Early Roman History

Founding of Rome (myth) Romulus and Remus are born an ancestor of Aeneas, the prince of Troy. Uncle disposes grandfather and Romulus and Remus are to be drowned. The babies wash on shore in a reed basket and are raised by a wolf for 1 year until they are found by a shepherd who raises them on Palatine Hill. They kill their uncle and restore their grandfather to the throne.

Romulus & Remus Romulus builds on Palatine Hill because he sees 12 birds flying above it. Remus builds on Aventine because he sees 6 vultures flying above it. (Romans believed in Augury: that the gods revealed wishes through birds) Romulus creates a city wall.

Romulus Kills His Brother Remus steps over it saying that is what an enemy would do. Romulus kills him. Romulus names his city Rome and becomes the first king.

Geographic Advantage The hills of Rome command the best place to cross the Tiber River Control of this crossing is control of the trade between northern and southern Italy. Rome sat on the salt road. Salt was very valuable and used to flavor and preserve foods. Rome lay 16 miles from sea allowing it to trade and fish, but far enough away from Pirates. The hills of Rome.

The Etruscans- A Sophisticated Influence on Rome Cleared woodlands and drained marshes to create farmland. They built underground tunnels to mine lead and copper, which they turned into tools and weapons. Quarried marble and used for buildings and statues. made music, pottery, and jewelry. Towns were laid in grid patterns with streets meeting at right angles. Trade with Greeks made them rich. great warriors. “The Etruscans were the single most important influence on Roman culture in its transition to civilization.”

Greek Colonies Largest colonies were: Cumae, and Tarentum (taras). The close contact between Greeks and Romans eventually led Romans to adopt many Greek ideas and philosophies. Location of Greek colonies.

Rivalry Between Rome & Carthage

Punic Wars In the Punic Wars Rome fought against Carthage Carthage was a former Phoenecian colony There were 3 major wars, all of which the Romans won. The result was that the Romans gained control of the Western Mediterranean.

2nd Punic War- Hannibal Invades

Hannibal’s Victories Hannibal’s rampaging destroyed large amounts of peasant (Plebeian) farmland. He rampaged for 15 years

Effects of Punic Wars This forced farmers to sell their lands because they had no funds to repair it. The lands were then taken by rich landowners that used slaves as laborers. This left the peasants unemployed. The unemployed moved to the city of Rome. Widened gap between rich and poor Spartacus uprising - 70,000 slaves

Tiberius Gracchi Was a Tribune for the poor (he stood up for them in the Senate). He represented Plebians and made ideas into bills. When the kingdom of Asia Minor was given to Rome, Tiberius proposed that the land be given to the poor farmers who had had their land stolen from them. This made the rich Senators very angry because they wanted to increase their own riches. While seeking a second term as Tribune he was assassinated by a group of Senators. Area of Asia Minor.

Gaius Gracchi The brother of Tiberius was much more successful in the Senate, and was a great orator. Made the judices (judges) be chosen from the Equites class Reduced power and revenue of patricians Made a subsidized grain law that allowed citizens to buy grain 1/2 price from the state. Proposed widening citizenship to Latins, and Italian allies. In the end Gaius led an armed rebellion and was killed with 3,000 followers. Tiberius and Gaius Gracchi

Summary The Gracchis did many things to try and advance the status and power of the plebians, and stood up for them when nobody else would. There were numerous armed uprisings caused by the Gracchis (both direct and indirect), and these uprisings and the use of political violence helped lead to the end of the Roman Republic and into the Roman Empire.