The Rise and The Rise and Fall of Ancient Fall of Ancient

RomeRome

The Land: Its Geography and The Land: Its Geography and ImportanceImportance

Italy is a peninsula, dipping into the Italy is a peninsula, dipping into the Mediterranean Sea and bordered on Mediterranean Sea and bordered on the east by the Adriatic Sea.the east by the Adriatic Sea.

Italy is also protected to the North by Italy is also protected to the North by the Alps. However, passageways the Alps. However, passageways through the Alps allowed various through the Alps allowed various groups to frequently invade. groups to frequently invade.

Rome is FoundedRome is Founded

In the mid-700s B.C. a group of people In the mid-700s B.C. a group of people called the Latins moved into west-central called the Latins moved into west-central Italy. Some built villages along the Tiber Italy. Some built villages along the Tiber River. In time these villages united to River. In time these villages united to form Rome.form Rome.

In the 600s B.C., Rome came under the In the 600s B.C., Rome came under the rule of the Etruscans from Northern Italy. rule of the Etruscans from Northern Italy. The Etruscans were city dwellers with a The Etruscans were city dwellers with a written language.written language.

Rome is FoundedRome is Founded

Etruscan culture heavily influenced Rome Etruscan culture heavily influenced Rome and under their rule Rome grew large and and under their rule Rome grew large and prosperous.prosperous.

Greeks also settled in ancient Italy. There Greeks also settled in ancient Italy. There were several city-states in Southern Italy were several city-states in Southern Italy and on the island of Sicily. Greek culture and on the island of Sicily. Greek culture also influenced Roman culture. For also influenced Roman culture. For instance, they shared the same gods, but instance, they shared the same gods, but many had different names.many had different names.

The Roman RepublicThe Roman Republic

In 509 B.C. Rome set up a In 509 B.C. Rome set up a republic. In the republic the real republic. In the republic the real power was held by the senate, power was held by the senate, because they could make laws.because they could make laws.

After freeing themselves from After freeing themselves from the republic, the Romans built a the republic, the Romans built a strong army.strong army.

Roman SocietyRoman Society

In Roman society, only adult males In Roman society, only adult males were allowed to vote.were allowed to vote.

Patricians Patricians were rich landowners were rich landowners who ran Rome. Only patricians were who ran Rome. Only patricians were allowed to sit on the Senate.allowed to sit on the Senate.

The common people were known as The common people were known as the the PlebeiansPlebeians..

Daily Life in RomeDaily Life in Rome

The Romans celebrated about 100 The Romans celebrated about 100 holidays a year. holidays a year.

On these days Romans would go see On these days Romans would go see chariot races or gladiator fights. chariot races or gladiator fights.

The gladiator fights were to the The gladiator fights were to the death. death.

Problems of RomeProblems of Rome

By 133 B.C., Roman armies had By 133 B.C., Roman armies had taken over a large part of the taken over a large part of the Mediterranean world.Mediterranean world.

The army was so large and the taxes The army was so large and the taxes to pay for it so high that eventually to pay for it so high that eventually the plebeians began to get angry.the plebeians began to get angry.

The Republic Ends-The Empire The Republic Ends-The Empire BeginsBegins

In the years following 100 B.C., Roman In the years following 100 B.C., Roman generals and politicians fought for generals and politicians fought for power.power.

Eventually Julius Caesar won the fight Eventually Julius Caesar won the fight and he was made ruler for life.and he was made ruler for life.

In 44 B.C., Caesar was assassinated and In 44 B.C., Caesar was assassinated and a civil war began. Eventually a young a civil war began. Eventually a young patrician named Octavian took control. patrician named Octavian took control.

The Republic Ends-The Empire The Republic Ends-The Empire Begins (cont.)Begins (cont.)

Octavian was given the name Octavian was given the name Augustus and put in charge of the Augustus and put in charge of the Roman army. IN 27 B.C. he became Roman army. IN 27 B.C. he became the first emperor of Rome. the first emperor of Rome.

A New ReligionA New Religion

During this time, a Jew living in During this time, a Jew living in Roman Palestine, began a new Roman Palestine, began a new religion that became known as religion that became known as Christianity.Christianity.

Early Christians were persecuted for Early Christians were persecuted for their faith.their faith.

By 395 A.D., Christianity was the By 395 A.D., Christianity was the official religion of the Roman Empire.official religion of the Roman Empire.

The Pax RomanaThe Pax Romana

During Augustus’ reign, governments During Augustus’ reign, governments in faraway Roman territories became in faraway Roman territories became more honest. This helped create 200 more honest. This helped create 200 years of peace in the Roman Empire. years of peace in the Roman Empire. This period is known as the Pax This period is known as the Pax Romana.Romana.

Emperors After AugustusEmperors After Augustus

There were many Emperors after There were many Emperors after Augustus, some ruled well others Augustus, some ruled well others ruled poorly.ruled poorly.

After 180 A.D., the army started to After 180 A.D., the army started to weaken and non-Romans were weaken and non-Romans were allowed to be soldiers.allowed to be soldiers.

The Empire is DividedThe Empire is Divided

In A.D. 395, the Roman Empire was In A.D. 395, the Roman Empire was divided into East and West. The divided into East and West. The western half was ruled by Rome, western half was ruled by Rome, while the Eastern half was ruled from while the Eastern half was ruled from Constantinople.Constantinople.

The Fall of RomeThe Fall of Rome

Around A.D. 360, the Huns a fierce Around A.D. 360, the Huns a fierce central Asian tribe invaded Europe. central Asian tribe invaded Europe. The Huns severely weakened the The Huns severely weakened the Roman Empire.Roman Empire.

Finally in A.D. 476 a German tribe Finally in A.D. 476 a German tribe invaded and took control of Rome.invaded and took control of Rome.

The Contributions of RomeThe Contributions of Rome

The Roman Empire held many The Roman Empire held many conquered territories, however they conquered territories, however they did not try to force their ideas and did not try to force their ideas and values upon these peoples. The seat values upon these peoples. The seat of government was Rome but they of government was Rome but they allowed the territories to govern allowed the territories to govern themselves.themselves.

The Contributions of Rome The Contributions of Rome (cont.)(cont.)

Romans wrote down laws and the Romans wrote down laws and the same law code was applied same law code was applied throughout the Empire.throughout the Empire.