ROMAN EMPIRE

Roman Origins

According to legend, founded in 753 B.C. by Romulus and Remus on the Tiber River• Near center of Italian Peninsula, Midpoint of

Mediterranean SeaFirst Romans• Latins• Greeks• Etruscans

Mediterranean Sea

ROME

Early Roman Republic

600 BC, an Etruscan becomes king of Rome. Monarchy lasts until 509 BC

1. Rome grows2. Construction of the Forum3. Last king, Tarquin the Proud, driven from

power in 509 BC4. Romans rejected monarchy & established a

Republic

A. Republic is a form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders.

B. Citizenship granted only to free-born, male citizens.

Republic

Res Publica “The Republic”

PATRICIANS (nobles)

PLEBIANS (ordinary people)

COMITIAAssembly of

elected citizens

• CONSULSTwo heads of state & army

• PRAETORSChief judges

• TRIBUNESLooked after the interest of the

plebeians

DICTATORHeld power in

times of trouble

SENATEAdvisory body

for consuls

Rome’s Power Spreads

Rome conquers Italya. 4th Century BC, Romans dominated central

Italyb.By 265 BC, controlled nearly all of Italyc. Different laws and treatment for different

peoples- Lenient policies allowed Rome to build a long- lasting, large empire.

Rome’s Commercial Network

a. Location gave Rome easy access to trade with lands around Mediterranean.

b. Moved by land and seac. Traded Roman wine and olive oil for other

foods, raw materials, and manufactured goods.

Punic Wars

Causes •Competition b/w Rome & Carthage over trade in the Mediterranean•Carthage & Rome both tried to dominate

Events •Rome & Carthage fight over Sicily•Hannibal tries to attack Rome coming over the Alps w/ elephants (fails)•Rome destroys Carthage in revenge

Effects•Rome became dominant in power/grew•Trade flourish/great wealth•War captives became slaves/cheap labor•Small farmers lose their jobs

The Roman Empire Begins

The Republic Collapses Growing discontent among the lower classes Breakdown in military order (more loyalty to

generals than to Rome itself)

Julius Caesar

Strong leader, genius at military strategyCaesar elected consul in 59 BCCaesar, Crassus, and Pompey formed the 1st

Triumvirate for next 10 years.Conquered Gaul (France)Caesar marched his troops back to Rome,

Pompey fledSenate appointed him dictatorIn 44 BC, made dictator for life.

Julius Caesar

Reforms Granted Roman citizenship to many people in the

provincesExpanded the SenateHelped the poor by creating jobsNew public buildingsCreated new colonies where people could own

landIncreased pay for soldiers. Assassinated in 44 BC by Senators who were

afraid of his power, success, and popularity.

2nd Triumvirate

Octavian (Caesar’s grandnephew and adopted son), Marc Antony, Lepidus, banded together to defeat Caesar’s assassins.

Octavian forces Lepidus to retireAntony allies with Cleopatra of Egypt (Antony

was already married to Octavian’s sister, Octavia.)

Antony’s forces met Octavian’s forces at Battle of Actium in 31 BC, Octavian won

Antony & Cleopatra returned to Egypt and committed suicide.

Empire Established

Octavian became unchallenged ruler of Rome (27 BC)

Accepted the title of “Augustus” (exalted one)Pax Romana (27BC to 180AD):

long lasting period of peace and prosperity. The Roman Empire achieve its greatest extent (3

million square miles)60-80 million people

The Roman World

Emphasized the values of discipline, strength, and loyalty (gravitas)

Most people lived in the countryside and worked on farms

Slavery and Captivity More use of slaves than any previous civilizationsMost slaves were conquered peoples brought back

from battlesSome forced to become professional gladiatorsSome slave revolts, but none ever succeeded.

Gods & Goddesses

Adopted many Greek deities, but changed their names

Examples: Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, Venus, Mars, etc.

Worship of the emperor also became part of the official religion

Society & Culture

Rich lived extravagantlyMuch of Rome’s population was unemployed,

govt. supplied some foodFree games for the masses: races, mock

battles, gladiator contests: Coliseum

Emperors Attempt Reform: Diocletian

became emperor in 284 ADDoubled the size of the Roman armySet fixed prices for goodsDivided the Empire between Greek –speaking

East and Latin-Speaking West

Emperors Attempt Reform: Constantine

gained control of Western half in 312 AD, Eastern half in 324 AD

Constantine moved capital from Rome to Byzantium (renamed Constantinople, currently Istanbul, Turkey) in 330 AD

POLITICAL:Oppressive government & loss of popular supportIncreased govt. corruptionDivision of the empireInternal power struggles

MILITARY:Poorly trained armiesLittle loyalty among hired soldiersSeries of Germanic invasions

ECONOMIC:Increase in taxes to support the army & bureaucracyReliance on slave laborIndenture of farmers to wealthy landowners

SOCIAL:Population decline caused by war & diseaseDecline in patriotism, discipline & devotion to dutyDevotion of upper classes to luxury & self-interest

Decline of the Roman Empire

Rome’s Influence on Western Civilization

Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization

Romans & Greek culture, intermixed

Use bas-relief to tell storiesMosaicsPainting: large murals

called frescoes

Rome’s Influence on Western Civilization

Learning and literaturephilosophy from the GreeksVirgil: The Aeneid modeled after works of

HomerOvid: Poetry, light and witty, for enjoymentLivy: Multivolume history of RomeTacitus: Historian, presented facts

accurately, concerned with Roman lack of morality.

Legacy of Rome

Latin Language Catholic Church until 20th centuryFrenchSpanishPortugueseItalianRomanian

Legacy of Rome

Master Builders Arch, dome, concreteColiseumAqueductsRoads

Legacy of Rome

Roman System of Lawsrights of Roman citizensEqual treatment under the lawInnocent until proven guiltyThe burden of proof rested with the accuser,

not the accused