ANCIENT ROMEANCIENT ROME

Prepared by Anita BilleterPrepared by Anita Billeter

Palmdale School DistrictPalmdale School District

with funding fromwith funding from

Jordan Fundamentals GrantJordan Fundamentals Grant

Keeping History Alive GrantKeeping History Alive Grant

SEVEN KINGSSEVEN KINGS► Roman legend says that Roman legend says that

Rome was founded in Rome was founded in 753B.C. and Romulus was 753B.C. and Romulus was the first of seven kingsthe first of seven kings

► About 575 B.C. the About 575 B.C. the Etruscans from the north Etruscans from the north moved into Rome and ruled moved into Rome and ruled it for the next 66 years.it for the next 66 years.

► Under the Etruscan kings, Under the Etruscan kings, Rome made rapid progress Rome made rapid progress in the area of writing and in the area of writing and new building techniques.new building techniques.

► The Romans rebelled The Romans rebelled against the seventh and last against the seventh and last Roman king, an Etruscan, Roman king, an Etruscan, and never lived under kings and never lived under kings again.again.

Midpoint of the Midpoint of the MediterraneanMediterranean

► Rome lay near the center of Rome lay near the center of the peninsula, with the peninsula, with Etruscans to the north and Etruscans to the north and Greek colonies to the south.Greek colonies to the south.

► Rome’s location had several Rome’s location had several advantages: it was a difficult advantages: it was a difficult place for enemies to attack; place for enemies to attack; close to the sea, but not too close to the sea, but not too close; and on an important close; and on an important river that brought supplies river that brought supplies in and out.in and out.

► Rome was also within easy Rome was also within easy reach of Greece, Spain and reach of Greece, Spain and the northern coast of Africa.the northern coast of Africa.

Patricians and PlebeiansPatricians and Plebeians► With the overthrow of With the overthrow of

the last Etruscan king, the last Etruscan king, Romans adopted the Romans adopted the republican form of republican form of government.government.

► Consuls, the leaders in Consuls, the leaders in place of a king, were place of a king, were elected by a citizen elected by a citizen assembly and advised assembly and advised by the Senate.by the Senate.

► Roman society was Roman society was made up of patricians made up of patricians and plebeians, who were and plebeians, who were citizens; and slaves, who citizens; and slaves, who had no rights.had no rights.

STRUGGLE FOR RIGHTSSTRUGGLE FOR RIGHTS► In 494 B.C. the plebeians In 494 B.C. the plebeians

demanded greater rights by demanded greater rights by withdrawing from the city, withdrawing from the city, forming their own assembly, forming their own assembly, and electing their own and electing their own leaders.leaders.

► In the 300s B.C., the In the 300s B.C., the plebeians obtained more plebeians obtained more rights, such as the right to rights, such as the right to become members of the become members of the Senate.Senate.

► In 287 B.C., after more than In 287 B.C., after more than 200 years of struggle and 200 years of struggle and once more withdrawing from once more withdrawing from the city, the plebeians the city, the plebeians obtained equality under obtained equality under Roman law.Roman law.

ROMAN GOVERNMENTROMAN GOVERNMENT

► The Roman government The Roman government and the army were and the army were managed by two consuls, managed by two consuls, a patrician and a a patrician and a plebeian.plebeian.

► The consuls were advised The consuls were advised by the Senate, which by the Senate, which controlled the treasury controlled the treasury and foreign policy.and foreign policy.

► Laws proposed by the Laws proposed by the Senate could be Senate could be approved or disapproved approved or disapproved by the citizens’ by the citizens’ assemblies.assemblies.

EARLY EXPANSIONEARLY EXPANSION

► Year after year, the Year after year, the Roman army marched Roman army marched off to expand the area off to expand the area under Roman control.under Roman control.

► By 338 B.C. Rome had By 338 B.C. Rome had conquered Latium and conquered Latium and Etruria, and by 275 Etruria, and by 275 B.C., Rome ruled the B.C., Rome ruled the whole Italian peninsula.whole Italian peninsula.

► Rome did not punish Rome did not punish the people it the people it conquered, but instead conquered, but instead made them allies.made them allies.

