1. Roman Civilizations

2. Geography Geography Italy is centrally located in the Mediterranean Sea Italy is centrally located in the Mediterranean Sea Rome is in the center of Italy Rome is in the center of Italy More open land More open land Mountains are less rugged Mountains are less rugged Broad, fertile plains Broad, fertile plains

3. Early settlers Early settlers Latins migrated to Italy around 800 B.C. Latins migrated to Italy around 800 B.C. Twin Brother Romulus and Remus founded the city Twin Brother Romulus and Remus founded the city Son of a Latin woman and the war god Mars Son of a Latin woman and the war god Mars Gave Rome a divine origin Gave Rome a divine origin Shared their land with Greeks and the Etruscans Shared their land with Greeks and the Etruscans

4. Romans soon drove out the Etruscan leader and formed their own republic around 509 B.C. Romans soon drove out the Etruscan leader and formed their own republic around 509 B.C. New form of Government, res publica, or republic New form of Government, res publica, or republic Government that belongs to the people Government that belongs to the people Prevent one person from gaining too much power Prevent one person from gaining too much power

5. New political structure New political structure Senate Senate 300 members 300 members All patricians, or landholding upper class All patricians, or landholding upper class Served for life Served for life Strongly influenced the republic’s laws Strongly influenced the republic’s laws

6. Consuls Consuls Each year two consuls were nominated by the senate Each year two consuls were nominated by the senate Ran the business of the government and commanded the army Ran the business of the government and commanded the army Could only serve one term Could only serve one term Had to have approval of the other consul Had to have approval of the other consul

7. Dictator Dictator Only needed in a time of war Only needed in a time of war Could only rule for 6 months, then had to give up power Could only rule for 6 months, then had to give up power Plebeians Plebeians Farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders Farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders Made up bulk of population Made up bulk of population Fought for their right to influence government Fought for their right to influence government Gained the right to elect their own officials Gained the right to elect their own officials Tribunes Tribunes Could veto any law that they felt harmed the plebeians Could veto any law that they felt harmed the plebeians Eventually they were able to be consuls and senators Eventually they were able to be consuls and senators

8. Roman Society Roman Society Family Family Male was head of household Male was head of household Enforced strict discipline and demanded respect for his authority Enforced strict discipline and demanded respect for his authority Wives were not allowed to administer their own affairs Wives were not allowed to administer their own affairs Supposed to be loving, dutiful, dignified, and strong Supposed to be loving, dutiful, dignified, and strong

9. Women Women Roles changed over time Roles changed over time Could own property and run businesses Could own property and run businesses Some even had strong political influence Some even had strong political influence Children Children All children were educated All children were educated Some hired tutors Some hired tutors

10. Religion Religion Believed in many Gods and Goddesses Believed in many Gods and Goddesses Adapted from the Greek religion Adapted from the Greek religion Zeus=Jupiter Zeus=Jupiter Calendar was full of feasts that honored gods and goddesses to ensure divine favor for the city Calendar was full of feasts that honored gods and goddesses to ensure divine favor for the city

11. Army Army As the political and social systems grew, the armies grew as well As the political and social systems grew, the armies grew as well Rome conquered many Greek and Etruscan city states and soon controlled most of Italy Rome conquered many Greek and Etruscan city states and soon controlled most of Italy Loyal, well-trained army Loyal, well-trained army Legions had 5,000 citizen-soldiers Legions had 5,000 citizen-soldiers Volunteers who provided their own weapons Volunteers who provided their own weapons Soldiers were rewarded with the spoils of victory Soldiers were rewarded with the spoils of victory

12. Enemies Enemies Once Rome conquered new land, they treated their enemies fairly Once Rome conquered new land, they treated their enemies fairly Gave them rights and let them keep their own culture Gave them rights and let them keep their own culture Roads Roads Built all-weather roads to link territories Built all-weather roads to link territories Roads connected trade and Roman ideals all throughout Italy Roads connected trade and Roman ideals all throughout Italy United Italy under Roman rule United Italy under Roman rule