World History Chapter Five The Roman World Takes Shape

Geography Rome is located on the Western side of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea Italy is not broken up with mountains like Greece is…it lends itself to a growing population with a good climate and good soil

Early Rome Latin's – settled in Italy along the Tiber river Ancestors of the Romans They were herders and farmers Romulus and Remus – Twin brothers – founded Rome on seven hills Brothers said to of divine origins – from a Latin woman and the god Mars – giving the Romans the idea they were divine

Etruscans Lived in Italy along with the Latin's Lived north of Rome Not sure where they came from (Asia Minor, the Alps) but they controlled most of central Italy Romans learned a lot from the Etruscans Merged their gods and goddesses

Republic Romans defeated the Etruscans and drove them away in 509 B.C. Republic – “res publica” that which belongs to the people People chose some of the officials Romans believed this would stop an individual from gaining to much power

Senate Senate – most powerful body of government in Rome 300 members made up of Patricians – landholding upper class Senators served for life Senators nominated two consuls every year to supervise the government and the military Consul – could only serve one term

Senate Consuls had to approve each others decisions Rome had checks and balances. How? If war broke out then a dictator would be named by the senate Dictator would have complete control over the government for six months Cincinnatus

Plebians Plebians – farmers, merchants, artisans, traders, bulk of the population, little influence Pushed for more representation and won the right to elect their own officials called tribunes Tribunes could veto – block – laws that could hurt the plebians Senate eventually was opened to the Plebians Laws of the Twelve Tables – Plebians could appeal judgments of patrician judges

Women Could own property, run businesses Most women worked at home, raising families, spinning, weaving Patrician women went to public baths, dined out, attended theater with husbands

Children Boys and girls from upper and lower classes learned to read and write Greeks were hired to tutor wealthy families Rhetoric was an important skill taught to boys seeking a career in politics

Religious Polytheistic – adapted from the Greeks Mars – god of war Had feasts and celebrations for the gods all throughout the year Most joined in, creating a sense of unity and community Temples all throughout Rome with statues of gods

Roman Army Success of Rome was due to its great army Legion – basic unit of the Roman army – 5,000 men Citizen-soldiers – fought unpaid, supply own weapons – like Greece had done Started receiving a stipend but largest reward was their share in the spoils after a victory

Army Roman citizens were raised with the values of loyalty, courage, and respect for authority This helped to make them good soldiers Commanders mixed rewards and punishments If they performed well they were praised and given gifts If they fled – one of every ten men was put to death

Conquered People Treated its enemies fairly Enemies had to acknowledge Rome, pay taxes and supply soldiers Could continue to rule themselves Some became full citizens or partial citizens – let them marry Romans and trade in Rome Rome posted soldiers all throughout the conquered lands – built roads to connect territory