Transcript Chapter 7 – THE ROMANS Lesson 1 – The Rise of Rome p. 126

Chapter 7 – THE ROMANS
Lesson 1 – The Rise of Rome p. 126-132
Impact of Geography on rise of
Rome
In general, Italy’s mountains were not
rugged & did not divide the peninsula; also
there are large fertile plains ideal for
farming on a large scale.
 Location of city of Rome – inland on the
Tiber River it had a route to the sea but
was far enough inland to protect it from
sea attacks. It was centrally located in Italy
& was good location for seat of gov’t.

GEOGRAPHY continued…

UNITY supported by the fact that there were no geographic
barriers so most spoke same language & had same lifestyle.

DEFENSE of Rome was easier due to the location of the city
on several hills; giving a visual advantage for oncoming attacks.
TRADE was facilitated by the Tiber River & Rome’s central
location.
 *Around 800 BC outsiders settled in Italy – the

groups that had the most significant affect on
Italian culture were the GREEKS and
ETRUSCANS. From the Greeks they took &
adapted the alphabet; from the Estrscans they
took the toga & cloak & ideas about military
organization.
The Roman Republic
When the Romans overthrew the last Etruscan
King they established a REPUBLIC – a gov.
form where the leader is not a monarch &
some citizens had the right to vote.
 Rome then plunged into almost 200 yrs. Of
continual warfare which they won, including a
defeat of the Greeks, conquering virtually all of
Italy.
 Maintaining control over such a large empire
required a supportive culture & political
structure.

Successful Strategies

Roman Culture – duty, courage & discipline
had long held importance in Roman culture;
Romans were diplomatic as well – meaning
they allowed those they conquered who
were cooperative to eventually have Roman
citizenship; but they also cruelly crushed
rebellions as they occurred; they had an
accomplished & persistent military that never
quit & they were skilled strategists building
roads to connect new territories to
strengthen their ability to rule & control.
Roman Political Structure
Initially the Romans distrusted rule by a
Monarch & so they devised a different system of
government based on 2 groups or ORDERS…
 PATRICIANS – wealthy landowners who
became the ruling class; and
 PLEBIANS – less wealthy landowners,
craftspeople, merchants & farmers.
 Males in BOTH orders were citizens, paid
taxes, served in the military & could vote…
BUT… only Patricians could be elected to
governmental office.

The Orders & Roman Law



ROMAN LAW – Chief executive officers of the
Roman Republic were the CONSULS (chosen
yearly; ran the gov. & military) & the PRAETORS
(in charge of civil laws that governed the citizens of
Rome).
ROMAN SENATE – Select group of about 300
patricians who advised gov. Officials initially but
eventually their decisions became the law of Rome.
People’s Assemblies – additional groups who
held political power but the most powerful groups
were always dominated by the wealthy which led
the orders of Rome to struggle…
Struggle of the orders…
In the days of early Rome the PATRICIANS &
PLEBEIANS were often in conflict Their
children could not intermarry – this angered
the Plebeians most as they wanted social (&
political) equality.
 Over centuries these differences lingered but
eventually the Council of the Plebs brought
them more power & social equality, however
 The Patrician class formed their own groups
that dominated political office. So Roman
democracy was just a illusion…

Roman Law


Rome’s first code of laws was the Twelve
Tables - & that led to a more sophisticated
system of civil laws (laws that applied only to
Roman citizens).
The Law of Nations covered those who
were not citizens initially, but ultimately
these standards of justice applied to all:
◦ INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY;
DEFENSE BEFORE A JUDGE WHO WEIGHED
EVIDENCE BEFORE ARRIVING AT A
VERDICT.
Roman Expansion

The North African empire of Carthage was a
threat to the early Roman Empire & 3 wars
were fought against the Carthaginians called
the PUNIC WARS; Rome battled Carthage
(under Hannibal’s leadership) eventually
winning back Sicily, Spain & Carthage’s capital
in N. Africa. Rome also battled & defeated
Greek (Hellenistic) states & became master
of the entire Mediterranean Sea. The
next big threat to Rome’s strength
would come from within!
Roman Expansion
Punic Wars (animated) 9 mins
 Punic Wars - History channel 10 mins
 Elephants BBC 3 mins
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