ROME The Republic The Empire

The Origins of Rome :The Myth Romulus and Remus

The Truth (as we know it) Earliest prehistoric settlements (1000 B.C.) Latin's shepherds Greek colonies in Italy Etruscans settlements Founded on “the seven hills” of Rome

Geography was important to Roman Success Rome was midway between the Alps and Sicily Rome was on a river near the Sea but not too near Rome was midway between Spain and the Middle East

Religions Polythestic Many early gods had no names but charged with taking care of daily things Took signs from nature

Social Organization Family Gravitas (seri- ousness) Role of fathers was important Role of women was less important Classes Patricians - upper class Plebeians- lower class

Rome achieved a balanced government. Monarchy- consuls Aristocracy- Senate Democracy- Election of Senators Dictatorship- crisis times

The plebeians made progress toward equality. Tribunes of the “Plebs’ –10 elected officials to represent the plebeians in the Senate –Were granted veto power Twelve tables-codified the laws Citizens’ Assemblies –More democratic form of government –All adult, Roman males could attend and vote

Punic Wars Between Carthage and Rome Three separate wars 1st war -Rome built a navy 2nd war-Hannibal crossed the Alps with elephants 3rd war- Rome destroys Carthage

Rome was hurt by the Punic Wars Many, many deaths Farms destroyed which led to proletariat Rich corrupted by power Slavery widespread Political arguments settled by bloodshed

Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus formed the First Triumverate but it did not last. Crassus died Pompey Caesar’s rival Senate ordered Caesar to return to Rome Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with loyal troops and became dictator of Rome

44 B.C. Caesar appointed dictator and tried to reform the government. Granted citizenship to the provinces outside of Italy Senate enlarged to 900 men Landowners had to use free laborers for 1/3 of their work force Public works program Used colonies in Spain, France, etc. to provide land for landless poor Designed a new,accurate calendar

Caesar’s Death Conspiracy Brutus and Cassius pardoned for supporting Pompey They killed Caesar for his ambition and disregard for the Roman Constitution Thought they had saved the Roman Republic but it was dead

Now Rome is an empire not a republic. The Senate and the Assembly continued to meet Octavian (emperor) continued to address the Senate Senate played along Octavian ruled as a dictator for 41 years

Succession never solved in Rome It was never determined how the next emperor would be decided in Rome when the current emperor died. After the death of the emperor, Rome generally went into a time of violence as different factions made their choices clear.

Toward the end of the republic a new religion was born. Jesus taught through –Parables (stories with a lesson embedded in them) –Disciples ( his chosen 12 men who spread his word after his death)

Many of the Christian teachings collided with the Roman ideas. Religious ceremonies - Christians did not attend pagan ceremonies. Fighting - Christians would not fight. Worshipping the emperor - Christians only worshipped God and Jesus.

Consequently the Romans persecuted the Christians.

Time of Crisis “Crisis of the Third Century” Economic Problems - three sources of prosperity ended (trade, plunder, farms) Military Problems - Goths over ran legions, soldiers fought for money not patriotism Political Decay - officials were no longer loyal to Rome

Barbarians Invasions Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Angles, Saxons, Burgundians, Lombards, Vandals Visogoths outside of Rome (Alaric)

Many historians have theories explaining why Rome fell... Political Social Economic Military

Immediate cause of the fall of Rome was... Pressure from Huns and invasions from the German tribes The Hun threatened not only the Roman Empire, but all Germanic tribes as well –Attila sacked 70 cities in Rome –Attila met with Leo I (the pope) and stopped short of destroying Rome completely

Fall of Rome Conquest by barbarians led to the sack of Rome.