1. Chapter 8
Rome's Beginnings

2. The Origins of Rome
Geography played an important role in the rise of Roman civilization
Italy is a long, narrow peninsula with a distinct shape
*What is a peninsula? an area of land almost completely surrounded by water except for an isthmus connecting it with the mainland.
-It looks like a high-heeled boot jutting into the sea. The heel points toward Greece and the toe toward the island of Sicily.

3. Origins of Rome The Alps are located at the top of the “boot”
These mountains separate Italy from the rest of Europe*
Another mountain range runs the length of the boot from north to south – Apennines
*What other mountains did we learn about last chapter that also separated a country from a larger continent? The Himalaya mountains separated India from Asia

4. Origins of Rome Greece Italy Mountains more rugged than Italy’s
Difficulty of crossing caused the development of isolated communities
Italy
Mountains less rugged than Greece’s
Large, flat plains of better farmland allowed more people to settle in Italy than in Greece
Italy – Groups from the north slipped through Italy’s mountain passes between about 1500 B.C. and 1000 B.C. because they were attracted by the mild climate and rich soil, a small but steady stream of newcomers settled in the hills and on the plains.
**Among these people were the Latins, who built the city of Rome on the plain of Latium (Lay-shee-uhm) in central Italy. SEE MAP on page 263 or have map on powerpoint.

5. Where was Rome located?
The site chosen for Rome was about 15 miles up the Tiber River from the Mediterranean Sea on the plain of Latium.
Why do you think this area was chosen as Rome’s location?
A – Gave the Romans a source of water and a way to the rest of the Mediterranean world. At the same time, Rome was far enough from the sea to escape raids by pirates.

6. Where was Rome located?
Rome was built on seven steep hills, so the Romans were able to defend their city against enemy attack.
Rome was also located at a place where people could easily cross the Tiber River
How do you think this helped Rome?
A- Rome became a stopping place for people traveling north and south in western Italy and for merchant ships sailing in the western Mediterranean.

7. How did Rome begin?
There were two legends that describe how Rome began
Romulus and Remus were twin brothers who founded the city.
They decided to build the city in 753 B.C.
Romulus killed his brother and became the first king of Rome
**As babies, Romulus and Remus were abandoned near the Tiber River. They were rescued by a wolf and raised by a shepherd. They decided to build a city in 753 B.C.
**However, Romulus killed Remus because his brother was making fun of the walls he was building.

8. How did Rome begin?
The Aeneid ,by Virgil, is the story of the Trojan hero, Aeneas*
After warfare and marriage to the king’s daughter, Aeneas united the Trojans and the Latins.
“Father of the Romans”
*Ih-nee-us
*Aeneas and his followers are said to have sailed the Mediterranean Sea after the Greeks captured Troy. After many adventures, the Trojans landed at the mouth of the Tiber.

9. How did Rome begin? Historians are not sure exactly how Rome began.
They think Latins lived in the area of Rome as early as 1000 B.C.
They built huts, tended herds, and grew crops.
Sometime between 800 B.C. and 700 B.C., they decided to band together for protection.
This community became known as Rome.

10. Early Influences Came to southern Italy 750 B.C. -550 B.C.
Greeks
Came to southern Italy 750 B.C B.C.
Romans learned to grow olives and grapes from Greeks.
Adopted Greek alphabet and modeled architecture, sculpture, and literature after the Greeks.
Etruscans
Lived north of Rome in Etruria, but moved south after 650 B.C. and took control of Rome
Skilled metalworkers*
Murals **
Changed Rome from a village of huts to a city of wood and brick buildings
Taught Romans a new style of dress
Army eventually served as a model for the Roman army
1st – After about 800 B.C., other groups joined the Romans in Italy.
**Became rich from mining and trade and forced enslaved people to do the heaviest work
**Murals depicted feasting, dancing, and bloody fights
**How did the Etruscans show their pride in their military? Their murals – since they took the time to depict battles, it show that is something they wanted to be remembered for.
***They laid out streets, temples, and public buildings around a central square.
****short cloaks and togas, which were loose garments draped over one shoulder

11. Birth of a Republic
Romans became powerful under Etruscans; however the ruling Tarquins family became more and more cruel
Romans rebelled and set up republic.
Over the next 200 years, Romans fought lots of wars with their neighbors, growing to be the masters of almost all of Italy
A republic is a form of government in which the leader is not a king or queen but someone put in office by citizens with the right to vote. In a republic, the citizens have the power. The rise of the Roman Republic marked the beginning of a new chapter in Rome’s history.

