Ancient Rome CHAPTER 3, SECTION 3

THE MAIN IDEA The Ancient Romans made important contributions to government, law, and engineering. The cultural achievements of the Romans continue to influence the art, architecture, and literature of today.

THE BEGINNINGS OF ANCIENT ROME Rome began as a group of villages located along the banks of the Tiber River in present-day Italy. Settlers herded sheep and grew wheat, olives, and grapes. Around 750 BC, the villages united and formed the city of Rome.

THE FORMATION OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC For more than 200 years, kings ruled Rome. In 509 BC, Rome became a republic. (Note: A republic is a nation where the power belongs to the citizens, who govern themselves through elected representatives.)

THE SENATE An assembly of elected representatives. Most powerful ruling body of the Roman Republic. Annually, the Senate elected two leaders—or consuls—to head the government and the military.

PATRICIANS Members of wealthy, landowning families who claimed to trace their roots to the founding of Rome. Initially, most people elected to the Senate were patricians. They controlled the law because they were the only citizens who were allowed to be judges.

PLEBEIANS Working class male citizens of Ancient Rome, such as farmers or crafts persons. Had the right to vote. Plebeians could not hold public office until 287 BC.

ROMAN LAW In the early Roman Republic, laws were not written down. Only the patrician judges knew what the laws were. This gave the patricians the advantage over the plebeians. The plebeians demanded that the judges create a written code of laws that applied to all Roman citizens. The new code was called the Law of the Twelve Tables and formed the foundation of Roman law.

EXPANSION OF THE ROMAN WORLD By the third century BC, Rome ruled most of the Italian Peninsula. Rome also controlled the Central Mediterranean Sea. The city-state of Carthage, which ruled North Africa and Southern Spain, controlled the Western Mediterranean. Rome fought Carthage and gained control of the area.

EXPANSION OF THE ROMAN WORLD (Cont’d) Rome had highly-trained Soldiers, and they frequently conquered new territories. Roman culture and language expanded into Spain and Greece. By the end of the Second Century BC, Romans ruled most of the land surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

FROM REPUBLIC TO EMPIRE Rome became a diverse group with differing religions and customs. United by a common government and law. In the first century BC, Rome’s government changed from Republic to Empire.

THE END OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC Julius Caesar, Roman general and renowned speaker, was governor of the territory of Gaul. Caesar increased his power and reputation by conquering territories. Roman Senate feared he might be too powerful and ordered him to resign—Caesar refused. Caesar fought a long battle for control of the Roman Republic and succeeded in 45 BC. Caesar became dictator of the Roman world, which ended the Roman Republic.

THE BEGINNING OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE Caesar wanted to reorganize the government of Ancient Rome. His opponents thought he was getting too powerful. On March 15, 44 BC, he was stabbed by a group of senators on the floor of the Roman Senate. Civil War erupted and lasted for several years.

THE BEGINNING OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE Octavian, Caesar’s adopted son, was named the first emperor of Rome in 27 BC. ◦Marked the official beginning of the Roman Empire. ◦(Note: An empire is a nation or territory ruled by a single, powerful leader.) ◦He took the name Augustus.

THE AUGUSTAN AGE Augustus ruled the Roman Empire for over 40 years. The empire continued to expand. He sent Soldiers to protect the borders, which extended to the Rhine and Danube Rivers in present-day Germany. Architects and engineers built new public buildings, lighthouses, and aqueducts, which provided fresh water to Rome.

THE AUGUSTAN AGE (Cont’d) Trade—especially olive oil, wine, pottery, marble, and grain—increased throughout the Mediterranean. Numerous literary advances were made. The time of peace and cultural growth— lasting over 200 years—was called “Pax Romana.”

THE RISE IN CHRISTIANITY After the death of Augustus in 14 AD, Christianity spread from the Middle East to the Mediterranean world. Initially, it became popular in the eastern half of the Roman Empire. Christianity spread along the transportation networks constructed by Romans.

THE RISE IN CHRISTIANITY (Cont’d) Christians were treated with suspicion and suffered persecution as early as 64 AD. Roman leaders and others blamed Christians for natural disasters. Christians were punished or killed for their beliefs.

CONSTANTINE--THE FIRST CHRISTIAN EMPEROR Became emperor in 306 AD. Before a battle in 312 AD, he had a vision of a cross in the sky. He promised to become a Christian if he won the battle. He won the battle and became a Christian the following year. Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Today, Christianity has two billion followers.

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