Transcript ROME

Question of the Day:
• As Greece was declining, Rome grew and
increased its power.
• At the height of its empire Rome:
– Had a population of 50-60 million people (that’s 15%
of the world population at the time).
– Controlled the modern-day countries of Portugal,
Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Greece, Turkey,
Iraq, Morocco, Switzerland, Italy, and more…
• Map of expansion:
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/ca/bo
oks/bkf3/imaps/AC_13_427_romheight/AC_1
3_427_romheight.html
How did this great empire begin?
• Myth: Romulus and Remus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6M
5sFXKRcY
• Reality: men built the city, choosing the
location because of its strategic location
and fertile soil
• Why??
Roman Geography
• Built on seven rolling
hills near the Tiber
River
• Close enough to the
Mediterranean Sea
for commerce and
food, but far enough
away for protection
from invasions
Early Romans
• Three groups lived in early Rome—Greeks,
Latins, and Etruscans
 Latins built the original settlement.
 Greeks established colonies in Sicily and southern Italy
 Etruscans shared their language/writing system and
architectural styles
• In 600 BC, an Etruscan became the king
of Rome.
• Village of Rome becomes a city quickly—
temples, Roman Forum
Rome in Three Phases
• Kingdom
– Rule under Etruscans with a king
• Republic
– Rule by the citizens who chose their leaders
• Empire
– Period of Roman expansion, during which
emperors with complete control ruled
The Roman Republic: 509-264 BC
• In 509, the Romans drove their harsh
king, Tarquin the Proud, out of power.
• A republic is declared—never again did
the Romans want to be ruled by a king.
How did the republic work?
• Romans were divided into two groups
– Plebeians: common farmers, artisans, and
merchants (largest part of population)
– Patricians: wealthy landowners with most of the
power
• Patricians inherited their status, were given the
right to make laws for Rome
• Plebeians could vote, but they couldn’t hold
public office, so they formed an assembly to
protect their rights, elected representatives
called tribunes
The Twelve Tables
• Written law code
• Considered a
Plebeian victory
• Twelve tables, carved
into stone and placed
in the Forum
• Significance:
Established the idea
that all free citizens
had protection under
the law.
Government in the Republic
• Very balanced
• Executive Branch: 2 leaders called consuls
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–
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Commanded the army
Directed the government
1-year term
Could only be reelected 10 years after a term
If one consul made a decision the other didn’t like, they had veto
power
• Legislative Branch: Senate
– 300 members from upper classes of Roman society
• Dictator: In times of crisis, elected for 6 months to lead
– Had absolute power
– Could make laws
– Commanded the army
The Roman Army
•
All citizens (adult, male landowners) required
to serve for a year
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–
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Had to be 20 years old
Want to retire with a pension? Serve 25 years.
Public office seekers had to serve 10 years
•
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Legions: 5000 men led by a legate
Century: 80 men led by a centurion carrying
a short rod to show importance, beat men if
necessary
•
Could march up to 20 miles a day in full
armor
Fought using a spear and shield
Very important in Rome’s expansion
•
•
Ever heard of earning a salary for your work?
The word’s Latin origin is “salarium,” the Roman
soldier’s money used to buy salt to keep his
food fresh.
Spreading Rome’s Power
• First, the Romans conquered Italy by defeating the
Etruscans in the north and the Greeks in the south
• Some conquered people were made citizens, others
were made allies
– Citizens could vote in Roman elections
– Allies had to supply members for the army and could not ally
with Roman enemies
• Because of its strategic location, Rome was able to
trade wine and olive oil for other goods that they
needed
• One city was in their way, though--Carthage
War with Carthage
• 264 BC-146 BC
• Struggle became known as the Punic Wars
– First Punic War: Greeks defeat Carthage
– Second Punic War:
• Carthage has a great general, Hannibal
• Surprised the Romans by attacking through the Alps, had
many victories
• Romans prevented Hannibal from capturing Rome
• Romans find a military match for Hannibal—Scipio
– Attacked Carthage, forcing Hannibal to return home
– Third Punic War: Rome conquers Carthage,
made its citizens 50,000 citizens slaves
• As Rome expands, it will challenge the republic.
• Main issue: unrest within the lower classes of
society.
– Large farms with slaves and equipment vs. small
farms that couldn’t keep up
– Many former-soldiers sold farms and moved to the
city, joining the urban poor
– 1/4th of the population was urban poor
• Two tribunes, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
propose help for the poor, but because the rich
senators didn’t like this, they had the brothers
killed
…CIVIL WAR FOLLOWS…
Caesar’s Rise
• From the urban poor, soldiers are
recruited by generals that could pay them
to fight
• Julius Caesar, a military leader, will join
ranks with Crassus, a wealthy Roman, and
Pompey, a popular general
• 59 BC: Caesar elected consul
• 59-69 BC: Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey
ruled as a triumvirate.
So…what do we know about Caesar?
• Could trace his lineage to Romulus, the
first king of Rome
• Had several affairs, including one with
Cleopatra of Egypt
• He had a son with Cleopatra—
Caesarian—though he wasn’t officially
acknowledged.
• Was a brilliant military strategist
How did Caesar rule?
Rise to power…
Reforms…
• Ruled as consul for one year,
• Ruled as an absolute
in accordance with Roman law
ruler
• Appointed himself governor of
• Granted Roman
Gaul, led many military
citizenship to all
campaigns, and returned to
Rome in 46 BC with the
provinces
support of the army and the
• Created jobs through
masses
public building projects
• The senate appointed
• Increased soldier
him dictator in 46 BC and
salaries
named him dictator for
LIFE in 44 BC
Caesar’s Assassination
• Many feared his rule and power
• March 15, 44 BC
– Senators, led by Marcus Brutus and Gaius
Cassus, stabbed him to death in the senate
• Video Clip:
http://www.history.com/topics/ancienthistory/julius-caesar/videos
Another Civil War…
• After Caesar’s death, civil war broke out again
• A second triumvirate ruled briefly, but was
corrupt
– Leaders: Octavian (Caesar’s grandnephew), Lepidus,
and Mark Antony
– Eventually, Lepidus retires and Mark Antony runs off
to Egypt with his mistress, Cleopatra (the two
eventually commit suicide after a naval defeat…)
– http://www.history.com/topics/ancienthistory/cleopatra
Octavian’s Rule
• Octavian becomes the undisputed ruler
of Rome
• Takes the name Augustus, which means
“exalted one”
• The empire flourished during a time
known as Pax Romana—”Roman Peace”
– Strong government
– Strong economy
– Roads to link the empire