THE PUNIC WARSTHE PUNIC WARS

► Rome and Carthage Rome and Carthage fought three long wars fought three long wars over control of the over control of the Mediterranean, called Mediterranean, called the Punic Wars.the Punic Wars.

► Hannibal, an important Hannibal, an important commander of the commander of the Carthage troops, led an Carthage troops, led an almost successful almost successful invasion of the Italian invasion of the Italian peninsula.peninsula.

► Hannibal’s defeat Hannibal’s defeat marked the end of the marked the end of the Carthage empire.Carthage empire.

CONQUEST OF THE EASTERN CONQUEST OF THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEANMEDITERRANEAN

► After defeating Carthage, After defeating Carthage, Rome conquered Greece Rome conquered Greece and Macedonia, and by 50 and Macedonia, and by 50 B.C. controlled the entire B.C. controlled the entire area around the area around the Mediterranean.Mediterranean.

► Rome was successful Rome was successful because its people were because its people were determined, it made allies determined, it made allies of its conquered enemies, of its conquered enemies, its army was highly its army was highly disciplined and experienced, disciplined and experienced, it greatly valued military it greatly valued military success, and it used the success, and it used the spoils of war to build up the spoils of war to build up the treasury.treasury.

TROUBLE AT HOMETROUBLE AT HOME

► Rome’s farms were Rome’s farms were destroyed during the destroyed during the second Punic War, and second Punic War, and farmers could not farmers could not afford to rebuild them.afford to rebuild them.

► Landless farmers Landless farmers moved to the city to moved to the city to find work, creating a find work, creating a large mass of poor, large mass of poor, jobless people.jobless people.

► Slaves—captured in the Slaves—captured in the many wars– were often many wars– were often mistreated and mistreated and sometimes rebelled.sometimes rebelled.

FALL OF THE ROMAN FALL OF THE ROMAN REPUBLICREPUBLIC

► Rome’s rapid Rome’s rapid expansion caused expansion caused problems at home and problems at home and conflicts broke out conflicts broke out between the rich and between the rich and poor.poor.

► Julius Caesar was an Julius Caesar was an ambitious general who ambitious general who challenged the Senate challenged the Senate and caused a civil war.and caused a civil war.

► After three years of After three years of civil war, Caesar won civil war, Caesar won and declared himself and declared himself dictator, ending the dictator, ending the Roman republic.Roman republic.

GREEK INFLUENCE ON ROMEGREEK INFLUENCE ON ROME

► Roman’s studied and Roman’s studied and copied Greek statues and copied Greek statues and art, and Greek literature art, and Greek literature greatly influenced Roman greatly influenced Roman writers.writers.

► Greek scholars were Greek scholars were brought as slaves to brought as slaves to Rome to teach wealthy Rome to teach wealthy Roman children.Roman children.

► The Roman’s renamed The Roman’s renamed and worshipped Greek and worshipped Greek gods.gods.

ROMAN GENIUSROMAN GENIUS► Rome mastered the skills of Rome mastered the skills of

military organization, legal military organization, legal administration, and administration, and engineering.engineering.

► The Roman military was The Roman military was determined, disciplined, and determined, disciplined, and able to wage long battles.able to wage long battles.

► Roman engineers built Roman engineers built roads that are still in use, roads that are still in use, perfected the arch, invented perfected the arch, invented concrete, built aqueducts, concrete, built aqueducts, and developed surveying.and developed surveying.

► The Romans developed a The Romans developed a legal system with courts, legal system with courts, judges, and lawyers that judges, and lawyers that has served as the model for has served as the model for modern-day legal systems modern-day legal systems in many parts of the world. in many parts of the world.

ESTABLISHING PEACE AND ESTABLISHING PEACE AND ORDERORDER

► After Caesar was After Caesar was assassinated, his adopted assassinated, his adopted son, Octavian (later called son, Octavian (later called Augustus), brought peace to Augustus), brought peace to the empire and became a the empire and became a popular leader.popular leader.

► Augustus oversaw major Augustus oversaw major building projects, created a building projects, created a police force and fire police force and fire brigade, and set up a brigade, and set up a department to supply food department to supply food to Roman citizens.to Roman citizens.

► Augustus's reign marked Augustus's reign marked the beginning of the Pax the beginning of the Pax Romana, which lasted more Romana, which lasted more than 200 years.than 200 years.

