The Roman Republic 1

Italian peninsula 750 miles north to south Averages 120 miles across Apennine Mts. runs north to south Fertile plains for farming Islands of Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily are nearby 2

Impact of Geography Apennine Mts. did not divide Italy into small isolated communities (unlike Greece) More land for farming enabled it to support a larger population Rome’s location was favorable away from the coast built on seven hills – was easily defended central location on the Tiber river 3

Impact of Geography (cont.) The Italian peninsula juts into the Mediterranean Sea Important crossroads for the Mediterranean Governing Rome’s empire was made easier 4

The Land and People 1st Millenium B.C. - Latin speaking Indo- Europeans built Rome on the plain of Latium Influenced by other groups Greeks and Etruscans 5

The Greeks Colonized 2/3s of Sicily and moved up the Italian peninsula Passed on olive cultivation, alphabet, sculpture, architecture, & literature to the Romans 6

The Etruscans Influenced Rome more than the Greeks Were from north of Rome in Etruria Made Rome a major city Passed on the toga and organization of the army (also aqueduct, road, and wall building) 7

Early Rome Legend says that twin brothers Romulus & Remus founded Rome in 753 B.C. Early Romans were herders and farmers 8

Early Roman Expansion Continuous warfare Was attacked by neighboring states and defeated them Full Roman citizenship given to the conquered (their army was destroyed though) By 270 B.C. – all of Italy under Roman control 9

Why so successful? Good diplomats Firm, even cruel, when necessary Rebellions were crushed without mercy Extended citizenship to many States ran own internal affairs Established colonies, built roads, & fortified towns 10

The Roman State Distrust of kingship led to a complicated form of government (Consuls, Praetors, Senate, Centuriate Assembly, etc.) – division of power Early struggles between Patricians & Plebeians over rights and power 11

Rome and Carthage 12

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1st Punic War (264-241 B.C. ) Actions Romans send army to Sicily Carthage considers it an act of war Romans build a naval fleet Romans defeat Carthaginian navy off Sicily 14

1st Punic War (264-241 B.C.) Results Carthage gives up rights to Sicily & pays a fine Sicily becomes first Roman province 15

2nd Punic War (218-201 B.C. ) Actions Carthage adds new lands from Spain to make up for the loss of Sicily Romans encourage Carthage’s Spanish allies to revolt Carthaginian general Hannibal sent to attack Rome (w/ 30-40 thousand men, horses and elephants) Hannibal crosses Alps and attacks Rome at Cannae and wins 16

2nd Punic War (218-201 B.C. ) Actions (continued) Rome on the brink of disaster & raise another army Romans reconquer Italian cities Send troops to Spain and push out Carthaginians Romans invade Carthage and defeat Hannibal at Zama in 202 B.C. 17

2nd Punic War (218-201 B.C. ) Results Carthage loses Spain and becomes a Roman province Rome becomes the dominant power in the Mediterranean 18

3rd Punic War (149-146 B.C.) Actions Calls in Rome for complete destruction of Carthage Carthage completely destroyed in 146 B.C. – city burned, buildings pulled down, & inhabitants sold into slavery 19

3rd Punic War (149-146 B.C.) Results Rome turns attention to the eastern Mediterranean Greece & North Africa placed under control of Rome 20

Julius Caesar 100-44 B.C. 21

Military Commander Had military leadership experience from Spain and Gaul Had an army of loyal veterans 22

1st Triumvirate With Crassus & Pompey Crassus dies in battle Senate wanted Pompey as leader – was the least harmful to their cause Senate votes for Caesar to give up his command – he refuses 23

Civil War Caesar’s forces crosses the Rubicon River and marches on Rome Defeats Pompey’s forces and officially becomes the dictator of Rome in 47 B.C. 24

Caesar’s Reforms Gave land to the poor Increased Senate to 900 members Granted citizenship to people in the provinces Introduced a new calendar (from a 355 day lunar to a 365 day solar) 25

Assassination Who? When? Where? Why? How? Significance? Approximately 60 collaborators led by Marcus Brutus & Gaius Cassius When? March 15, 44 B.C. Where? Rome (senate chambers) Why? Senate was losing power; Caesar was acting like a king How? Stabbed 23 times (supposedly) Significance? Led to the rule of the second triumvirate for ten years, civil war, and Octavian as emperor 26

Christianity Becomes the Official Religion of the Roman Empire 27

Jesus is born in Judea Begins preaching a simple message of humility, charity, and love towards others 28

Is denounced by Roman and Jewish leadership Is tried and sentenced to death. 29

By the order of Pontius Pilate Jesus is crucified Loyal followers believe that he overcomes death 30

The “gospel” is preached by his disciples to Jews and non-Jews alike Christian communities are founded in Asia Minor and along the Aegean Sea 31

The Romans disregard Christianity at first but then random persecution begins 32

Grows slowly at first, but begins to appeal to the Romans for several reasons (salvation for all, baptism was simple, could relate to Jesus, sense of belonging, & personal relationship with god) 33

Constantine becomes the first emperor to convert to Christianity Constantine issues the Edict of Milan in 313 (official tolerance of Christianity) 34

Emperor Theodosius the Great (378-395 A. D Emperor Theodosius the Great (378-395 A.D.) makes Christianity the official religion of the empire 35

The Fall of the Roman Empire 36

Internal Reasons Empire split into two parts: east (Byzantium) and west (Rome) Lack of income from trade and taxes Social factors such as Christianity and the decline of Roman values 37

Different Theories Lead poisoning from water pipes caused mental decline The plague wiped out large numbers of Romans (population decline) Reliance on slavery led to a decline in technology 38

External Reasons Invasions by the Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths, Huns, and others Shortage of soldiers to fight threats 39