Ancient Rome SOL WHI.6 Blank Map of Italian Peninsula.

Ancient RomeSOL WHI.6

Blank Map of Italian Peninsula

The Geography of Rome

#1. Based on location alone, how would Rome’s location be beneficial?

Location• Located on the Italian Peninsula.

o Created a crossroads for trade, cultural exchange, and conquest in the Mediterranean basin.

o Definition of a peninsula: a piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water.

• The Alps provided Italy with protection, as did the seas surrounding the Italian Peninsula.

Italian Peninsula

The Geography of Rome

• Italians built their cities on the hill. #2 WHY?

• Two major mountain ranges, the Alps and the Apennines. IMPORTANCE?

• Some of Italy’s mountains were volcanic. Their eruptions could devastate Roman towns. (Foreshadowing)

• They also built cities near rivers for a source of fresh water. Rome lies on the Tiber River.

• Rome had a mild climate that led to a plentiful food supply and the city’s early growth.

Seven Hills of Rome

The Etruscans (video)• Mystery – their origins are lost to prehistory• Lived north of Rome

– Region today called “Tuscany” after them (ancient Etruria)– Enemies of the Romans

• Taught the Romans:– Arch in architecture – drainage and sewer-building– phalanx military formation– Alphabet which was taught to the Etruscans by the Greeks.

#3 Why are myths and legends created?

#4 Why do you think the she-wolf was widely accepted as the one who took care of the boys straight out of

the water instead of the Sheppard’s wife?

Religion and Mythology• Religion was polytheistic.

oReligion was part of Rome’s culture, politics, and art.

• Roman gods and goddesses were based on Greek mythology and other religions.

• Roman gods Greek Name Role• Jupiter Zeus King of

gods• Juno Hera Queen of gods• Neptune Poseidon God of Seas• Mars Ares God of War• Venus Aphrodite God of Love• Mercury Hermes Messenger• Manerva Athena God of Wisdom

Jupiter

Juno

Neptune

Venus

• Romans also deified some emperors during the Age of Empires.oDeified – gave “godlike” status to

emperors.

#5. Why do you think people believed some of their leaders were gods?

Social Structure of Ancient Rome• The Roman Republic contained 3 social

classes: patricians, plebians, and slaves.• Patricians – wealthy (few in number).• Plebians – majority of population

consisting of landowners, townspeople, merchants, and farmers.

• Slaves – people forced into servant class by conquest

• Citizenship – was held by all patricians and plebeians and extended to a few aliens as a privilege.oCitizens had rights not extended to slaves and

non-Romans.o All citizens:

• vote • pay taxes • serve in the military.

Republic – Representative Democracy

Government –509 BCE• Consuls – at the top of government.

o2 people elected by the Assembly each year.oServed one year terms.oCould veto (reject) decisions by the

Assembly.oRan the government.

#6. What would the U.S. equivalent (the same/equal) be of Consul?

President of U.S. enforces laws

• How many people serve as president of the U.S. at one time?

• How long is a president’s term?• How many terms can a president serve?

Representation• Rome was a representative

democracy known as a Republic.

• Two bodies made up the representative branch of government – The Assembly and Senate.

• Senate – made up of patricians and controlled the finances and foreign affairs of Rome.

• Assembly – made laws for Romeo Tribunes – part of the assembly that was

made up plebeians.oRepresented tribes (localities) of Rome.oCould veto actions of Senate and Consuls.o Later they gained the rights to make laws.

• The Republic became increasingly more and more democratic as plebeians gained rights and power.

• The Twelve Tables – First written set of Roman laws (451 BCE).oDefined laws and gave plebeians more

rights.

Constitution of U.S. – Our written laws

R o m an R ep u b lic G ove rnm e nt

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M a d e la ws

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Roman Republic Government

Video Clip: The Senate and the People of RomeQuestions #7 and #8

Punic Wars• Rome fought Carthage in 3 wars that

lasted over 100 years, to determine the supremacy (#9) of the Mediterranean world.

Intro Video

• #10 Who controlled most of Sicily by 264 BC?

1st Punic War• Carthaginians had taken control of Sicily,

Corsica, and Sardinia.

• Romans marched south to defeat Carthaginians.

• Romans won and gained the three islands.

2nd Punic WarHannibal, Carthaginian general,

commanded a mixed army of North Africans and Europeans against Rome.

218 BCE – led troops with elephants across Pyrenees Mountains of Spain, through France, and over the Alps of Italy into northern Italy◦ Trek took 15 years – arrived with

most of his men and most of the elephants.

◦ Roman army had expected a southern invasion.

Hannibal Song Video

• Hannibal got to Rome but never defeated the city of Rome.

• Rome counter-attacked the city of Carthage.oHannibal left Italy to defend Carthage and

was defeated outside of Carthage.

• Carthage gave up all land except in Africa.oRome now ruled most of the Mediterranean.

• Hannibal was later tracked down and committed suicide.

2nd Punic War Map

3rd Punic War• Rome was still angry from the 2nd Punic

War and Carthage was mounting forces for an attack of Rome.

• Rome attacked Carthage first and completely destroyed the city.

Results of the Punic Wars• Romans destroyed its major political and

economic competitor.• Roman culture would now follow conquest.• Now Rome dominated the Mediterranean.• Rome developed its navy.• Romans would remain unchallenged and

conquered Western Europe.

Changes to Rome after the Punic Wars

• Large landowners began to use more slaves.oCaused small farmers to lose their lands

and move to cities.o As cities grew, these people were unable

to find work.• The Middle Class (plebeians)

demanded more rights.• Rome entered into a time of civil war for

100 years.o Slave and plebeians uprising.

Julius Caesar

• Julius Caesar began as a leader of the Roman Army.o Popular for his military conquest.

• 60 BCE Caesar joined with Pompey (military hero) and Crassus (the richest man in Rome) to form the First Triumvirate.

Julius Caesar

Pompey

• Together they ruled Rome, but jealousies soon turned them against each other.

• Caesar turned his army towards Rome and crushed Pompey and the Senate.o “Veni, Vidi, Vici” – I came, I saw, I

conquered.

• Caesar then made himself dictator for life.

Causes for fall of Roman Republic and Rise of Roman

Empire

• Spread of slavery.

• Unemployment of small farmers in cities.

• Civil war with Caesar gaining power.

Caesar’s Reforms• Maintained the Senate but Caesar had the

real power.o Packed the Senate with his followers.

• Public works of Rome (roads, aqueducts, buildings) to employ the poor.

• Public land to the poor.• Extended citizenship to conquered people.• Julian Calendar – based on Egyptian

calendar and used for 1600 years.

Ides of March• Senate grew more fearful of Caesar’s power.• March 15, 44 BCE – “Beware of the Ides of March!”• Caesar was murdered by members of the Senate.• Rome broke out into a new civil war.

Julius Caesar Video

“The Roman Empire. Or Republic. Or Which is

it?”• http://videopediaworld.com/video/17886/Ancient-Civiliz

ations-Rise-of-the-Roman-Empire

End of the Republic• After Caesar died

oHis 18 year old grandnephew Octavian joined forces with Marc Antony (Caesar’s general) and Marcus Lepidus

• Second triumvirate defeated Caesar’s assassins in 42BCE

Octavian

Antony

Lepidus