RULING THE EMPIRERULING THE EMPIRE► During the 200 years During the 200 years

after Augustus's death, after Augustus's death, four dynasties ruled the four dynasties ruled the Roman Empire.Roman Empire.

► Each of the four Each of the four dynasties ended with dynasties ended with the violent overthrow of the violent overthrow of an unpopular or unfit an unpopular or unfit emperor.emperor.

► While most Roman While most Roman provinces lived in peace provinces lived in peace during the Pax Romana, during the Pax Romana, the Roman army had to the Roman army had to put down rebellions in put down rebellions in Gaul, Britain, and Judea.Gaul, Britain, and Judea.

UNIFYING THE EMPIREUNIFYING THE EMPIRE

► The Roman emperors The Roman emperors encouraged the building of encouraged the building of cities modeled on Rome, cities modeled on Rome, which spread Roman ideas which spread Roman ideas and customs throughout the and customs throughout the empire.empire.

► The emperors granted The emperors granted citizenship to people in the citizenship to people in the provinces, giving them provinces, giving them certain rights.certain rights.

► The emperors allowed The emperors allowed officials in provinces to officials in provinces to govern their own cities, and govern their own cities, and to participate in the central to participate in the central government of Rome.government of Rome.

THREE SOCIAL CLASSESTHREE SOCIAL CLASSES

► Roman society was divided Roman society was divided into three major classes—into three major classes—the elite, the “more the elite, the “more humble,” and the slaves—humble,” and the slaves—determined by birth and determined by birth and wealth.wealth.

► The elite made up less than The elite made up less than 2% of the people, while the 2% of the people, while the “more humble” included “more humble” included most of the freemen and most of the freemen and women of the empire.women of the empire.

► Slaves may have made up Slaves may have made up as much as one third of the as much as one third of the people in the empire, and people in the empire, and were completely at the were completely at the mercy of their masters.mercy of their masters.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL LEVELLEVEL

► Social divisions were Social divisions were clearly defined as seen clearly defined as seen in ancient Rome.in ancient Rome.

► Romans could change Romans could change social position through social position through the gain or loss of the gain or loss of wealth.wealth.

► An individual could An individual could improve social position improve social position through gaining wealth, through gaining wealth, but this was hard to do.but this was hard to do.

RICH AND POORRICH AND POOR

► Rich Romans lived in Rich Romans lived in homes with many homes with many rooms, running water, rooms, running water, heat, and servants.heat, and servants.

► Poorer Romans lived in Poorer Romans lived in dirty and poorly-dirty and poorly-maintained buildings maintained buildings called insulae, that had called insulae, that had no running water and no running water and little light.little light.

► For the majority of For the majority of Romans living in Romans living in crowded conditions, fire crowded conditions, fire and crime were serious and crime were serious problems.problems.

FAMILY LIFE IN THE EMPIREFAMILY LIFE IN THE EMPIRE

► In the later days of the In the later days of the empire, women gained empire, women gained more power, and laws more power, and laws prevented fathers from prevented fathers from selling their children or selling their children or forcing marriages.forcing marriages.

► Wealthier families sent their Wealthier families sent their children and even children and even household slaves to school household slaves to school until age 15, after which until age 15, after which only boys continued their only boys continued their education.education.

► Professional people—such Professional people—such as engineers—learned as engineers—learned through apprenticeships, through apprenticeships, not formal education.not formal education.

BENEFITS OF LIFE IN ROMEBENEFITS OF LIFE IN ROME

► The Roman The Roman government gave government gave free wheat, and free wheat, and sometimes money, to sometimes money, to citizens.citizens.

► There was a plentiful There was a plentiful supply of water for supply of water for drinking, cooking, drinking, cooking, and bathing.and bathing.

► The emperor The emperor provided circuses provided circuses and games.and games.

RELIGIOUS PRACTICESRELIGIOUS PRACTICES

► The Romans worshipped The Romans worshipped many gods, some of many gods, some of which were state gods, which were state gods, while others were gods of while others were gods of the household.the household.

► The Roman religion was The Roman religion was based on rituals, based on rituals, especially the sacrifice of especially the sacrifice of animals.animals.

