Transcript Why were the Romans able to conquer Italy & the

Chapter 5: Ancient Rome and
Christianity
Section 1: Rome Takes Shape
Ms. Blackburn
Geography of Rome
• Italian Peninsula
• Located at center of
Mediterranean Sea
• Rome: near center of
Italy
• was much easier to
unify that Greece
because
• Not broken up like
Greece
• Mountains not as
rugged
• Broad, fertile plains in
North and West which
supported population
growth
Early People
 Rome shared
peninsula with other
peoples
 Including Greeks
(South) and Etruscans
(North)
 Etruscans– North of Rome
– Rome learned from
them
– Farming, building,
alphabet
– Romans drove out
Etruscans and take
over (509 B.C.)
2 Types of Citizens
 Patricians- wealthy landowners who held
most of the power: inherited power and
social status
 Plebeians- (Plebs) common farmers,
artisans and merchants who made up the
majority of the population: can vote, but
can’t rule
Roman Government
 Republic
– Power rests with the citizens who have the right
to vote for their leaders.
– In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was
granted only to free-born male citizens.
The Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.)
 Senate
– 300 members,
patricians only,
served for life
 Consuls
– 2 patricians elected
every 2 years to
supervise gov./armies
 Dictator
– Absolute ruler, used
in times of crisis, 6
months
 Tribunes
– Elected by plebeians
to protect their rights
– Eventually entered
higher offices and
gained power
The Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.)
THE TWELVE TABLES
 First set of written Roman laws
 451 B.C., officials carve Roman laws on twelve
tablets and hung in Forum.
 Laws confirm right of all free citizens to
protection of the law
 Become the basis for later Roman law
Daily Life
 Father is head of
household, absolute
power over family (law)
 Education very
important, everyone
was being educated
 Believed in many
gods/goddesses
The Roman Army
 All citizens were required
to serve
 Army was powerful:
– Organization & fighting skill
 Legion- military unit of
5,000 infantry (foot
soldiers) supported by
cavalry (horseback)
Section 2: Punic Wars
Ms
Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)
 Three Wars between
Rome and Carthage
 1st Punic War- Rome
gains control of Sicily &
western Mediterranean
Sea.
The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars.
New York Public Library Picture Collection
Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)
 2nd Punic WarCarthaginian General
Hannibal’s “surprise”
attack through Spain &
France
The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars.
New York Public Library Picture Collection
– 60,000 soldiers and 60
elephants
– Romans experience severe
losses, but eventually ward
off attacks & invade North
Africa
Hannibal's troops crossing the Rhone River on their way to attack northern Italy.
Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)
 3rd Punic War- Rome
seizes Carthage
– Scipio- Roman Strategist
– Conquered people sold into
slavery
The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars.
New York Public Library Picture Collection
SUCCESSION
 In theory, the position of emperor was not hereditary
– It was not passed down automatically from father to
son
– According to law, when an emperor dies, his power
reverted back to the people of Rome and they could
then give this power to whomever they liked
 Yet Augustus, throughout his reign, planned for a
hereditary succession and attempted to pass his
power to his heir while he was still alive
– Most Romans accepted this principle without
serious opposition
 Saw it as the only alternative to the bloody civil
wars of the Late Republic
PEOPLE OF ROME
DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS
Patricians – wealthy, ruling class
Goal: To keep power & prestige
through any means necessary
Plebians – working class
Goal: Social & political equality
ROMAN
SENATE
The consuls ran the gov’t. and led the Roman army into battle. The
praetors were the judges…but fairness was not guaranteed.
Pax Romana stands for “Roman Peace”
This time in Rome lasted for 100 years under
the outstanding leadership of 5 great emperors
of Rome, including Hadrian & Marcus Aurelius.
Origin of the Etruscans
Z
Between 900 and 500 BCE
Z
Called themselves the Rasenna, the
Greeks called them Tyrrhenioi; the
Romans called them the Etruscans.
Z
Came from eastern Mediterranean,
possibly Asia Minor.
Z
Their land was called Etruria.
LIVY
-wrote the “History of Rome”
HOMER
-Important to the ancient Romans
-wrote “The Satires” about Roman life
IMPERATOR
-commander-in-chief
title
-Octavian was given
this title by the Senate
as emperor
OCTAVIAN
Architecture influenced by the Romans
Twelve Tables – 1st Roman Code of Law
***evolved into the Law of Nations --- natural law
Carthegenian
general
-defeated during
the 2nd Punic
War
-known as one of
the greatest
military leaders
of all time
JULIUS CAESAR
-Dictator of Rome
-known for trying to help
the poor
Killed by his own men
‘e tu, Brute?
MARC ANTONY
-Fought with Octavian
over control over Rome
CLEOPATRA
-Fell in love with Antony;
sided Egypt with him
but lost
Circus Maximus
At first, the people thought Nero was rather fun. He was always doing crazy
things. One day, Nero showed up at the Circus Maximus, ready to race!
The Circus Maximus was a huge outdoor arena, with seating for 250,000 people. It
was used mostly for chariot racing by the best professional racers.
He still would have lost every race. He was that bad. Only no one dared to
beat him. Anyone who tried had a fatal “accident” soon after.
Most famous
leader?
*Tribe from Asia that became a major
ATTILA
adversary of the Roman army
*Acted like Vikings (took what they
wanted, then left)
SPARTACUS
Former slave who was forced to become a gladiator at the Colosseum
-led a slave revolt and defeated many Roman armies despite
overwhelming odds against him
****6,000 of his men were eventually crucified upon their capture!
ETRUSCANS HAD A MAJOR INFLUENCE
ON THE ROMAN MILITARY AND THE WAY
THE ROMANS DRESSED
Why was
Rome so
successful?
•Great military leaders
•Excellent diplomats
•Practical in all matters
Gladiators
had
weapons…
Christians
did not!!!
Christians were persecuted in the Colosseum for being
unwilling to worship Roman gods and emperors
-many were simply crucified; some were eaten by
lions as fans watched