Transcript Roman History – A Brief Review

Roman History – A Brief Review
Origins of Rome --- 753 BC
Rise of the Republic --- 509 BC
Shift to Empire --- 44 BC to 31 BC
Roman Empire --- 31 BC – AD 476
Early History
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The foundation myth – Romulus &
Remus, the seven hills
The Etruscans; tribal villages on the
Italian Peninsula
Influence of Greek immigrants in Sicily
and the southern portion of Italy
Phoenician Traders est. city in North
Africa called Carthage
Rise of the Republic
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Cincinnatus – 509 BC
SPQR – Senatus Publius Quo Romanus
City of Rome evolves: Romans take
over the peninsula
Role of Farmer-soldiers
Republic Government – 2 Consuls,
elaborate system of gov’t officials
The Punic Wars 264-146 BC
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Romans control Italian Peninsula
Begin fighting for control of key islands,
Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica against Carthage
(larger & older empire centered in North
Africa)
Series of 3 wars. Rome defeats Carthage
Sets stage for Rome to control the
Mediterranean Sea
Importance of maintaining a large army yearround; professionalized army & soldiers
The Punic Wars -- Results
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Professionalized army
Need for strategic military commanders to
maintain dominance of expanding lands.
Ex. Scipio needed to defeat Hannibal
More tax $ and wealth needed to maintain
army and soldiers
Rome is slowly expanding around the
Mediterranean
The Punic Wars -- Results
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Soldiers need retirement funds and lands
Rise of the military commanders who will
look after their men = more success for
commander = better legions
Powerful military leaders arise: Marius, Sulla,
Crassus, Pompey, Caesar
Power shift from loyalty to the state to loyalty
to one’s commander
Powerful Generals use this to their
advantage
The Rise of the Dictator
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Julius Caesar: a) uses propaganda of his military
successes in Gaul to influence the Roman people.
b) Recognizes the importance of loyalty from the
soldiers
Caesar defeats other key Roman commanders
(Pompey, Crassus) in civil wars, declares himself
“Dictator for Life” 49 BC
Assassinated in 44 BC…another civil war breaks out
Mark Antony and Cleopatra vs. Octavian 31 BC
Ultimate winner = Octavian, who becomes the first
Emperor of Rome. Takes the title “Augustus”
The Roman Empire 31BC-AD476
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Pax Romana = “Roman Peace”; the reign of
Augustus solidifies the Empire.
Augustus dies AD 14
Biblical times in the Middle East. Rise of
Christianity. Birth of Christ, etc.
Rome prosperous….ruled by successful
emperors. Empire continues to expand under
Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero,
Vespasian, Titus, etc.
The Roman Empire
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Empire at it’s height at the time of
Marcus Aurelius – AD 161-180
Beginning with Commodus: slow
decline. Less capable emperors,
assassination plots, etc. etc.
Highlights include: reigns of Diocletian,
Constantine.
Empire splits in half: East centered in
Constantinople, west in Rome
The Downfall AD 300s-400s
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Series of weak emperors
Empire too large to manage
Borders always being pushed on by
“barbarians”, Gauls, Huns, Vandals, Slavs,
Visigoths
Taxes continually increase
Rome runs out of resources: coinage diluted,
farming stretched, road systems, aquaducts,
cities too expensive to maintain.