Roman civilization, and

later empire, built upon Greek achievement

Foundation of Western Civilization (North America, South America, Europe, Australia) Language (Spanish,

French, English, Italian, German)

Religion (Christianity)

Introduction

Rome is present-day capital of

Italy

Peninsula – easy access to trade

Bordered by Alps in North –easy to defend

Farmland excellent for agriculture, climate very warm and mild

Flat – easy to unite

Geography of Italy

1. Pre-Roman Civilizations

c. 800 BCE – 509 BCE

2. Roman Republic

509 BCE – 27 BCE

3. Roman Empire

27 BCE – 476 CE

4. Roman/Byzantine Empire

476 CE – 1453 CE

Roman History

1. Pre-Roman Civilizations

c. 800 BCE – 509 BCE

Little is known – no written records

Romans later created own legends to explain their history and foundation

Didn’t want to acknowledge modest roots

Created false ties to Greeks and other advanced civilizations

Example – Romulus and Remus

Earliest Settlers in Italy

The Latins

Earliest settlers along Tiber River

Built city on 7hills – would laterbecome Rome

Evolved over time, referred to themselves as Romans

Lived alongside Greeks and Etruscans – ruled the Latins as a monarchy

The Foundation of Rome

Etruscans were strict rulers

Romans did not like having a King

Eventually overthrew Etruscan rule in 509 BCE

Formed new government called a “republic”

2. Roman Republic

509 BCE – 27 BCE

Formed in 509 BCE with overthrowing of Etruscan

rule

No longer wanted a monarchy

Wanted a government with no one person in power

Above all, feared a king/dictator/tyrant the most

From the Latin “Res Publica” = the public thing, the thing of the people

Rome belongs to all of the people collectively

Beginning of the Republic

Family was the most basic and important unity in

society

Family before all

Rome before family

Women inferior to men (including their sons)

Ideal men - strong, dutiful, citizens

Ideal women - poised, loving, nurturing

Roman Values and Ideas

Patria Potestas

“Power of the Father”

Men are superior

Fathers = heads of family, complete power over family, life or death

Mos Maiorum

“Way of the Elders”

All people are extensions of their family tree

Family is secondary only to Rome

The past is looked upon for wisdom, guidance

Change, new ideas are not trusted = very traditional

Patron-Client Relationships Backbone of Roman politics and society

Patron – person of higher power/status

Client – person of lower power/status

Patron does favor or job for client, client owes patron

Client is indebted until debt is repaid

Patrons can in turn be clients, who can be patrons to others

Over time, became more “off the books” and led to corruption in government Led to patron/client armies, senators became clients

Social inequality

Couldn’t marry each other Different dress, diets Based solely on birth

status Spoke different languages

(Patricians/Greek and Plebeians/Latin)

Political/Legal inequality Priesthood/legal positions

– Patricians Different laws, different

punishments

Plebeians vs. Patricians

12 Tables (450 BCE)

Laws that had to be followed by all citizens regardless of class

Punishments differed based on class

Gained representation in Senate (c. 300 BCE)

10 new Senators called Tribunes added

Tribunes had to be Plebeians

Eventually, 1 of the 2 Consuls had to be from Tribune

Plebeian Rights Over Time

Began to conquer Italian

peninsula by 270 BCE (easy dueto geography)

Successful army Citizen-soldiers

Loyal army

Treated conquered regionsfairly Must supply Rome with soldiers

Allowed to keep customs, govern selves

Kept soldiers throughout territories Built many roads

All roads lead to Rome

Rome Begins to Expand

Expansion → War

Conflict with Northern African city of Carthage

Punic Wars

Rome v. Carthage

Carthage most advanced city

Eventual Roman victory

264 BCE – 146 BCE

Forming an Empire

Rome vs. Carthage

Name comes from Latin word for Phoenician (Carthaginians were Phoenician descendants)

Fought over control of trade and influence of the Mediterranean

At time, Carthage was by far most powerful city in region, called the “Jewel of the Mediterranean”

The Punic Wars

First Punic War (264 BCE – 241 BCE)

Rome and Carthage fought over control of Sicily

Carthage skilled with maritime battle, led by Hamilcar Barca

Rome had to adjust tactics and strategies to fit sea battles – developed use of the “corvus”

Easy Roman victory

After 1st PW, Rome built up navy

Would be prepared for a second fight with Carthage

Carthage continued to underestimate Rome

Carthage looked for revenge, led by Hamilcar’s son

General Hannibal

Attacked the city of Rome by land

Traveled through Spain, Gaul through northern Italy using elephants

Began siege of Rome – unsuccessful – Roman victory

Second Punic War(218 BCE – 201 BCE)

