Roman History Introduction

The Italian Land  Central position in the Mediterranean  Alps in the north  Protected against barbarian invaders  Fertile plains in the west extending to the sea  Apennine mountains in the east  Made eastern Italy largely inaccessible  Created two groups: wealth plainsmen of the west and poor mountain tribes of the east  Few good harbors, all existed in west of south  Sicily provided stepping stone to Africa  Wealth of natural resources: iron, copper, gold, tin, silver, stones, and timber  Central position in the Mediterranean  Alps in the north  Protected against barbarian invaders  Fertile plains in the west extending to the sea  Apennine mountains in the east  Made eastern Italy largely inaccessible  Created two groups: wealth plainsmen of the west and poor mountain tribes of the east  Few good harbors, all existed in west of south  Sicily provided stepping stone to Africa  Wealth of natural resources: iron, copper, gold, tin, silver, stones, and timber

Sources for Early Roman History  Archaeology  Written:  Livy  Vergil  Archaeology  Written:  Livy  Vergil

Early people of Rome  Latin speaking tribes:  Latins  Sabines  Samnites  Ubrians  Oscans  Non-latin people in Italy:  Etruscans  Greeks  Latin speaking tribes:  Latins  Sabines  Samnites  Ubrians  Oscans  Non-latin people in Italy:  Etruscans  Greeks

Regions of Italy  Eturia  Umbria  Sabini  Latium  Samnium  Campania  Eturia  Umbria  Sabini  Latium  Samnium  Campania  Picenum  Apulia  Lucania  Calabria  Bruttia  Picenum  Apulia  Lucania  Calabria  Bruttia ~ :Map-of-ancient-Italy---Engraved-to-

Early History  Etruscan Dominated much of Italy beginning in the 7th century  Ruled Rome for about 100 years  Etruscan culture had second greatest impact on Roman culture  Expanded south, came into direct contact with the Greeks and began to decline  Rome rebelled and gained independence around 500 BC  Etruscan Dominated much of Italy beginning in the 7th century  Ruled Rome for about 100 years  Etruscan culture had second greatest impact on Roman culture  Expanded south, came into direct contact with the Greeks and began to decline  Rome rebelled and gained independence around 500 BC

Foundation Myths  Roman people descended from Aeneas of Troy  Romulus and Remus  Founded April 21, 753 BC  7 kings of Rome:  Romulus  Numa Pompilius  Tullus Hostilius  Ancus Martius  Tarquinius Priscus  Servius Tullius  Tarquinius Superbus  Roman people descended from Aeneas of Troy  Romulus and Remus  Founded April 21, 753 BC  7 kings of Rome:  Romulus  Numa Pompilius  Tullus Hostilius  Ancus Martius  Tarquinius Priscus  Servius Tullius  Tarquinius Superbus