Another Fowler Creation

The center of the Italian peninsula is the location of what came to be called Rome. The Latin's built the original settlement called Rome near the Tiber River on a series of hills B.C. This area was home to 3 groups of people: 1. The Latin's 2. The Greeks 3. The Etruscans These were the first Romans.

Rome was built on a series of hills and next to the Tiber River. The region experienced cool, rainy winters which created thousands of acres of rich farmland. Its location near the Apennines Mountain range shielded the city from the harshest of weather. The mountains also acted as a defense against easy foreign invasion.

 Rome became a kingdom sometime during the 8 th century.  This form of government lasted several centuries.  Most of the kings were Etruscans.  The last king to rule Rome was Tarquin the Proud  Tarquin was harsh and considered a bad king by most Romans  510 B.C. The Romans rose up and drove Tarquin from power  This was the last king Rome would ever have (the end to the kingdom of Rome)  The people of Rome decided to base their government on the will of the people.  This form of government in which the people elect their leaders is called a republic.

 Republic: a form of government in which the power rests with the people who elect their leaders.  Romans created a government in which average citizens had a voice (they could vote).  The Republic of Rome lasted for over 500 years.  Roman women could not vote and had few rights.  All freeborn males could vote.  Laws that protected the liberties of the average Roman were created.

Structure of the Republic: Consuls (2): Could rule for only 1 year. Senate: Law making body that acted to check the power of the Consuls. Army: the army was powerful and well organized. The army was used to expand their territory. Eventually, the Roman army conquered all of Italy, and other nearby lands.

 Roman Civil War: was caused by the inability of the government to control such a large empire.  45 B.C. Julius Caesar brings order to Rome and names himself sole ruler.  This marks the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire  44 B.C. Caesar’s enemies murder him.  Octavian: Caesar’s adopted son wins the power struggle and names himself Augustus.  Under Octavian’s rule the Roman Empire expanded to its largest size

Empire: is a group of different cultures or territories ruled by a single all powerful ruler. Emperor: is the ruler of an empire Augustus was a powerful ruler and used his power to create a strong government. Pax Romana: this is the period of time under Augustus when Rome was an empire at peace.

 Policies established by Augustus enabled Rome to grow and become stronger  The empire ruled over two million square miles.  Augustus built over 50,000 miles of paved roads.  The empire extended from Spain in the west to Mesopotamia in the east.  60 million people lived under Roman rule.