Ancient Rome

Terms to Define Terms to Define Patrician: wealthy aristocrat class that had come into being in Rome—Latin nobles. Patrician: wealthy aristocrat class that had come into being in Rome—Latin nobles. Republic: a community in which the people elected the leaders. Republic: a community in which the people elected the leaders. Plebian: Most of Rome’s inhabitants, some wealthy, some not, non-aristocratic townspeople and landowners as well as merchants, shopkeepers, small farmers, and laborers. Plebian: Most of Rome’s inhabitants, some wealthy, some not, non-aristocratic townspeople and landowners as well as merchants, shopkeepers, small farmers, and laborers. Consul: Two patrician officials elected for one year terms. They had to consult each other before acting. Consul: Two patrician officials elected for one year terms. They had to consult each other before acting.

Terms (con’t) Terms (con’t) Dictator: a leader whose word was law— occurred mostly during times of crisis Dictator: a leader whose word was law— occurred mostly during times of crisis Tribunes: representatives chosen by Plebians, granting them legal protections and the right to veto government decisions Tribunes: representatives chosen by Plebians, granting them legal protections and the right to veto government decisions

Greeks settled as colonies 900 B.C. Greeks settled as colonies 900 B.C. Set up farming communities Set up farming communities Planted olive trees and other crops Planted olive trees and other crops Introduced Greek alphabet Introduced Greek alphabet

The Italian Peninsula The Greeks were interested in colonizing Italy for several reasons The Greeks were interested in colonizing Italy for several reasons -Central location in the Mediterranean -Rich soil

Early Inhabitants Generally traded among themselves Generally traded among themselves-Mountains -Rocky coastline -Covered 75% of the country

The Etruscans Ruled northern Italy from 900 B.C. to 500 B.C. Ruled northern Italy from 900 B.C. to 500 B.C. Did not speak Indo- European languages Did not speak Indo- European languages Their alphabet came from the Greeks—but only a few Etruscan words have been deciphered Their alphabet came from the Greeks—but only a few Etruscan words have been deciphered

The Etruscans (con’t) Wealthy overlords Wealthy overlords Aristocratic priests Aristocratic priests Slave labor Slave labor Slaves forced to dual to the death to appease angry gods Slaves forced to dual to the death to appease angry gods Lower classes finally freed themselves— chief among them were the Latins who settled in Rome Lower classes finally freed themselves— chief among them were the Latins who settled in Rome

The Rise of Rome--Legend Legend Legend -753 B.C. Romulus was building a wall for his city on the side of a hill overlooking the Tiber River -Twin brother Remus building on the other side of the hill

The Rise of Rome According to Roman historian Livy, Remus leaped over the wall built by Romulus and mocked him. According to Roman historian Livy, Remus leaped over the wall built by Romulus and mocked him. Romulus killed Remus warning, “so perish whoever else shall overleap my battlements” Romulus killed Remus warning, “so perish whoever else shall overleap my battlements”

Romulus--myth Continued to build Rome—named after him Continued to build Rome—named after him –Romulus—myth—great military commander –Rome continues to expand Rome became the greatest city in that part of the peninsula Rome became the greatest city in that part of the peninsula

Rome Origins Latins Latins -Huddled in huts on seven hills -At some point, 800 B.C.-700 B.C., they joined to become one community--Rome

Etruscan Rule About 620 B.C., the Etruscan gained control of Rome About 620 B.C., the Etruscan gained control of Rome The Tarquins, name of Etruscan family The Tarquins, name of Etruscan family -Taught the Latins to use brick to build -Drained the lowlands and laid out streets

Etruscan Rule Created the Forum in the middle of the city—which became the government building Created the Forum in the middle of the city—which became the government building -Served as kings for Rome

The Tarquins Wealthy Etruscan family Wealthy Etruscan family Provided kings for rule Provided kings for rule Taught Romans to built with brick and tile their roofs Taught Romans to built with brick and tile their roofs Drained marsh lands and designed streets Drained marsh lands and designed streets

Social Groups Latin nobles called “patricians” Latin nobles called “patricians” –Patricians declared Rome a republic –Wealthy aristocrats

Social Groups Most of Rome’s inhabitants were plebians, Most of Rome’s inhabitants were plebians, -Both patricians and plebians could vote -Both responsible for serving in military

