1. ANCIENT ROME & EARLY CHRISTIANITY
Chapter 6 (p )

2. Roman Government
Republic: Power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders
Same as the U.S.

3. Who has power? Patricians: wealthy landowners
Portion of the population: SMALLEST
Power: MOST
Plebeians: farmers, artisans, merchants
Portion of the population: LARGEST
Power: LEAST

4. Twelve Tables What: Rome’s first written law code Significance:
Established the idea that ALL free citizens had a right to the protection of the law

5. Government Under the Republic
Consuls: Command the army and direct the government
2 serve together
1 year term
Cannot serve again for 10 years
One consul can overrule the other

6. Government Under the Republic
Senate: Legislative (laws) and administrative functions of government
Members chosen from upper class of Roman society
Great influence over foreign and domestic policy

7. Government Under the Republic
Dictator: Leader with absolute power to make laws and control the army
ONLY in times of crisis
Power lasted only 6 months
Chosen by consuls, elected by senate

8. Rise and Fall Expanding Trade Military Conquest Assimilation
Roman Republic Rises
Roman Republic Collapses
Expanding Trade
Military Conquest
Assimilation
Economic Turmoil
Military Upheaval

9. Rise of Julius Caesar
Serves as part of a triumvirate with Pompey (General) and Crassus (wealthy Roman)
Triumvirate: group of 3 rulers
Conquests in Gaul
Great hero
Returns and claims power as DICTATOR
Many reforms

10. Fall of Julius Caesar
Fear of Caesar’s growing power, success, and popularity
Senators plot his assassination
March 15, 44 BCE: Caesar is stabbed to death in the senate chamber

11. The Romans
Crash course

12. Pax Romana 207-year period of peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire
Empire expands
Trade increases
Culture flourishes

13. The Fall of Rome: Contributing Factors
Political:
Political office seen as a burden
Military interference in politics
Civil war and unrest
Division of the empire
Emperor Diocletian- attempt to better manage the vast empire
Moving of capital to Byzantium
Emperor Constantine- Reunites the empire but chose to relocate the capital which shifts the balance of power

14. The Fall of Rome: Contributing Factors
Social:
Decline in interest in public affairs
Low confidence in empire
Disloyalty, lack of patriotism, corruption
Contrast between rich and poor
Decline in population due to disease and food shortage

15. The Fall of Rome: Contributing Factors
Economic:
Poor harvests
Disruption of trade
No more war plunder
Gold and silver drain
Inflation
Increase in prices and fall in the value of money
Crushing tax burden
Widening gap between rich and poor
Increasingly impoverished Western Empire

16. The Fall of Rome: Contributing Factor
Military:
Threat from northern European tribes
Low funds for defense
Problems recruiting Roman citizens
So, recruit non-Romans to serve
Decline of patriotism and loyalty among soldiers

17. The Fall of Rome: Immediate Cause
Invasion by Germanic Tribes and the Huns

18. Legacy of Rome: Latin Language

19. Legacy of Rome: Architecture
Aqueducts
Arches
Domes
Concrete

20. Legacy of Rome: Roads

21. Legacy of Rome: Law Right to equal treatment under the law
Innocent until proven guilty
Burden of proof on the accuser
Unreasonable or unfair laws can be set aside
SEEM FAMILIAR?

22. Fall of Rome
Crash course

23. Rise of Christianity Led by: Jesus of Nazareth & Apostles
First followers: Jews
Original teachings did not contradict Judaism

24. Jewish Diaspora Romans invade Jerusalem (70 CE)
Jewish political state ceases to exist
Disapora = Dispersal from homeland into exile

25. Constantine Roman emperor (306 CE- 324 CE)
Edict of Milan (313 AD)- ends persecution of Christians

26. Theodosius Roman Emperor (379 CE- 395 CE)
380 CE- Makes Christianity the official religion of the empire