Transcript Origins of Rome

Rome:
The Beginning
Background: Alexander’s Crumbling Empire
By 150 C.E. the Hellenistic world in decline
Rome growing and gaining strength
Rome profoundly impacted by these cultural influences
A Roman Tradition: Romulus and Remus
• As you listen to the Legend of Romulus and Remus, list
TWO facts from the story and TWO fictional pieces of
information.
• Why do you think the myth of the twins was so
appealing to believe?
The Geography of an Empire
With a partner, list THREE reasons why Rome is in a
strategic location
Livy “The Early History of Rome”
As you read, consider: Why was Rome’s geography so
important?
“Not without reason did gods and men choose this spot
for the site of our city – the 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, our 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.” (29 B.C.E)
The Roman Republic: Goals
To explain the main
institutions of the Roman
Republic
To describe how the
Punic Wars helped
increase Rome’s power
Hannibal
The First Romans
Etruscan King of Rome
(600 B.C.E)
Accomplishments:
Turns villages into a city
1st temples & public
centers
Forum: Heart of Roman
political life
Forum: “A medium of open
discussion. A public
assembly involving an
audience or panel
discussion”
The Roman Republic:
2 Consuls
(Rulers of Rome)
Senate
(Representative body for patricians)
Tribune
(Representative body for plebeians)
The Twelve Tables
Why is a written code of law important to this or any
civilization?
The Twelve Tablets: 451 B.C.E.
Hung in the Roman Forum
Form the basis for Roman law
The tablets outline political and social
rights for the plebeians
They establish the idea that all free citizens had a
right to the protection of the law
Expansion: The Mediterranean
Romans recognize key to expansion is control of
the Mediterranean Sea
To gain this control, the Romans must defeat the
Carthaginians and take Sicily
Round 2: Hannibal Invades Rome
Hannibal: Carthaginian General - brilliant military
strategist who devises a surprise attack on Rome
Roman General, Scipio, attacks and forces
Hannibal back to Carthage
Victory gives Romans control of the Mediterranean
Sea
The Punic Wars
Expansion through Conquest
4th Century Romans dominated central Italy
Eventually defeat Etruscans and Greeks
By 265 B.C. Romans masters of all Italy and want to
expand rule
Neighboring Latins became full citizens, other
conquered people enjoyed citizenship but not the
vote, and others became allies of Rome
Expansion through Trade
Good access to the Mediterranean
Traded Roman wine and olive oil for food, raw
materials, and manufactured goods
Often interfered by other powerful cities such as
Carthage
Causes/Events Leading to
Key Events & Figures
Results/Significance
1st Punic War
(264 - 241 B.C.)
-Desire to control Sicily and the western
Mediterranean
2nd Punic War
(218 – 202
B.C.)
-Hannibal wanted to avenge Carthage’s
earlier defeat
-Assembled huge army with
elephants and cavalry to go
through Spain across France
and the Alps
-216 B.C. Battle of Cannae
was biggest victory for
Hannibal
-Romans stopped Hannibal
from entering Rome
-Roman general Scipio
attacked Carthage forcing
Hannibal to return home
-In 202 B.C. Hannibal
defeated by Romans near
Zama.
-Ended with the defeat of
Carthage
3rd Punic War
(149 – 146
B.C.)
-Rome laid siege to Carthage
In 146 B.C. the city was set
on fire and it’s inhabitants
sold into slavery
-Territory made a Roman
province
-Gave Rome dominance over
the Western Mediterranean
-Ended with the defeat of
Carthage