Transcript CLASSICAL civilization in the mediterranean

ROME
509 BCE – 476 CE
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The Roman empire ruled large parts of Europe,
North Africa and the Middle-East for hundreds
of years. This made it very influential to the
cultures/societies of these places.
Roman developments in government – having
a written constitution and clear laws that
protect people’s rights, representative
government; having a government that
balances power between different
people/groups have a big influence on our
government
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Romans believed their citystate was found in 753 BCE
(pictured being fed by a
wolf)
In truth, the ancestors of
the Romans were IndoEuropean nomads know at
LATINS that settled the
area around 2000 BCE
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The Romans shared Italy with
other people like Greeks and
Etruscans.
The Romans borrowed a lot of
ideas and technologies from the
Etruscans & Greeks.
The Etruscans were Originally
from Anatolia
Colonized Roman regions in 9th
or 8th c.
Society declines late 6th c. BCE
due to
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Greek maritime attacks
Celtic invasions from north
Absorbed by Romans
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How did the Etruscans influence Rome’s
development?
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Romans probably learned about monarchy from them.
Etruscans ruled Rome for a while and helped the
development of city – engineering to drain wetlands
around city, how to build arches, walls, roads,
administration
Brought in trade
Arts – Taught Romans sculpture, terracotta, jewelry,
pottery
Religion – Romans borrowed some gods and religious
practices
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Monarchy through 7th6th c. BCE under
Etruscans
Major center of trade
routes made it
increasingly wealthy &
important.
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In 509 BCE the Romans overthrow the last Etruscan
king & created an aristocratic republic.
The Senate was created (like our Senate/Congress) to
make laws for the republic
Only patricians (upper-class aristocrats with lots of
land) could be in it.
They elected 2 consuls every year to lead the city (like
our president)
By having two and only letting them serve for 1 year
they hoped to prevent consuls from getting too much
power & becoming like kings.
Senate could also appoint DICTATORS with complete
control of government for 6 month during
emergencies.
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Like in Athens, as the city grew, regular
people like artisans, merchants, and
farmers also wanted a say in the
government.
To prevent riots by these PLEBEIANS
(average citizens) The PATRICIANS
started making the government more
democratic. IN 450 BCE they published
all the laws in the Twelve Tables so
people would know their rights
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IN the 4th century BCE, the plebeians
gained the right to elect TRIBUNES
that represented them in the
government and could VETO, or
block, laws passed by the senate.
Eventually, plebeians could also be
voted consuls.
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Dominated and conquered Etruscan and Greek
city-states through war and diplomacy (alliances)
By 270 BCE they controlled most of the Italian
Peninsula
Expansion via military threat and incentives
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Conquered areas treated justly
If people accepted Roman rule, paid taxes, and
supplied soldiers, they could keep their customs and
local laws
Eventually could become citizens equal to Romans
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After conquering Italy, Rome came into more
contact with Carthaginian Empire.
Carthage was a city-state in North Africa started
by Phoenician traders. They controlled many cities
in north Africa, Spain, and Sicily.
Rome and Carthage fight 3 major wars between
264-164 BCE – The PUNIC WARS.
Mostly fighting over territory like Sicily that
provide grain for food.
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Led by Hannibal who invades Rome during
the 2nd Punic War, Carthage almost wins.
Rome eventually comes back and destroys
Carthage and sells its people into slavery
Later conquers Greece.
Rome dominates Mediterranean by middle of
150 BCE
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The Expansion of the Roman Empire, 133 B.C.E.
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