1. Roman Empire The Light of Europe

2. Roman Government ► Romans have the biggest influence from 1)Greeks 2) Etruscans ► Rome marks its founding with the driving out of the Etruscans (Actual)  Legend – Romulus and Remiss ► Rome’s people are divided into 2 main Groups  Patricians – Wealthy elite – run the Senate  Plebeians – Average Roman – Gain power through 12 Tablets of Law (Publically displayed) and Tribunes ► Tribunes – Plebeian elected officials who elected officials who could veto the Senate could veto the Senate

3. Republic to Empire ► Julius Caesar transforms Rome with an act of Treason ► By crossing the Rubicon River Caesar begins a Civil War – Forced Senate to make him Dictator – “Veni, Vidi, Vici!” ► Caesar is loved by the Plebeians for helping the average Roman and hated by the Patricians for limiting the power of a corrupt Senate and they claim he is trying to make himself King ► Beware the Ides of March! ► Romans don’t believe in power passing from father to son. Creates a problem every time an Emperor dies – Leads to violent war Emperor dies – Leads to violent war

4. Roman Entertainment ► Most of Roman formal entertainment is centered around the Coliseum ► Completed in 80 AD as the greatest amphitheater of Ancient Times ► Could seat up to 87,000 people and be filled and emptied in under 10 minutes ► Believed to have retractable tarps for a ceiling ► Held Gladiator games, hunts, and naval battles ► It has been estimated that about 500,000 people and over a million wild animals died in the Coliseum games

5. Roman Army ► Rome’s Skillful diplomacy backed by the Roman Legions is at the heart of expansion ► Rome’s early army is made up exclusively of citizen-soldiers ► Switch to professional soldiers when they begin to expand and conquer so soldiers can stay indefinitely stay indefinitely ► Mix rewards with punishments  Soldiers win praise and gifts for courage in battle battle  If they fled every 10 th man would be killed

6. Roman Conflict ► Punic Wars – Rome vs. Carthage ► Carthage is led by Hannibal  Legend says he swore to destroy Rome @ 9 when Rome kills his father ► Hannibal takes his force including Elephants and other beasts through the Alps to conquer Rome ► Rome attacks Carthage while he is away forcing him to return home

7. Roman Conflict Cont. ► Hannibal is defeated at the battle of Zama  Forced to give up all foreign lands and pay tribute to Rome ► Still feared fighting returns years later. Rome destroys Carthage – killing or enslaving all survivors and pours salt over the earth.

8. Rise of Christianity ► Romans were very tolerant of other religions with the exception you must also worship Roman Gods ► Jews were the exception as to not break their traditions of Monotheism ► It is believed Jesus was born around 4 BC in the Roman Empire ► He preached forgiveness – very different from Old Testament Law of Eye for an Eye ► He was seen as a revolutionary who could led the Jews against Rome  He is executed in the Roman manner of crucifixion ► According to the religion he rises from the dead to teach Christianity