1. Rome’s Beginnings

2. Around 1600 B.C., Ancient Rome grew from a small town on Italy’s Tiber River. Eventually it grew into an empire that included most of Europe, W. Asia, N. Africa and the Mediterranean islands. The Roman civilization has had a lasting impact on our world today. Their culture has influenced our language, government, architecture & engineering. Like other ancient worlds, Rome was heavily influenced by other cultures. One in particular was ancient Greece.

3. Romulus & Remus
Legend has it, Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus, twin sons of Mars, the god of war. By the orders of the king, they were left to drown in a basket on the Tiber River. They were later rescued by a she-wolf. The twins lived to defeat that king and found their own city on the river’s banks in 753 B.C. After killing his brother, Romulus became the first king of Rome, which is named for him.

4. Location Located in Italy (Europe) Peninsula ¾ of the land is hilly
Tiber River
Italy forms a bridge between Europe, Africa & Asia

5. How might the location of the Tiber River influence and/or impact Rome & trade?

6. Italy’s climate is warm and moist much of the year, making Italy an ideal place for farming.
The climate along the Tiber River was ideal for crops such as grapes and olives.

7. Location, Location, Location
Rome’s location had an extreme impact on their success.
It’s location promoted trade/interaction/ conquests with other lands.

8. Several geographic features also provided Rome with protection from outside invaders.
1. The Alps:
provided security in the north
2. Peninsular shape:
limited ability of opposing forces
3. Mediterranean Sea: provided a buffer against rival invasions

9. Religion Like Greece, Romans were polytheistic.
They adopted many of the deities in Greece.
The Romans simply renamed all the gods/goddesses of Greece.
Zues – JUPITER
Hera – JUNO

10. Language Latin is the language of the Romans.
It is the basis for the “Romance Languages”:
Italian
Spanish
French
Portuguese
Romanian

11. Although English derived from German, much of our vocabulary is influenced from Latin.
Veto
Curriculum
Extensively used in the fields of medicine, law and science (species of plants/animals)
rosea = rose pink
Elephas Maximus Sumatranus

12. Architecture
Romans greatly advanced previous accomplishments and were often geared toward solving problems with everyday life.
The Arch
Romans modified traditional posts which was used to utilize higher & more stable structures.
Example: The Coliseum

13. Architecture cont… Domes
Romans greatly advanced previous accomplishments and were often geared toward solving problems with everyday life.
Domes
The Romans were also the 1st to incorporate domes into their structures

14. Engineering
One engineering marvel was the aqueduct. They were designed to supply fresh water to the cities. Many of these aqueducts are still used today!
Aqueducts (3:00)

15. Another engineering marvel were the Roman roads
Another engineering marvel were the Roman roads. These roads were designed and constructed to unify the empire for trade and protection.

16. All Roads Lead to Rome…
At the height of the Roman Empire, there were over 400,000 km of roads connecting the provinces to Rome.
1/5 of all of the roads were paved in stone.
Roman Roads (3 min)

17. Atlantic
Ocean
Greece
Med Sea
AFRICA