1. Ancient Rome and Early Christianity
Historical Significance: How did the small city-state of Rome become the center of a vast, diverse empire that spanned the Mediterranean world? What were Rome’s legacies to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and other parts of the world?

2. Rome’s Early Peoples
Early Neolithic peoples had small farming villages
Between 2000 B.C and 1000 B.C. Indo-Europeans overwhelmed the Neolithic peoples (see map to the right)
No one knows where the Etruscans came from between 900 B.C. to 500 B.C. They did not speak Indo-European languages like the other inhabitants
900 B.C.- Came in contact with the Greeks
The early inhabitants of Italy mostly traded with themselves because they were cut off by the Alps to the north
B.C.- Greeks set up farming communities in Southern Italy

3. The Rise of Rome Legend of Romulus
Between 800 B.C. and 700 B.C. the Latins established the community that became Rome
620 B.C. Etruscans gained control of Rome
534 B.C. Tarquin the Proud, a cruel ruler came to the throne
The Patricians declared Rome a republic

4. Plebeians and Patricians
Wealthy non-aristocratic townspeople and landowners
Merchants and shopkeepers
Small farmers
Laborers
They have the right to vote, had to pay taxes, and had to serve in the military
They could not hold office
Wealthy Aristocratic Class
Nobles
They have the right to vote, had to pay taxes, and had to serve in the military
They COULD hold office

5. The Roman Republic Community in which people elect their leaders
Executive and Legislative branches
Consuls
Dictator
Assembly of Centuries
Senate
Plebeians v. Patricians
Tribunes
Assembly of Tribes
The Twelve Tables

6. Religion Worshipped nature spirits
Under Etruscan leadership, they began to see them as gods and goddesses
Soothsayers
Borrowed from Greek deities and gave them Roman names
Families also privately worshipped ancestral spirits

7. Family Basic unit of Roman society
Father was the absolute head of the family
Wives had few legal rights, but more freedom than Greek women
Children were raised with firm disciple and learned family loyalty
Values: thrift, discipline, self-sacrifice, and devotion to the family and to the Republic

8. Roman Legions
From 500 to 300 B.C. Rome faced threats from many of their neighbors in Italy
A strong army was necessary and all male citizens had to serve in the military when needed
Phalanxes were too large and slow- Romans used legions of 6,000 men
Legionaries were well trained and deserters were punished with death
Coloniae- permanent military settlements throughout Italy

9. Rome against Carthage First Punic War Second Punic War Third Punic War
264 B.C. Carthage threatened to seize the straight of Messina
Rome had the land advantage and Carthage had the sea advantage until Rome built a larger fleet and started using grappling hooks
Second Punic War
221 B.C. Hannibal became general of the Carthaginian army in Spain
202 B.C. Scipio’s forces defeated Hannibal’s army at Zama
Third Punic War
After 50 years of peace, Rome ended Carthaginian independence, burned Carthage, sewed slat into its fields and enslaved their population

10. The Republic in Crisis
While Rome was fighting the Punic wars, they were also fighting in the East and ultimately became rulers of the Mediterranean region from Spain to Asia Minor
The large territory presented some serious problems
The Provinces
Proconsuls
Latifundia
Equites
Crowding the Cities

11. Reform and the End of the Republic
Many Romans feared the growth of the latifundia and the spread of corruption
The Gracchi
Tiberius
Gaius
Marius and Sulla
The First Triumvirate
Julius Caesar
The Second Triumvirate
Marc Antony
Marcus Lepidus
Octavian

12. The First Emperors Augustus Caesar The Julian Emperors Tiberius
Caligula
Claudius
Nero
The Good Emperors
Nerva
Trajan
Hadrian
Antonius Pius
Marcus Aurelius

13. Roman Rule Imperial Government The Law Imperial Army
Professional Governors
New Roads
Pontifex Maximus
The Law
Jus Gentium
Jus Civile
State above the individual
Innocent until proven guilty
Imperial Army
Legions supplemented by recruits from the provincial people
With all forces, there were 300,000 troops which were not enough to defend a 4,000 mile border

14. Roman Civilization
From 31 B.C. to A.D. 180 Romans enjoyed the Pax Romana
Stability during this time boosted trade, increased the standard of living, and generated many achievements in the arts.
Unprecedented Economic Growth
Family life changed
Celebrated over 130 holidays, the Circus Maximus, and Gladiator fights
Advances in construction and technology

15. Judaism and the Empire
A.D. 6 Augustus turned the kingdom of Judah into the Roman province of Judea
Jews began looking intently for the coming of the Messiah
A.D. 66 Jews rebelled against the Romans
A.D. 70 The Romans took back Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple
A.D. 132 The Romans banned the Jews from living in Jerusalem and they were forced to live in other parts of the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

16. Jesus and the Spread of Christianity
Jesus traveled through Galilee and Judea from A.D. 30 to A.D. 33 preaching and making disciples
There was much debate about whether or not Jesus was the Messiah, and the Roman government felt threatened by him. He was ordered to death by crucifixion in A.D. 33 by Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor.
Jesus’s resurrection led to His followers preaching that He is in fact the Son of God and small groups of Christians formed churches
Paul’s role as a missionary
Peter’s role in creating the first Christian church in Rome
Period of Persecution

17. Romans adopt Christianity: The Early Church
A.D. 312 Constantine became known as the Protector of Christianity
A.D. 392 Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire
Augustine’s Confessions describes how he was converted to Christianity and he later wrote City of God, which was the first history of humanity from a Christian viewpoint
Church Structure: Parishes and Priests, the Diocese and the Bishops, Pope

18. The Empire’s Problems Political instability under Emperor Commodus
Rome’s armies began fighting each other rather than defending the borders
Economic decline due to the political instability
Severe Inflation
Heavy Taxes
Unsuccessful Reforms
Diocletian, Constantine, and Theodosius
Barbarian Invasions

19. The end of the Western Empire
The Visigoths
The Huns
The Vandals
A.D. 455 they thoroughly sacked Rome
A.D. 476 A German Soldier names Odoacer seized control of Rome, killed the emperor, kept the emperor’s son from the throne, and proclaimed himself king
The new German rulers accepted the Latin Language, Roman laws, and Christianity.

20. Time Line c. 753 B.C. Romulus founds Rome
c. 620 B.C. Etruscans gain control of Rome
509 B.C. Rome becomes a republic
451 B.C. The patricians enact the Twelve Tables
287 B.C. The Plebeians begin to make laws for Rome
264 B.C. Punic Wars begin
A.D. 14 Augusus Caesar dies
A.D. 33 Jesus dies in Jerusalem
A.D. 79 Volcanic Eruption destroys Pompeii
A.D. 96 Rule of the Good Emperors begins
A.D. 180 Pax Romana Ends
A.D. 284 Diocletian becomes Roman Emperor
A.D. 312 Constantine begins his rule
A.D. 330 Constantine moves Capital to Byzantium and renames it Constantinople
A.D. 392 Christianity becomes Rome’s official religion
A.D. 395 Theodosius divides the Roman Empire
A.D. 476 German soldier Odoacer Seizes Rome