1. Ancient Rome Periodization 2 Chapter 3

2. Comprehension Questions

3. #1. What advantages did Rome’s location give it in regard to trade? Rome’s location gave it advantages in trade because it lies near the midpoint of the Mediterranean Sea, dividing that body of water into eastern and western halves.Rome’s location gave it advantages in trade because it lies near the midpoint of the Mediterranean Sea, dividing that body of water into eastern and western halves. The city of Rome sits on the Tiber River in the middle of the Italian peninsula, making it extremely easy to send ships in all directions for trade.The city of Rome sits on the Tiber River in the middle of the Italian peninsula, making it extremely easy to send ships in all directions for trade. This central location also made Rome a natural hub for the transport of goods from all over the known world.This central location also made Rome a natural hub for the transport of goods from all over the known world.

4. #2. Explain the Roman Republic form of government. Republican government, as established by Rome, was very simple.Republican government, as established by Rome, was very simple. ALL citizens had the right to vote for their leaders, who then represented them in the assembly and made laws for the good of ALL the country.ALL citizens had the right to vote for their leaders, who then represented them in the assembly and made laws for the good of ALL the country.

5. #3. Why were the Roman Legions considered the best infantry in the world? The Roman legion was considered to be the best infantry in the world because its soldiers were well trained and well disciplined.The Roman legion was considered to be the best infantry in the world because its soldiers were well trained and well disciplined. As a result of its organization, the legion was extremely flexible.As a result of its organization, the legion was extremely flexible. Unlike the Greek phalanx, which could move in only two directions efficiently, a Roman century could move in any direction. This allowed the legion to outmaneuver, surround, and destroy and enemy much faster than a similarly sized Greek army could.Unlike the Greek phalanx, which could move in only two directions efficiently, a Roman century could move in any direction. This allowed the legion to outmaneuver, surround, and destroy and enemy much faster than a similarly sized Greek army could.

6. #4. What policies helped the Roman Empire grow & expand? The Roman Empire was able to grow and expand because of its powerful army, its powerful navy, and its policy of allowing local rulers to continue in office following their countries’ inclusion in the empire.The Roman Empire was able to grow and expand because of its powerful army, its powerful navy, and its policy of allowing local rulers to continue in office following their countries’ inclusion in the empire. Also Rome was fairly tolerant of the religions of the people it conquered as long as those religions did not threaten the empire.Also Rome was fairly tolerant of the religions of the people it conquered as long as those religions did not threaten the empire.

7. #5. What were the Romans’ religious beliefs? Rome borrowed many of its religious ideas from the Greeks and Etruscans.Rome borrowed many of its religious ideas from the Greeks and Etruscans. The Romans were polytheists who took parts of many religions and made them their own.The Romans were polytheists who took parts of many religions and made them their own.

8. #6. Briefly explain the three punic wars. The three Punic Wars were fought over many years and involved Rome and Carthage.The three Punic Wars were fought over many years and involved Rome and Carthage. The two fought for supremacy in the west.The two fought for supremacy in the west. The wars ended with the complete defeat of Carthage by Rome.The wars ended with the complete defeat of Carthage by Rome.

9. #7. Why did Greece first look to Rome as a friend but later change its opinion? Greece initially looked to Rome as a friend because the Romans had always been interested in art, literature, architecture, and learning.Greece initially looked to Rome as a friend because the Romans had always been interested in art, literature, architecture, and learning. Also, the Roman military looked very much like a protector as it marched into Greece, especially after it freed the Greeks from the rule of Philip V of Macedonia (197 BCE).Also, the Roman military looked very much like a protector as it marched into Greece, especially after it freed the Greeks from the rule of Philip V of Macedonia (197 BCE). As the length of the occupation continued, the Greeks realized that the Romans were NOT in Greece as friends but as masters.As the length of the occupation continued, the Greeks realized that the Romans were NOT in Greece as friends but as masters. Eventually some Greek city-states tried to free themselves from Rome, but that only served as an excuse for Rome to exercise still tighter control.Eventually some Greek city-states tried to free themselves from Rome, but that only served as an excuse for Rome to exercise still tighter control.

10. #8. explain Julius Caesar’s rise to power. Julius Caesar’s rise to power was accomplished because he was a patient man who know how to use money to achieve his ends.Julius Caesar’s rise to power was accomplished because he was a patient man who know how to use money to achieve his ends. Caesar befriended an influential Roman named Crassus.Caesar befriended an influential Roman named Crassus. Using Crassus’ money, Caesar was able to entertain the most powerful men in Rome, earning many favors.Using Crassus’ money, Caesar was able to entertain the most powerful men in Rome, earning many favors. In 60 B.C., Caesar and Crassus joined forces with Pompey, a general in the Roman army, and became the First Triumvirate, or ruling trio.In 60 B.C., Caesar and Crassus joined forces with Pompey, a general in the Roman army, and became the First Triumvirate, or ruling trio.