► For the most part, For the most part, Romans were tolerant of Romans were tolerant of other religions in the other religions in the Empire.Empire.

An Agricultural EconomyAn Agricultural Economy

► Four out of five people Four out of five people in the Roman Empire in the Roman Empire worked on farms.worked on farms.

► Roman farmers’ crops Roman farmers’ crops were small and they did were small and they did not make significant not make significant profits.profits.

► The Roman economy The Roman economy was primarily concerned was primarily concerned with the basic task of with the basic task of feeding soldiers and city feeding soldiers and city dwellers.dwellers.

TRADE IN THE EMPIRETRADE IN THE EMPIRE

► The most important trade The most important trade item for Romans was grain item for Romans was grain for feeding the vast for feeding the vast numbers of people in the numbers of people in the Empire.Empire.

► Mining was the largest Mining was the largest industry in the empire, with industry in the empire, with building materials and building materials and metals coming from outside metals coming from outside of Rome.of Rome.

► Trade in manufactured Trade in manufactured goods was limited, while goods was limited, while trade in luxury goods was trade in luxury goods was the smallest part of the the smallest part of the economy.economy.

THE NEW FAITHTHE NEW FAITH

► Romans followed a number Romans followed a number of religions and also allowed of religions and also allowed a great deal of freedom to a great deal of freedom to other religionsother religions

► Jews and Christians began Jews and Christians began to disagree on religious to disagree on religious grounds, and Christianity grounds, and Christianity slowly became a separate slowly became a separate religion.religion.

► There are few written There are few written historical accounts of historical accounts of Christianity’s early history. Christianity’s early history. Much of what we know Much of what we know comes from the New comes from the New Testament part of the Bible.Testament part of the Bible.

JEWS AND CHRISTIANSJEWS AND CHRISTIANS

► Jews and Christians Jews and Christians shared the same basic shared the same basic beliefs, but differed on beliefs, but differed on the idea of the messiah.the idea of the messiah.

► At first Christians At first Christians concentrated on trying concentrated on trying to convert other Jews.to convert other Jews.

► After serious debate, the After serious debate, the early Christians decided early Christians decided to preach Christianity to to preach Christianity to the Gentiles.the Gentiles.

THE WORK OF PAULTHE WORK OF PAUL

► Paul, a convert to Paul, a convert to Christianity, made three Christianity, made three long journeys to spread long journeys to spread Christianity and establish Christianity and establish Christian communities.Christian communities.

► Paul’s Roman citizenship, Paul’s Roman citizenship, the good roads, and the good roads, and listeners open to new ideas listeners open to new ideas helped Paul spread helped Paul spread Christianity in the Greek-Christianity in the Greek-speaking world.speaking world.

► While in Rome to stand trial, While in Rome to stand trial, Paul preached and taught Paul preached and taught for two years before being for two years before being executed.executed.

ROME’S EARLY RESPONSEROME’S EARLY RESPONSE

► At first the Romans At first the Romans paid little attention to paid little attention to the Christians.the Christians.

► Some Romans were Some Romans were quite suspicious of quite suspicious of Christians, and Nero Christians, and Nero blamed them for blamed them for starting a major fire starting a major fire which destroyed much which destroyed much of Rome.of Rome.

► Although by A.D. 100 Although by A.D. 100 there was a law there was a law condemning admitted condemning admitted Christians to death, it Christians to death, it was seldom enforced.was seldom enforced.

THE ATTACK ON THE ATTACK ON CHRISTIANITYCHRISTIANITY

► In A.D. 250 Emperor Decius In A.D. 250 Emperor Decius ordered the execution of all ordered the execution of all Christians who refused to Christians who refused to worship the Roman gods.worship the Roman gods.

► Up until A.D. 311, Christians Up until A.D. 311, Christians suffered two more waves of suffered two more waves of persecution under two persecution under two different emperors.different emperors.

► Roman mobs destroyed Roman mobs destroyed Christian churches and Christian churches and sacred books. Christians sacred books. Christians were fired from jobs, forced were fired from jobs, forced to leave the army, attacked, to leave the army, attacked, and killed. and killed.

THE RISE OF CHRISTIANITYTHE RISE OF CHRISTIANITY

► Emperor Constantine made Emperor Constantine made it legal for Christians to it legal for Christians to worship, gave money to the worship, gave money to the church, and became church, and became involved with church involved with church decision-making.decision-making.