Social Groups Patricians Vote Vote Pay taxes Pay taxes Serve in the military Serve in the military Could hold public office Could hold public office Plebians Vote Vote Pay taxes Pay taxes Serve in the military Serve in the military

Plebians Against Patricians Plebeians resented power of Patricians Plebeians resented power of Patricians Knew they could not rule without them. Knew they could not rule without them. Plebeians made up most of military forces Plebeians made up most of military forces Patricians concerned about the military Patricians concerned about the military

Plebeians Against Patricians Plebeians went on strike Plebeians went on strike Left city create their own republic Left city create their own republic

Tribunes Patricians meet some demands Patricians meet some demands –Recognized the Plebeians chosen representatives,“Tribunes” –Granted them legal protections and the right to veto government decisions –Tribunes were members of the Magistrate of Plebeians and had some power

Tribunes Patricians recognized the Assembly of Tribes, the body of plebeians that elected tribunes Patricians recognized the Assembly of Tribes, the body of plebeians that elected tribunes Tribunes could veto any government decision Tribunes could veto any government decision

Tribunes Could not be arrested Could not be arrested Injuring a Tribune was cause to be put to death Injuring a Tribune was cause to be put to death

Old and New Laws Plebeians insisted laws put in writing Plebeians insisted laws put in writing The Twelve Tablets: basis of Roman law The Twelve Tablets: basis of Roman law Plebeians gain right to serve in public office Plebeians gain right to serve in public office Right to make laws in Assembly of Tribes Right to make laws in Assembly of Tribes

Changes for Plebeians Debt enslavement ended Debt enslavement ended Patrician/Plebeian marriage approved Patrician/Plebeian marriage approved Plebeians moved Rome closer to democracy Plebeians moved Rome closer to democracy The most significant victory—the Twelve Tables—a written law code The most significant victory—the Twelve Tables—a written law code

The Twelve Tables Roman law had rested on unwritten traditions Roman law had rested on unwritten traditions –patrician judges interpreted unfairly –Plebeians insisted laws be written down

The Twelve Tables 451 B.C. patricians engraved the laws on 12 bronze tablets set in the Forum 451 B.C. patricians engraved the laws on 12 bronze tablets set in the Forum -standards for laws -principle that citizens protected by law

Religion Roman influenced by Greek culture Roman influenced by Greek culture 500 years as a republic 500 years as a republic Borrowed Greek deities giving them Roman names Borrowed Greek deities giving them Roman names -Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love, became the Roman goddess, Venus -Ares, Greek god of war, became Mars - Etc. - Etc.

Religion (con’t) Families privately worshipped their ancestral spirits and their storeroom guardians Families privately worshipped their ancestral spirits and their storeroom guardians Worshipped Vesta, goddess of the hearth Worshipped Vesta, goddess of the hearth

Family The basic unit of roman society The basic unit of roman society Large and close knit Large and close knit Unmarried children, married sons and their family, all independent relatives, and household slaves Unmarried children, married sons and their family, all independent relatives, and household slaves The father was the absolute head The father was the absolute head

Father as Absolute Family Head Conducted religious ceremonies Conducted religious ceremonies Controlled property Controlled property Supervised education of his sons Supervised education of his sons Could sell his family members into slavery Could sell his family members into slavery Could kill family members Could kill family members However, fathers felt deep sense of responsibility for family However, fathers felt deep sense of responsibility for family

Roman Women Few rights, but more than Greek women Few rights, but more than Greek women Hosted parties, did marketing, ran households Hosted parties, did marketing, ran households Occasionally, acquired property and businesses Occasionally, acquired property and businesses Could study art, Greek literature, etc Could study art, Greek literature, etc Wealthy could let slaves do work Wealthy could let slaves do work

Roman Children Firm discipline Firm discipline Complete family loyalty Complete family loyalty

Parental Training Parents taught children reading, writing, and moral standards Parents taught children reading, writing, and moral standards Fathers trained boys: farmers and soldiers Fathers trained boys: farmers and soldiers Mothers taught daughters to run households Mothers taught daughters to run households

Values Thrift Thrift Discipline Discipline Self-sacrifice Self-sacrifice Devotion to family Devotion to family Devotion to the republic Devotion to the republic