Ancient Rome

Rome’s Geography Site of Rome chosen for its fertile soil and strategic location. How? Location on Italian peninsula in center of Mediterranean Sea Built on Seven hills on Tiber River

Map of Roman Empire

Origins of Rome According to Roman legend, Rome was founded by Romulus (Rome named after) and Remus Father was Mars, mother Latin princess Raised by a she-wolf Latins settled around Rome 1000 to 500 B.C.E Greeks also established colonies in Italy Etruscans = N. Italy

Romulus and Remus

Influence of Etruscans Writing Religion The Arch

Roman Republic 509 BCE - 27 BCE Romans establish Republic in 509 B.C.E. Republic: government power rests in citizens Fight between Patricians (wealthy landowners) and Plebeians (merchants & farmers) Plebeians protected by tribunes (elected representatives) 12 Tables – laws to protect all citizens Basis for later Roman law Citizenship is limited to adult male landowners Hung in the Forum

12 Tables

Government of Rome Dictators – appointed in times of crisis 2 Consuls 2 rulers of Rome 1 to rule army, 1 to direct government Senate Representative body for patricians – upper class Tribal Assembly Representative body for plebeians – lower class, common people Dictators – appointed in times of crisis

Roman Army All land owners had to serve in the Army Organized into large military units called legions. 5,000 foot soldiers Cavalry (soldiers on horses) Divided into even smaller groups called centuries – 80 men Key factor in greatness

Roman Power Spreads Rome conquers Italy, but access to Mediterranean Sea blocked by Carthaginian Empire. Treats people humanely.

Punic Wars (264-146 BC) Wars(3) between Rome and Carthage Carthage, powerful city state in North Africa, rivals Rome 1st Punic War, Rome wins, takes Sicily in 23 year old war

Punic Wars (264-146 BC) 2nd Punic War, Hannibal led the Carthaginians against Rome. Tried to surprise Romans by sneak attack by going through Spain and France crossing over the Alps into Italy Included 37 elephants It worked. Terrorized Italy for a decade but didn’t capture Rome. Cannae 45,000 Romans killed. Scipio (Skip-ee-oh) finally defeated Hannibal at Battle of Zama in 202 BCE

Hannibal’s Route

Punic Wars (264-146 BC) Third War – Rome finally takes over as supreme power in W. Mediterranean Destroys Carthage Burns the city to the ground Enslaves people 50,000 citizens

Roman Helmet during the Punic War

Hannibal Coin

Republic Collapses Rome grew, gap between rich and poor grew Rich = large estates Poor = Slaves captured from wars worked their fields (1/3 of population) Brothers Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus tried to reform, but were killed. Poor should be given grain and small plots of land Civil war broke out after they were killed Military becomes less disciplined and disloyal Soldiers from poor families; show loyalty to their generals

Julius Caesar Military leader w/ Crassus and Pompey took control of Rome. Triumvirate – group of 3 rulers After 1 year of being Consul, he left to become governor of Gaul. Conquered all of Gaul, became very popular Pompey becomes jealous orders Caesar to disband Caesar ignores him, chases him out of Rome and becomes Dictator of Rome in 46 B.C.E., Dictator for life in 44 BCE

Civil War & Dictators Julius Caesar Pompey

Julius Caesar cont. Absolute Ruler Reforms Death Disbanded Senate Granted citizenship to people in provinces Created jobs for poor by construction of new buildings Increased pay for soldiers Death Killed by senators including “friends” Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius in Senate Chamber March 15, 44 BC

Beware the Ides of March! 44 BCE

Another Civil War 43 BC Caesar’s supporters take control, become Second Triumvirate Three kick out assassins Octavian (Caesar’s grandnephew and adopted son) Mark Antony Lepidus Jealousy drove Antony and Octavian to become rivals Octavian defeats Antony and Cleopatra at Actium Octavian excepts title of Augustus (“exalted one”) and imperator (“supreme military commander) – rules Rome

Battle of Actium

Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Marc Antony, and Octavian Julius Caesar & Cleopatra – Had an affair and most likely a kid (Caesarion) Lived in Rome till Caesar died Julius Caesar & Marc Antony – Caesar was Antony’s 2nd cousin, friend, supporter Julius Caesar & Octavian – Nephew of Caesar, Octavian becomes adopted son. Heir to throne. Marc Antony & Cleopatra – Become lovers and have 3 kids (twins and a son). Antony commits suicide and dies in Cleopatra’s arms. Cleopatra & Octavian – Cleopatra commits suicide after Antony’s death. Octavian kills Caesarion.

Cleopatra and Caesarion

Octavian Augustus: Rome’s First Emperor

Pax Romana Under Augustus, Rome moves from a republic to an empire Power no longer resides with citizens, but a single ruler Rome enjoys 200 years of peace and prosperity known as Pax Romana Augustus creates system of government Glorifies Rome with public buildings Sets up a civil service to administer the empire

Roman Culture - Bathrooms

Roman Culture - Villas House of Faun Wall Mosiac Hadrian Villa

Roman Culture - Buildings Arch of Septimius Severus Arch of Constantine

Roman Culture - Buildings Arch of Titus Ostia Theatre

Roman Culture - Buildings Temple of Venus and Rome – Largest Temple in Rome

Pax Romana 27 B.C.E. – 180 C.E.

A Vast and Powerful Empire Agriculture most important industry; 90% of Romans farm Common coin, denarius, makes trade within empire easier Rome has vast trading network, including China and India. Roads link Persia and Russia

The Roman World Slavery is significant part of Roman life in both cities and farms Some become gladiators; forced to fight to death Early Romans honor guardian spirits and gods Jupiter, Juno, Minerva Worship of emperor becomes part of official religion of Rome Rich live well; most people are poor, receive grain from government 150 holidays and Colosseum events created to control the masses

Emperor Nero Mother, Agrippina, influenced him greatly when he became emperor at 16 in 54 AD Killed step-brother, at age 14, because he was true heir to throne Killed Mother in 59 AD Executed a lot of his rivals Executed Christians as scapegoat for a fire in Rome Killed first wife, married mistress Poppaea In 65 AD, kicked Poppaea to death Senate declared him enemy of Rome, committed suicide in 69 AD

Emperor Caligula Son of popular general Germanicus Got sick and then went crazy, killing tons of people – many times for fun Indulged in too much spending and sex Slept with other men’s wives and bragged about it Incest with his sisters Epilepic, Hyperthyroidism, and Meningitis could’ve been the cause for his “insanity”