During siege of Rome:

Roman General Scipio led attack on Carthage

Carthage could not defend itself

Second Punic War overall Roman victory – Carthage had to pay war debt

Rome felt Carthage should be completely destroyed

Roman army sieged Carthage for 3 years

Carthage completely destroyed

Army had “salted the earth”

Third Punic War (149 BCE – 146 BCE)

Punic Wars Review

Rome expands into

Carthage controlled Sicily

1st Punic War

Rome burns and salts

the ground of Carthage 3rd Punic War

Rome steals naval and

shipbuilding technology of Carthage

1st Punic War

Roman victory 1st, 2nd, 3rd Punic War

Hannibal crosses the

Alps with elephants to attack Rome

2nd Punic War

Hamilcar Barca leads

Carthaginian army 1st Punic War

Roman army attacks

Carthage while Carthage’s army sieges Rome

2nd Punic War

Carthage begins this

war as the most powerful city in the Mediterranean

1st Punic War

Carthage → weakened forever

Rome → most powerful in Mediterranean region

Rome has now expanded – will need to keepexpanding to fundnew lands

Roman roadsbuilt in every newconquest

Results of the Punic Wars

Roads = easy transport:

Army to defend new lands

Trading to/from new lands

“All roads lead toRome”

Wars led to many problems

Farmers had gone to war and died

Farmland sold for little $$$

Farmland bought by wealthy families

Poor became poorer, rich became richer

Population declined in rural areas, increased in cities

Cities became dirty, corrupt, crime ridden

Rome After the Punic Wars

Wealthy families lived on estates called latifundia

while city dwellers struggled to find food

Slavery increased on latifundia

Wealthy patricians became fewer, power increased, became patrons to manyclients

Senate grew corrupt andpowerful (many Senatorswere controlled by thevery rich)

Poverty increased → crime within Rome

Plebeians and slaves grew in number

More revolts against the wealthy

Reforms attempted to make life better for the poor

Led by Gaius & Tiberius Gracchus

Trouble in Rome

Born Plebeians, both elected Tribunes

Proposed reforms to help redistribute wealth and rid Rome of corruption and poverty

1. Families could only own certain amount of land

2. Extra land would be given to poor/homeless

3. Grain/food would be given based on need

4. Corrupt judges would be sentenced to death

Considered to be the creators of Socialism

The Gracchus Brothers

Senate and Patricians felt threatened by Gracchus bros.

Tiberius was beaten to death by the Senate

Gaius tried to continued reforms, later committed suicide

Thousands of their supporters were killed

Senate supporters vs. Gracchus supporters

Patricians sided with Senate

Controlled the military

Plebeians, slaves sided with Gracchus supporters

Many dictators elected

Many generals were able to gain power

Roman Civil Wars

America Today

The top 1% of Americans have 35% - 40% of America’s wealth

The bottom 80% of Americans have 15% or less of America’s wealth

An average worker in America makes less money in one month than the average CEO makes in one hour

The 3 richest Americans have more money than half of all

Americans

The wealthiest 400 families in the US paid a lower tax rate than the poorest families in 2018 (first time in history)

Estimated 27 million people do not have health insurance in the United States

About 38 million people in America live below the poverty line

37 million Americans are food insecure

21% of children in America live in poverty

Poverty cycle

Those who makelaws are alreadywealthy (and corrupt)

Extreme wealthis inherited, rarely earned

Why Doesn’t it Change?

Some wealth inequality is GOOD!

Motivation for hard work

High pay for hardest effort

Extreme wealth inequality is BAD!

Wealth = better healthcare, education, jobs

Corruption = those with $$$ can use to sway political decisions (taxes, loopholes)

Poverty = desperation, turmoil, violence, drug use, poor health, low education

Wealth inequality disproportionately affects minorities and women

Why Does it Matter?

