1. The Rise of the Roman Empire

2. Warm Up List at least four achievements of Rome.
On your warm up paper,
List at least four achievements of Rome.
Why were roads an essential part of the success of the Roman Empire?

3. Geography of Rome Peninsula in Mediterranean Sea
First Romans (Latins) built settlement near the Tiber River
Favorable climate: cool, rainy winters productive farmland
Apennines Mountains protected from harsh weather; safe from invasion
Tiber River prosperous trade; transportation

5. Why would the Romans build their settlement near so many hills?

6. The Roman Kingdom 8th century: became a kingdom Series of kings ruled,
Tarquin: Last Roman King
Harsh, unjust
Uprising in 510 B.C.
Wanted government based on the will of the people

7. The Roman Republic
Power rests with citizens, who vote to select their leaders
Model for many democracies today
All free-born males could vote
Laws to protect basic freedoms
Limited power of one person:
Two consuls
Could rule for only one year
Limited by Senate
However, wealthy/noble families had most influence; women had few rights

9. The Roman Army Powerful, well-organized Helped expand territory
Conquered all of what is now Italy, defeated Carthage in 146 B.C.
Gave control of Mediterranean Sea

10. Why would control of the Mediterranean be important?

11. Decline of the Republic
Tension between classes
patricians {the rich}
Plebeians {the poor}
=Civil War
45 BC: Julius Caesar brings order, names himself sole ruler
Ended Roman Republic
Killed in 44 B.C. by Senators who distrusted his popularity, including best friend Marcus Brutus

12. The Roman Empire
Octavian took power & changed name to Augustus (“Divine One”)
Empire: a group of different cultures led by one ruler (emperor)
“Pax Romana” (Roman Peace)
Policies allowed Rome to remain strong even after his death

13. Life After Augustus 2nd century A.D.: Reached largest size
Ruled two million square miles
50,000 miles of roads
Scotland to the Middle East (Mesopotamia)
60 million people under Roman rule

14. The Rise of Christianity
Roman leaders could not contain its spread
Based on teachings of Jesus
Used many components of Judaism, i.e. monotheism (belief in a single god)
Because Jesus achieved a great following, Roman leaders felt threatened by him

15. Rise of Christianity (cont)
Eventually arrested and put to death
Teachings spread even after his death
Christians at great risk (could be imprisoned, killed, etc)
As Christianity grew stronger, the Roman Empire grew weaker…

16. Ticket Out of Class 3-2-1: Three Facts Two Questions
One Surprising Fact (something you learned today that surprised you)