11. More about julius Caesar… Caesar served only one year as consul, then appointed himself governor of the province of Gaul.Caesar served only one year as consul, then appointed himself governor of the province of Gaul. Caesar spent eight years conquering much of present-day Western Europe, while ensuring Rome was aware of his triumphs. Caesar spent eight years conquering much of present-day Western Europe, while ensuring Rome was aware of his triumphs. In 50 BCE, a confrontation occurred between Pompey and Caesar. In 50 BCE, a confrontation occurred between Pompey and Caesar. Crassus had been killed in battle in Asia, and the other two became deadly rivals.Crassus had been killed in battle in Asia, and the other two became deadly rivals.

12. Julius Caesar (con’t) When the Senate ordered him to disband his legions and return to Rome, Caesar chose instead to lead his armies south and confront Pompey.When the Senate ordered him to disband his legions and return to Rome, Caesar chose instead to lead his armies south and confront Pompey. Caesar’s decision set off a long and costly civil war.Caesar’s decision set off a long and costly civil war. Finally, Caesar’s legions crush Pompey, who fled to Egypt seeking aid. Instead, the pharaoh had Pompey murdered, presenting his head to Caesar upon his arrival.Finally, Caesar’s legions crush Pompey, who fled to Egypt seeking aid. Instead, the pharaoh had Pompey murdered, presenting his head to Caesar upon his arrival. When he returned to Rome, Caesar was made dictator for 10 years!When he returned to Rome, Caesar was made dictator for 10 years!

13. #9. How did the government of Rome change when Julius Caesar took power ? After Caesar took power, he changed the way Rome conducted the business of government.After Caesar took power, he changed the way Rome conducted the business of government. He granted Roman citizenship to many people in outside provincesHe granted Roman citizenship to many people in outside provinces He expanded the Senate to 900 men!He expanded the Senate to 900 men! Greatly increased representationGreatly increased representation Bolstered support for himselfBolstered support for himself He ordered large landowners to substitute freemen for one third of their slave workforce. – which created many new jobsHe ordered large landowners to substitute freemen for one third of their slave workforce. – which created many new jobs Caesar opened up new lands to settlement for the poor by establishing 20 new provinces in Western Europe AND Africa.Caesar opened up new lands to settlement for the poor by establishing 20 new provinces in Western Europe AND Africa.

14. #10. How was Roman Society structured? Briefly describe the lives of the Romans. – divided into 2 classes. Patrician A small group of wealthy, privileged men who claimed that their ancestry gave them the authority to make laws for Rome AND all its people. A small group of wealthy, privileged men who claimed that their ancestry gave them the authority to make laws for Rome AND all its people. Lived lives of luxury and excess, often indulging in feasts of celebration. Lived lives of luxury and excess, often indulging in feasts of celebration. Held most of important political jobs. Held most of important political jobs. Plebian The majority of the population of freemen The majority of the population of freemen Farmers, merchants, and artisans Farmers, merchants, and artisans Had many rights, including the right to vote, but they were far less powerful than the patricians Had many rights, including the right to vote, but they were far less powerful than the patricians

15. Short Answers

16. #1. Contrast & Compare the governments of the roman republic and the United States. Similarities Republican-type systems Republican-type systems Use elected representatives to make laws and conduct the business of gov’t. as opposed to Greece’s direct democracy Feature both an bicameral legislature Lower house assembly Upper house senate Differences Rome’s gov’t represented only the citizens of Rome, all of whom were male, while that of the U.S. represents ALL of the people within our borders Rome’s gov’t represented only the citizens of Rome, all of whom were male, while that of the U.S. represents ALL of the people within our borders Male and female Citizen and non-citizen > Rome evolved into a dictatorship.>U.S has checks & balances

17. #2. Explain Rome’s transition from republic to empire. Rise of Caesar – alliances: First TriumvirateRise of Caesar – alliances: First Triumvirate Confrontation between Caesar & PompeyConfrontation between Caesar & Pompey Caesar’s triumphCaesar’s triumph Senate’s appointment of Caesar as dictatorSenate’s appointment of Caesar as dictator Caesar’s assassination  Civil War that led to a 2 nd Triumvirate which ended like the first – in a Civil War Caesar’s assassination  Civil War that led to a 2 nd Triumvirate which ended like the first – in a Civil War Octavian forced Lepidus to retireOctavian forced Lepidus to retire Octavian’s legions crush Marc Antony at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, resulted in the addition of Egypt to the list of Roman provinces Octavian’s legions crush Marc Antony at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, resulted in the addition of Egypt to the list of Roman provinces Octavian was then named First Consul of Rome. Octavian was then named First Consul of Rome. Octavian changed his name to Augustus, and his rule saw the completion of Rome’s change from Republic to Empire.Octavian changed his name to Augustus, and his rule saw the completion of Rome’s change from Republic to Empire.