terms Consuls had to agree with each other. In war, a dictator could be chosen for 6 month period.

SENATE Senate: primarily advised the consuls on important aspects of government Proposed new laws Served for life From the Patrician class (10% of population) Assembly: passed laws and elected consuls and other government officials Consisted of both Patricians and Plebeians PLEBIANS-free citizens who had little property and had to serve in the army. Patricians dominated Assembly

The Plebeian Struggle 500 b.c.- began to demand more rights. Couldn’t marry patricians. Not allowed to be high government official. Treated severely in laws.

Plebian Reforms Received first important demand: Right to elect a tribune: leader who had the power to veto Senate actions Chosen based on geography ( not wealth) 450 b.c. : Roman law brought together in single written document called the “Twelve Tables” Covered most aspects of Roman public life Defined property and family rights Plebeians received more equal rights

Roman Society Dominated by aristocratic families and wealthy merchants Agriculture was basis of economy Slaves performed hard labor Varied social life Public baths Chariot racing Gladiator contests in Coliseum Theater was popular (mime)

RELIGION Influenced by Greek Religion Emperor worship required by citizens Stressed religious tolerance

Rome becomes a Dictatorship 79 b.c. - 59 b.c. : Military leader Pompey forms an alliance with Crassus (wealthy noble) and Julius Caesar(political leader) Caesar gained power by becoming more involved in military When asked to give up his troops, he marched on Rome Pompey fled and Crassus had died previously which left Caesar as the sole person in power.

JULIUS CAESAR Julius Caesar appointed himself as dictator Senate became a rubber stamp for his policies He resettled population, established public building projects, extended Roman citizenship 44 b.c. : Caesar extended his dictatorship for life Ides of March (March 15, 44 b.c.): stabbed to death in the Senate.

The Early Empire After Caesar’s Death power combined for 11 years. Octavian: adopted son and appointed heir of Caesar. Marc Antony: Roman General. OCTAVIAN WINS ALL POWER. He had to give approval of all laws. Selected all government officials for election. Commanded the Roman Army. Given title of “Augustus” which meant great one.

AUGUSTUS CAESAR Brought end of Roman Republic and beginning of Pax Romana Period of Roman peace until 180 a.d. No major wars (expansion of empire halted) Increased commerce brought prosperity Improved trade

DECAY OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE Pax Romana followed by a series of corrupt leaders whose only qualifications were that they were in control of the Roman Army. Borders were constantly attacked.

SPLITTING THE EMPIRE 284 a.d. Diocletian emperor Reorganized government into eastern and western regions He ruled West (from Rome) East ruled from Constantinople Hoped it would improve the efficiency of the empire Industry and trade declined (money became worthless)

FALL OF ROME Germanic Barbarians became a threat in 5th Century a.d. Sought new lands because of population growth and fear of the Huns. Claimed large parts of the Western Empire Carved out Kingdoms from the Roman Empire 476 a.d. Roman Empire fell Economy became stagnant Cultivated land declined Population declined

LEGACY OF ROME Greatest contribution in the fields of government and law Developed growth of Constitutional Governments Law formed foundation of many legal systems of Western World Protection of Property Assumption of Innocence Equality before the law Architecture Arches, domed roofs Engineering (aqueducts) Language: Romance Foundation of French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish