An Introduction to Rome

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW A LOT ABOUT ANCIENT ROME? WELL IT’S TRUE!

DOES ANYTHING LOOK FAMILIAR?

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BEFORE?

ARE WE STUDYING GREECE AGAIN?

WHY DO WE STUDY ANCIENT ROME?  We study the Romans because… - They made very important contributions in architecture and government.  Our own culture reflects parts of Ancient Roman culture. - We are able to learn from the events of the past and make wise decisions for the future.

WHERE ON EARTH IS ROME?

WHY IS THE GEOGRAPHY OF ROME IMPORTANT? Big Idea – Rome, with its central location on the Italian peninsula, was able to extend its influence over the entire Mediterranean Basin.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF ROME Egypt ROME Greece The Alps

HOW DID GEOGRAPHY HELP THE ROMANS? – Located in the center of the Mediterranean – Far away from eastern powers/empires. – On Italian peninsula, with few geographic neighbors/enemies. – Alps (Mts.): provided natural protection. – Med Sea: Gave protection, allowed for trade. Basically, Rome’s place in the world kept it safe from harm, but allowed it to interact with other people.

TRADE AND INFLUENCE

ANCIENT ROME

LET’S RECAP

MYTHS AND LEGENDS

THE LEGEND OF ROMULUS AND REMUS

According to Roman legend a princess named Rhea Sylvia had twin boys by Mars, the god of war. A jealous uncle who had stolen the throne from her father ordered her twins to be drowned in the Tiber River.

Fortunately, a servant had pity on the twins and placed them in a basket. Eventually, the basket washed onto the shore and the twins were discovered by a female wolf. The wolf nursed and protected the babies for a short time before they were found by a shepherd. The shepherd then raised the twins.

When Romulus and Remus became adults, they decided to found (or set up) a city where the wolf had discovered them. The brothers fought over exactly where the city should be built, and as a result, Remus was killed by his brother. Without Remus, Romulus became the sole founder of the new city and named it Rome. The date given for the founding of Rome was 753 BC.

BELIEVE IT, OR NOT? 1. What parts of the story seem too unlikely to be true? 2. If the legend does not explain how the city was really founded, why do you think Rome was built?

Although the Legend of Romulus and Remus makes it seem as if Rome was built in a day, the truth is probably very different. It is more likely that… Rome grew out of a number of settlements that developed around the seven hills near the Tiber River. In order to be safer from invasions, the settlements joined together as one.

However, regardless of how Rome was founded, thank goodness for the contributions of the Ancient Romans!

1. ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

A TOUR OF ROME The Aqueducts

A TOUR OF ROME Roman Roads

A TOUR OF ROME The Pantheon

A TOUR OF ROME The Colosseum

2. ROMAN ART

A TOUR OF ROME Mosaics

A TOUR OF ROME Sculptures

3. ROMAN GOVERNMENT

A TOUR OF ROME The Roman Republic (a representative democracy)