Ancient Rome & Early Christianity 600 BC to 500 AD

1. Ancient Rome & Early Christianity600 BC to 500 AD

2. I. Legendary beginnings… • Romulus & Remus, twins raised by a “she-wolf,” are legendary founders of Rome

3. Cast bronze statue of suckling twins: sons of Mars Capitoline Museum, Rome

4. II. Geography • Apennine Mts did not divide Italy into many small isolated communities (as in Greece) • Being located near the ocean and on the Tiber River gave easy access to the Mediterranean Sea. • More arable land, mild climate • larger population

5. II. Geography • Italy is located in the midpoint of the Mediterranean Sea. The Romans could send out ships for trade and war in all directions. • In addition, Rome’s central location between North and South allowed for Rome to govern its Empire easily once it began to expand.

6. map

7. Rome was built… • Along the Tiber River • On 7 hills w/ fertile soil • 18 miles inland from the Med. Sea • Near center of Italian peninsula

9. “Not without reason did gods and men choose this sport for the site of our city—the salubrious hills, the river to bring us produce from the inland regions and sea-borne commerce from abroad, the sea itself, near enough for convenience yet not so near as to bring danger from foreign fleets, out situation in the very heart of Italy—all these advantages make it of all places in the world the best for a city destined to grow great.” --Livy

10. III. Foreign Influences on Rome’s beginnings…

11. III. Latins • Farmer and shepherds who wandered into Italy • They built the first settlement in Rome • Eventually bring all of Italy into close contact with the Greeks

12. III. Greek Influences • 750 – 500 BC, Greeks colonized southern Italy • Olives • Grapes • Religion (myths & legends) • Same personalities; different names • Commercial centers

13. Hera’s temple at Paestum in southern Italy

14. III. Etruscan Influences • Alphabet, architecture (especially the use of the arch), metal working, pottery • Early kings of Rome were Etruscan

15. Etruscan pottery4th century BC

16. Bell Ringer • Based on what you know about forms of government, what are the differences between a Democracy and Republic form of government?

17. IV. Rome becomes a republic • Republic established 509 BC • when last Etruscan king was overthrown in 509 BC • Tarquin The Proud • Romans voweled to never be ruled by a king again • Republic is born

18. Republic -- Split Society • Rome was divided into Patricians (Upper class aristocratic land owners) and Plebeians (lower class –merchants, farmers, artisans, common people)

19. Early Republican Virtues • Conservative • Reverence for tradition • Reverence for home, ancestors, gods

20. Governmental Organization • The government was made up of 3 branches (Executive, Legislative & Judicial) • Executive – 2 consuls • Elected by assembly, 1 year terms • Leaders of government & Military

21. Government Organization • Legislative • The Senate (300 members), aristocratic landowners. Controlled public funds and foreign policy. • CenturianAssembly (citizen soldiers appointed consuls and made laws • Tribal Assembly elected Tribunes (representatives of the Plebeians) and made laws for the common people.

22. Government organization cont… • The Judicial Branch- Made up of Praetors (judges) that were in charge of the courts and enforcing laws. • The Laws of the Romans were called the 12 Tablesplaced in the forum, and the later the Law of Nations were introduced and added to Roman law.

23. During War & Crisis • In addition, a dictator may be put in place in times of war or crisis. The Dictator would have total control of the military and declare martial law. • He would rule for a 6th month period.

24. Rome’s Mighty Military • The Legion: a unit of 4,000-5,000 Roman soldiers usually supported by a cavalry (solders mounted on horses). • The Legion was made up of smaller groups called a century. A century had about 80 men in it. The strength of the legion was its flexibility. Each century could break away and act independently of the group. • All landowners and public office holders were required to serve in the army.

25. Roman Expansion • By 265 BCE the Romans had conquered all of Italy and began to expand out from there. • For the next 500 years they would continue to expand their empirethat will include most of western Europe, Greece, Northern African, and Asia Minor

26. Bell Ringer • Read Pages 144-146 • Vocabulary (Pg. 144-147) • Hannibal (Long Form ID) • Scipio (Long Form ID)

27. V. Punic Wars 264 – 133 BC • Carthage, center of Phoenician (Punic) trading empire • Commercial threat to Rome • Control of Sicily main issue • Three major wars, Rome won all

28. Carthage was located near Tunis

29. Punic Wars – part 1 • Following a naval battle… • Carthage gave Sicily to Rome & paid huge fine • Carthage annexed Spain…

30. Punic Wars – part 2 • Hannibal took an army w/ war elephants to Italy … for 17 yrs • Rome won by attacking Carthage • Gained Spain as a spoil of war

32. Hannibal Barca, General of Carthage • Defeated at Battle of Zama • Commits Suicide (183 BCE) in Turkey

33. Scipio Africanus • Hero of Punic Wars • Defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama

34. Punic Wars – part 3 • Carthage destroyed in 146 BC • Became province of Africa • Population sold into slavery • City burned to the ground

35. Carthage: ruins of the acropolis

36. VI. By 133 BC Rome was master of Mediterranean • Macedonia & the Greek states were annexed • Kingdom of Pergamum was deeded to Rome

37. Reasons for Rome’s success • Powerful armies were loyal to Rome, not a dictator (nationalism) • Wise treatment of conquered peoples • Ability to move troops quickly

38. … the results of Rome’s success • #1 Slavery increased • Plantation system developed • Farmers (many former soldiers) could not compete with slave labor of plantations • Farmers sold their lands

39. … the results of Rome’s success • #2 Farmers moved to cities • Became urban poor • Filled ranks of unemployed • Discontentment and resentment plant the seeds of the republic’s collapse

40. VII. Emergence of the Empire(133 BC – 180 AD)

41. Problems leading to the collapse of the Roman Republic #1 Poor farmers lost their lands… *Gracchus brothers’ attempted land reform (p.146) #2 Senate became all powerful #3 Generals involved in politics… * led to civil wars (p. 147)

42. Civil War in Rome Sets New Precedents. • Soldiers swore personal loyalty to generals in return for lands… 2. Armies fought over Rome, gave power to the commanders

43. The First Triumvirate • Crassus, Pompey & Julius Caesar gained military command of the empire in 60 BC, dominating Rome for ten years …

44. Factors leading to Second Civil War • Crassus killed in battle in Syria • Senate feared Caesar’s power • Appointed Pompey leader • Ordered Caesar to give up his legions…

45. Pompey the Great • Caesar’s main rival in the civil wars

46. Caesar crosses the Rubicon (49 BC)! • Refused order to disband army • Crossed Rubicon R. • Marched on Rome • Civil war erupted • Pompey defeated, killed

47. Julius Caesar • Appointed Dictator of Rome in 46 BC • Copy of portrait bust

48. Julius Caesar wins the civil war • 44 BC – named dictator for life • Reforms: • Created jobs • Started colonies • Expanded senate • Granted citizenship to provincials

49. Julius Caesar Killed by Senators March 15, 44BC Vatican Museum

50. Caesar’s Tomb