Download - 6 th Grade World History. Essential Question: Why did Rome become successful? Rome’s Beginnings
The Rise of Rome
6th Grade World History
Essential Question:
Why did Rome become successful?
Rome’s Beginnings
Italy is located in the Mediterranean region Italy is cut off from Europe by the Alps
Not as rugged as mountains in Greece and much easier to cross
Italy is more unified than Greek city states Better farmland than Greece
Geography of Italy
15 miles up the Tiber River and from the
Mediterranean Sea Source of water Connected to the Mediterranean world
Built on seven hills Easy to defend against enemy attacks
Geography of Rome
Two different legends describe how Rome
began Romulus and Remus Aeneid
1,000 B.C.E.: Latins lived on Rome’s hills Tended herds and grew crops 700-800B.C.E. – banded together for
protection
Origins of Rome
Greeks
Romans learned to grow olives and grapes from the Greeks
Adopted the Greek alphabet Modeled architecture, sculpture and literature after the
Greeks Etruscans
Skilled metal workers Changed Rome from straw-roofed huts to a city with
wood and brick buildings, temples and public squares Influenced Roman dress Etruscan army served as a model for Roman army
Early Influences
Romans overthrew cruel ruling family, the
Tarquins Set up a republic
Leader is put in office by citizens who have the right to vote
Rome conquered all of Italy
The Birth of a Republic
Excellent soldiers
Every male citizens who owned land Deserters punished by death Organized into small groups called legions
who could cut through enemy lines
Why Was Rome So Strong?
Built permanent military settlements in areas
they conquered Build roads between towns
Roman Confederation Gave full citizenship to most conquered
people Gave other conquered people the status of
ally Quickly put down any resistance
Shrewd Rulers
1. How was Rome able to control the territories they conquered?
2. How did geography determine Rome’s location?
3. Answer the Essential Question: Why did Rome become so successful?
Making Connections
Essential Question:
What differences existed between the early Roman social classes?
The Roman Republic
Patricians
Wealthy land owners Ruling class Could hold public office
Plebians Artisans and shopkeepers Owners of small farms
Both were considered Roman citizens Right to vote, pay taxes, serve in army Intermarriage is forbidden
Early Roman Social Classes
Three part government Consuls
Two chosen each year Patricians Headed army Ran government Served short terms Could veto the other’s decision
Rome’s Government
Praetors
Interpret the law Act as judges in court
The Senate Law making body 300 patrician men Served for life Proposed laws Held debates Approved building programs
Rome’s Government
****Eventually the plebians rebelled and set
up the Council of the Plebs. This gradually gained the right to make laws for all Romans. They allowed all Roman citizens to hold public office and allowed intermarriage.****
Rome’s Government
Dictators in Rome held complete power on a
temporary basis during emergencies Appointed by the Senate
Cincinnatus Famous early Roman dictator Helped Rome defeat a powerful army Returned to farming his fields only days
later
Roman Dictators
Twelve Tables
Basis for all future Roman laws Established principle that all free citizens had the
right to be treated equally by the legal system Only applied to Roman citizens
Law of Nations Principles of justice applied to all people
everywhere Innocent until proven guilty Right to defend yourself before a judge
Basis of the American legal system
Roman Law
First Punic War
Fought between Carthage and Rome for control of Sicily Rome built a navy and defeats Carthage 20 years later
Second Punic War Fought between Carthage and Rome to remove
Carthage from Spain Carthage sent Hannibal to defeat Rome with 46,000
men, 37 elephants and horses Hannibal crossed the Alps and attacked Italy but was
defeated Rome slowly destroyed the Carthaginian Empire and took
control of the entire Mediterranean region
Rome Expands
Why do you think the legacy of Roman law is
considered so important?
Answer the Essential Question: What differences existed between the early Roman social classes?
Making Connections
Essential Question:
What problems did the Roman Empire face before the take-over of Julius Caesar?
The Fall of the Republic
Rome’s armies were very successful At home
Dishonest officials stole money and came to power “bread and circuses”
Farmers faced ruin Could not compete with wealthy Romans who created
large estates Cities were becoming overcrowded and dishonest
People could not find jobs because enslaved workers were popular
Roman army became corrupt Growing gap between the rich and the poor Rival armies resulted in civil war for the next 50 years
Trouble in the Republic
60 B.C.E. – Three men decided to rule Rome together
with separate military commands Julius Caesar: Gaul Pompey: Spain Crassus: Syria: killed in battle
Fearing Julius Caesar was too powerful, the Senate asked Pompey to return to Rome to rule alone
Caesar, the better general, marched into Rome and seized power in 48 B.C.E.
Julius Caesar
Had himself declared dictator Filled the Senate with people loyal to him Became popular with the poor
Granted citizenship to more conquered people Created work for jobless people Ordered landowners to hire more free workers
Caesar was popular with many but others thought he wanted too much power Assassinated on March 15th in 44 B.C.E. Rome plunged into civil war
Caesar’s Rise to Power
Caesar’s grandnephew, Octavian, and one of
his top generals, Marc Antony, divided the Roman world Octavian: West Antony: East
Antony’s relationship with Egyptian Queen Cleopatra made western Rome nervous that Antony wanted full power Octavian declared war and defeated Antony
and Cleopatra
Rome Becomes an Empire
Using the influence of writer Cicero, Octavian
gave much power back to the Senate but earned the title, “emperor.”
Changed his name to Augustus
Augustus
What was the “bread and circuses” policy and how
did Roman politicians benefit?
What reforms did Caesar put in place that increased his popularity with the poor and working class Romans?
Answer the Essential Question: What problems did the Roman Republic face before the take-over of Julius Caesar?
Making Connections
Essential Question:
What characterized the Pax Romana?
The Early Empire
Paved the way for 200 years of peace and prosperity Pax Romana: “Roman Peace”
Professional army that conquered new territories
Supported the arts Imported grain from Africa to feed the poor Improved the government Appointed governors to rule each of Rome’s
provinces
The Emperor Augustus
Tiberius
Great military leader and kept Rome’s economy stable
Caligula Suffered from mental illness
Claudius Built new aqueduct for Rome and conquered
most of Britain Nero
Had people murdered, gave slaves right to file complaints and committed suicide
Who Came After Augustus?
A series of five “good emperors” helped Rome
to grow Programs for the poor Common currency Roads and bridges Aqueducts Ports (traders came from all over)
Roman law unified an empire of 3.5 million square miles
Unity and Prosperity
Why would the creation of a common currency
be important?
Answer the Essential Question: What characterized the Pax Romana?
Making Connections