► Constantine gave Constantine gave Christianity the support of Christianity the support of the Roman authorities, but the Roman authorities, but also combined religion and also combined religion and government, and government, and persecuted Jews.persecuted Jews.

► Christianity gained power as Christianity gained power as the Roman Empire was the Roman Empire was declining.declining.

THE END OF PAX ROMANATHE END OF PAX ROMANA

► Rome suffered political Rome suffered political turmoil during the turmoil during the years after A.D. 180; in years after A.D. 180; in one 50 year period, 25 one 50 year period, 25 emperors ruled.emperors ruled.

► Prices rose, trade was Prices rose, trade was disrupted, and people disrupted, and people could not afford to pay could not afford to pay the taxes Rome needed the taxes Rome needed to defend the empire.to defend the empire.

► Tribes from the north Tribes from the north overran Rome’s overran Rome’s borders.borders.

THE REIGN OF DIOCLETIANTHE REIGN OF DIOCLETIAN

► Diocletian introduced a Diocletian introduced a number of reforms to number of reforms to solve the problems of solve the problems of the empire.the empire.

► Diocletian’s reforms Diocletian’s reforms reorganized and reorganized and stabilized the empire, stabilized the empire, but limited the but limited the freedoms of the Roman freedoms of the Roman people.people.

► Under Diocletian, the Under Diocletian, the power of the emperor power of the emperor over the people over the people became complete.became complete.

THE REIGN OF CONSTANTINETHE REIGN OF CONSTANTINE

► Constantine helped Constantine helped Christianity become the Christianity become the empire’s main religion.empire’s main religion.

► Constantine completed Constantine completed the reorganization of the reorganization of the government, and the government, and moved the capital to moved the capital to Constantinople.Constantinople.

► After Constantine’s After Constantine’s death, by A.D. 400, the death, by A.D. 400, the empire had empire had permanently split into permanently split into two parts.two parts.

BARBARIAN INVASIONSBARBARIAN INVASIONS

► Over a period of 300 years, Over a period of 300 years, many barbarian tribes made many barbarian tribes made their way south into the their way south into the Roman Empire.Roman Empire.

► By the A.D. 200s, the By the A.D. 200s, the frontier of the empire was frontier of the empire was no longer a clear-cut no longer a clear-cut boundary between boundary between barbarians and the Romans.barbarians and the Romans.

► Historians use the year Historians use the year A.D.476, when the last A.D.476, when the last emperor was forced out of emperor was forced out of the western part of the the western part of the empire, as the fall of Rome.empire, as the fall of Rome.

GROWTH OF THE CHURCHGROWTH OF THE CHURCH

► While the Roman empire While the Roman empire declined, Christianity declined, Christianity grew stronger.grew stronger.

► Some of the barbarian Some of the barbarian tribes from the north tribes from the north converted to Christianity.converted to Christianity.

► Pagan Romans blamed Pagan Romans blamed Rome’s decline on the Rome’s decline on the fact that Romans had fact that Romans had abandoned their old abandoned their old gods.gods.

THE CAUSES OF THE FALLTHE CAUSES OF THE FALL

► A far-flung empire, A far-flung empire, economic decline, and economic decline, and the growth of a the growth of a government which government which required more and more required more and more of its people were some of its people were some of the factors in the fall of the factors in the fall of the Roman Empire.of the Roman Empire.

► Other factors in the fall Other factors in the fall included: decline in the included: decline in the work force, a lack of work force, a lack of technology, and a technology, and a greatly weakened army.greatly weakened army.

THE ROMAN LEGACYTHE ROMAN LEGACY

► Following the fall of the Following the fall of the western Roman Empire, western Roman Empire, Europe entered 500 Europe entered 500 years of decline called years of decline called the Early Middle Ages.the Early Middle Ages.

► In Europe, Rome’s In Europe, Rome’s heritage in book form heritage in book form was preserved in was preserved in monasteries.monasteries.

► In Constantinople, In Constantinople, scholars copied many scholars copied many important Greek and important Greek and Roman works, thereby Roman works, thereby saving them for the saving them for the future.future.