The History of Early Rome

Geography of Rome

Rome is located on the boot shaped peninsula that is modern day Italy.

Rome is located centrally in Italy. The Italian peninsula is located centrally in the Mediterranean.

The geography of Rome made it easier to unite than Greece.

Italy is less mountainous than Greece, and has the advantage of broad fertile plains in north and south.

The people of Ancient Rome

The Latin’s were the ancestors of the Romans. They migrated to Italy around 800 B.C.

The Latin’s settled on the Tiber River. They settled villages around 7 low-lying hills that would become the city of Rome.

Etruscans lived in the north of Italy and Greek Colonist lived in the South. Etruscan Helmet. The Romans learned a

great deal from the Etruscans.

The Roman Republic

The Romans drove out their Etruscan ruler in 509 B.C.

The Romans formed a government in which some of the officials were elected by the people. This form of government was called a Republic.

Tarquin the Proud, the last Etruscan King of Rome.

Roman Republic Government

The most powerful governing body in the early republic was the senate. Its 300 members were all patricians or land holding elite.

The senate elected two consuls each year whose job was to run the business of the government and command armies.

In the event of war or crisis, the senate could elect a dictator, or ruler that had complete control over the Government. The Roman Senate

Roman Republic Government

In the beginning, all of the government officials were patricians.

Plebeians were the farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders that made up the bulk of the population.

In 450 B.C. the laws of Rome were inscribed on twelve tablets and set up in the market place so the Plebeians could see them.

In time plebeians could elect their own officials called Tribunes, who would protect their interests.

Roman Society

The family was the basic unit of Roman society. The male, by law, was the head of the house hold.

Roman women played a larger role in society than in Greece.

Women from all classes had the opportunity to run a variety of business, from small shops to ship yards.

Most women worked at home raising their families.

Patrician Roman Woman

Roman Society

Both girls and boys learned to read and write, as well as lower class citizens in Rome.

Many wealthy Romans hired private tutors for their children. These tutors were often Greek.

Roman gods and goddesses resembled those of the Etruscans and Greeks.

There were many Roman religious celebrations throughout the year, which inspired a sense of community.

Romans celebrating the holiday of Saturnalia.

Expansion in Italy

By 270 B.C. Rome controlled most of the Italian Peninsula.

Rome’s success was due to its skillful diplomacy and well trained army.

The Roman Army was comprised of citizen-soldiers.

The basic military unit was the Legion made up of about 5,000 men. Roman Legionnaire

Expansion in Italy

Roman’s usually treated their defeated enemies with justice.

Conquered peoples had to acknowledge Roman leadership, pay taxes, and supply soldiers to the Roman Army.

In return, they could keep their own customs, money and local government.

To protect their conquered lands, Rome posted soldiers throughout the land and built a network of all weather roads to link distant territories.

The Roman Road, The Appian Way, linked Rome to Southern Cities in Italy.