1. Rome

2. Foundations of Rome Historical Version: Remus
● Legend of Romulus and
Remus
- Rome founded by Romulus 753 B.C.E.
Historical Version:
Latin people settled on the Palentine Hill in Rome
Etruscans conquered the Latins; ruled harshly
Rome was ruled as a monarchy for over 200 years
Romans overthrew the Etruscan kings and established a Republic in 509 BCE

3. Italy in 750 BCE

4. Establishment of the Republic
509 BCE- Romans overthrow last Etruscan king
Roman forum built
Republican constitution, two branches
Executive: two consuls
Senate

5. The Roman Republic Early Rome was dominated by two social classes
Patricians - new wealthy aristocratic class, Latin nobles.
Plebeians - wealthy non-aristocratic townspeople and landowners as well as merchants and farmers. (common people)
Constitution allowed for dictators to be appointed in times of crisis

6. Expansion of the Republic
Dominated Etruscans
Took over iron industry fifth-fourth century BCE
Expansion via military threat and incentives
Tax exemptions
Trade privileges
Citizenship

7. The Punic Wars Conflict with Carthage, 264-146 B.C.E.
Three major wars over Sicilian grain supply
Later conflict with declining Hellenistic empires
Rome dominates Mediterranean by middle of second century B.C.E.

9. Civil War Class conflict leads to violence Julius Caesar
Rises in popularity
Public spectacles, Military victories
Attacks Rome 49 B.C.E.
Names self dictator for life in 46 B.C.E.

10. Caesar’s Policies
Centralized military, governance under personal control
Redistribution of land to veterans, allies
Building projects reduce unemployment
Extended citizenship to provinces
Aristocrats threatened, assassinate Caesar in 44 B.C.E.

11. Augustus Civil conflict follows death of Caesar
Octavian defeats Mark Antony and Cleopatra
Takes title of Augustus, 27 BCE (r. 27 BCE – 14 CE)
Monarchy disguised as a republic
Increasing centralization of political, military power
Stabilized empire

12. Expansion/Integration of Empire
Roman occupation of remote areas
Gaul, Germany, Britain, Spain
Coordination of crop production, transport of natural resources
Developed infrastructure
Roadwork
Curbs
Drainage/sewage
Flat paving stones
Milestones
Postal service

13. The Roman Empire, ~117 C.E.

14. Roman Infrastructure 60,000 miles of roads Population of 100 million
Uniform currency
Fresh water (aqueducts)
Development of concrete

15. Roman Attractions

16. Dependence on Slavery As many as 1/3 of population
Worked on farms, quarries, mines
Rome becomes stagnant
Too dependent on slavery
No innovation

17. Roman Society
Patriarchal - Families ruled by eldest male (paterfamilias)
Law gave authority to arrange marriages, sell into slavery
Women supervised domestic affairs
Right to inherit property, divorce
Eventually lost these rights over time

18. Roman Religion Polytheistic Gods intervened in daily lives
Adopted from Greeks
Gods intervened in daily lives
Rome tolerated cultural practices
If they didn’t rebel
Paid their taxes
Revered emperors and gods

19. Christianity Judaism eliminated by Romans
Christianity begins to spread
Missionary work (Paul of Tarsus)
Roman persecution – Christians refused to worship emperor as a god
Dramatic expansion of Christianity
Especially with dispossessed, disenfranchised classes
Urban poor
Women
Christianity becomes official religion of Roman Empire under Theodosius (~300 CE)

20. Decline of Roman Empire
Decline begins around 200 CE
Rise of Christianity
Long borders
Over-dependence on slavery
Technological stagnation
High taxes
Weak/corrupt rulers
Disease
Nomadic invasions
Roman Empire collapses in 476 CE