Ancient Rome

Rome took everything Greek and made it their own! Took Greek religion & changed the names Built in similar architectural style Also heavily influenced Roman art, literature and everything else

Time Line (before Christianity) BCE-Latin peoples move into Italy 800 BCE-Etruscans & Greeks move into Italy 509 BCE-Romans overthrow Etruscans and form republic 264 BCE-Romans begin to expand their empire 129 BCE-Rome is master of the Mediterranean

Rise of the Republic 509 BCE Romans set up a republic Republic- form of government in which leaders are elected by citizens Who are Roman citizens? ◦ Patricians (upper class) ◦ Plebians (lower class)

Plebians vs. Patricians Both had right to vote Both paid taxes Both served in military Only patricians could serve in public office System of law applied to both

How did the republic work? Consuls- elected each year to lead government/military Praetors- ran civil law system Senators- elected by all citizens Tribunes- elected by plebians

Roman Law Overseen by government officials known as praetors Developed a code of laws known as Law of Nations ◦ Innocent until proven guilty ◦ Accused had right to defend themselves in front of a judge

Compare & Contrast Roman RepublicAmerican Republic Consul Senate Tribunes Praetors Government powers split between various elected & representative officials President Senate Representatives Supreme Court Government powers split between various elected & representative officials

The Roman War Machine Conquered all of Italian peninsula by 264 BCE Highly organized, very disciplined Legion- basis of Roman military Also used as construction workers

Military structure Legion (5,500 men) Divided into 10 cohorts First cohort was specialists Each cohort led by centurion

Early Conquests

Rome Takes Control After conquering all of Italy, Rome begins to expand Both Carthage and Rome want control of Mediterranean ◦ Why?

Geography

The Three Punic Wars Rome vs. Carthage 1 st Punic War started in 264 BCE 2 nd Punic War ended in 202 BCE 3 rd Punic War Rome completely destroys Carthage in 146 BCE Rome was also conquering areas to the east during this time (Hellenistic states)

Hannibal Hannibal-Carthage’s greatest general, took elephants across the Alps to attack Rome, finally beaten in 202 BCE

How to run an empire? Roman Confederation: Some people allowed full citizenship Some conquered peoples are allies* Some conquered peoples became slaves *They could run their own affairs and even become citizens if they helped Rome succeed

Slavery With conquest came massive system of slavery that became backbone of Roman life ◦ Tutors ◦ Musicians ◦ Doctors ◦ Artists ◦ Gladiators ◦ Shop workers ◦ House servants ◦ Government workers

Slave Revolts Periodic uprisings Most famous was in 73 BCE ◦ Led by gladiator named Spartacus

Rulers of the Realm Julius Caesar Augustus Caesar Pax Romana- ◦ Period when Rome ruled Mediterranean ◦ Increased trade & travel ◦ Spread of Greco- Roman culture

Pax Romana

Roman Culture Roman expansion brought great wealth, but also corruption & growth of lower classes Corruption & growth of landed estates led to rise of dictators (unlimited rule by one person)

Daily Life Increasing number of landless poor Gathered in cities Dirty, overcrowded Voted for any leader who promised reform Free bread, free entertainment

Engineering an Empire Concrete Aqueduct Roads Public works & defense projects

Religion Roman religion was polytheistic They took Greek religion and renamed everyone 312 CE- Constantine converts to Christianity, it spreads around empire (more about that later)

Art Had Greek sculpture and art in their public buildings and homes Copied their form, but were more realistic in portraying people

Greek ArtRoman Art Focused on humans Idealized portrayal Copied Greek style More realistic

Literature & Language Virgil ◦ The Aeneid (similar to Homer’s epic poems) Latin ◦ Forms base for ½ of English language ◦ Basis of all Romance languages

Contributions Republican form of government (which is what the US is) Separation of government powers (judges, leaders, senators) Architecture Spread of Christianity

Gladiator fights Multicultural Eagle as national symbol Strong military World-wide trade/influence Spread of Greco- Roman culture