12. Why was Rome so strong? Romans were excellent soldiers
Discipline was harsh and deserters were punished by death.
Helped mold Roman soldiers into fighters who did not give up easily
*Excellent soldiers because every male citizen who owned land had to serve in the army.

13. Why was Rome so strong?
Roman armies originally fought like the Greek armies -- row upon row of soldiers marched shoulder to shoulder, keeping their spears together and holding long spears
Soon realized this way of fighting was slow and hard to manage
Reorganized into legions, which consisted of about 6,000 men and divided into groups of soldiers*
Why would this be more effective?
*Each unit carried a standard, which was a tall pole topped with a symbol. In battle, standards helped keep the units together because the soldiers could see them above the action.
-- These small groups could quickly and easily move through enemy lines.
*The soldiers, or legionaries, were armed with a short sword called a gladius, and a spear called a plium. Each unit also carried its own standard – a tall pole topped with a symbol. In battle, standards helped keep units together because the soldiers could see them above the action.
The small groups could quiclkly cut through enemy lines.

14. Shrewd Rulers
Romans were not only good warriors, but they were also smart planners.
As they expanded throughout Italy, they built permanent military settlements in the areas they conquered and roads between the towns
Roads allowed troops to travel swiftly to any place in their growing territory - “All Roads Lead to Rome”*
What is a shrewd ruler? Keen or smart in practical matters
*Roman roads were designed that way to hinder provinces organising resistance against the Empire. At its peak, the Roman road system spanned 53,000 miles (85,300 km) and contained about 372 links.
____Pictures are of a Roman road in Pompei and the other is a picture is a picture of road construction on Trajan’s Column - monument in Rome raised by Apollodorus of Damascus at the order of the Senate.

15. Shrewd Rulers Developed the Roman Confederation*
Under this confederation, Romans gave full citizenship to some peoples, especially other Latins. If Romans were conquering other lands, why do you think they would be willing to give these conquered people the same rights as Roman citizens? Romans made it clear that loyal allies could improve their position and even become Roman citizens. How did this prove that Romans were smart rulers? Because they knew conquered people could improve their position and even become Roman citizens. As they provided these rights and privileges, the republic grew stronger and more unified.

16. Chapter 8, Sec. 1 Review
What mountain range separates Italy from the rest of Europe?
What mountain range stretches from the north of the peninsula to the south?
How did these mountain ranges located in Italy differ from those in Greece? How did that affect the people of Italy?
Where was Rome located? Why was this area chosen?
Italy is a narrow peninsula that is shaped like a boot, and the toe points towards Sicily and the heel points towards Greece.
The Alps
The Appenines
Mountains were less rugged and allowed Italians to better farm the land.
On the plains of Latium, about 15 miles up the Tiber River from the Mediterranean Sea. This area was chosen because of its plentiful water supply and was far enough away from the sea to escape pirate raids.

17. Section 1 Review Cont…
What were the names of the twin brothers who legend claims founded ROMe?
Who wrote the Aeneid? What is it about?
Do historians know how Rome was really started? What do they think?
What two groups of people influenced Romans? What were some of the influences they had on Romans?
Why did Romans rebel and set up a republic?
How long did the wars last?
Romulus and Remus – Can anyone tell me the hint found in this question?
Virgil – About the Trojan hero, Aeneas who sailed the Mediterranean Sea after the Greeks captured Troy. After adventures, the Trojans landed at the mouth of the Tiber. Aeneas then married the local king’s daughter and united the Trojans and the Latins.
No – But, they think that Latins lived in the area as early as 1000 BC and lived in huts and grew crops. They banded together for protection, and the area became known as Rome.
Greeks and Etruscans – Adopted the Greek alphabet, sculpture, architecture, and literature, and learned how to grow olives and grapes. Etruscans – Rome went from huts to strong buildings and introduced a new style of dress and their army served as a model for the Romans.
The Tarquin leaders became more cruel
200 years

18. Section 1 Review What made Roman soldiers so strong?
How was the Roman army organized?
How was the Roman road system set up?
Deserters were punished by death
Legions – 6000 men divided into smaller groups of men. Standards
To hinder provinces from resisting and to allow troops to travel quickly throughout the area.