During chaos of Civil Wars, Julius

Caesar was able to seize power

Led to the downfall of the Senateand the Republic

Helped usher in the Roman Empire

The Rise of Caesar

Born to Patrician family c. 100 BCE, but not very wealthy

Wanted to gain power – married local noble’s daughter

Enlisted in military, served manycampaigns, gained many honors for bravery

Gained notoriety for charisma and public speaking

• Escaped kidnapping by pirates

• Successful lawyer and politician

Early Life

Elected Senator c. 67 BCE

Created alliance with Gnaeus Pompey and Marcus Crassus (The First Triumvirate)

Elected Consul 59 BCE

Helped Rome conquer Gaul by 51 BCE

“Veni, vidi, vici”

Political Career

Always strained – each wanted power, wealth

Crassus died 54 BCE

Pompey and Caesar publicly fight, split in 51 BCE

Pompey killed in Egypt

Caesar conquers Egypt

Affair - Pharaoh Cleopatra

The Triumvirate Breaks Up

Returns to Rome – hero, power

unchecked

Convinces Senate to makehim Dictator for life to help Rome forever

Caesar – the Dictator

Expansion of Rome’s territory = more wealth, trade

Increased wealth for Plebeians

Coin system

Julian Calendar

Reduced crime, poverty, “corruption”

Caesar’s Accomplishments

Led by members of the Senate – Gaius Cassius &

Marcus Brutus

Called themselves “liberators”

Killed March 15, 44 BCE (Ides of March)

Caesar surrounded and stabbed

Caesar’s Assassination

Senate wished to avoid Civil War

– held public funeral

Caesar’s loyal followers threatened the assassins

Caesar’s nephew/adopted son Octavian returned to Rome to avenge the death

Aftermath of Caesar’s Death

Allied with Julius Caesar’s friend Marc Antony, formed

an army

Seized power from the Senate, killed over 2,000 Senators and Senate supporters

Turned against Marc Antony (was having affair with Cleopatra)

Marc Antony and Cleopatra both commit suicide

Octavian returned to Rome, resumed complete control over Senate

Octavian

Octavian proclaimed himself “Princeps” of Rome – first

citizen in 29 BCE

Became the first Emperor of Rome

Began the Roman Empire

Changed his name to Augustus Caesar

When Octavian becomes Augustus Caesar, the Roman Republic is officially over and the Roman Empire has begun

Octavian becomes Augustus Caesar

First Roman Emperor

“I found Rome a city of bricks, and left it a city of marble”

Restructured the empire → easier to control

Postal service

Rebuilt temples, buildings, bridges → more jobs

Forced officials to pass qualificationtest

Made peace with the Senate and citizens

New singular currency

Overall, very successful and popular His reign begins a time in Rome called the “Pax Romana”

Emperor Augustus 27 BCE – 14 CE

Began with reign of Augustus, ended with reign of

Marcus Aurelius

Period of prosperity, peace, and achievement during the Empire

Desire to revive Greek culture

Greatest technology

Emergence of Christianity

Pax Romana27 BCE – 180 CE

Evolved from the Judaism (began about 1800 BCE in

Babylon) Founded by Abraham – preached there was only a single

God, all humans choose to be good or bad

Abraham made a covenant with God – promised to worship God in exchange for salvation

Abraham’s sons: Ishmael – ancestor of the Arabs → Islam

Isaac– ancestor of the Jews, was to be sacrificed by saved by God Isaac’s son Jacob had 12 sons → became the Israelites and

eventual slaves of Egypt, eventually freed by Moses

Origins of Christianity

Jews in Rome – persecuted, but over time given rights

and freedoms as Rome expanded

State religion of Rome – polytheistic, same as Greek mythology, different names for gods

Jews were monotheistic, did not feel Roman consuls/dictators/senators held power over them

Judaism states therewill be an eventualmessiah – will bring salvation to all faithful Jews

By Augustus’ reign, there were many claiming to be

the Jewish messiah

Each had followers

Many put to death by Rome, some through crucifixion

Most influential – Jesus – born c. 5 BCE

Jesus

Most likely became a Jewish Rabbi, began preaching

new ideas of salvation

Everyone can be saved

Everyone is equal in the eyes of God

The only key to salvation is faith in God

God is the ultimate authority, not the emperor

Gained followers

Claimed to be the son of God and the messiah

Referred to as brothers/sisters

Looked on as an enemy of the Roman Empire – put to

death by crucifixion c. 30-33 CE

Happened every day, not unique to Jesus

Followers still spread his message

Believed he was the messiah Judaism had predicted

Gave Jesus the name “Christ”

Called themselves Christians

Others believed he was crazy, to this dayJews are still waiting for a final messiah

Crucifixion of Jesus

Disliked heavily by the Romans God was superior to Emperor

Anyone can be saved – even slaves, women, criminals

Claimed to “love” brothers and sisters

Early meetings held in secret, at night

Consumed the “body and blood” of Christ

Many became martyrs – died for beliefs – helped spread their ideas

Within 500 years – would be most popular religion in the world

Early Christians

http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/roman-emperors/

Click on each emperor’s name and determine: Were they good or bad? AND three supporting details to provide evidence.

Nero –

Caligula –

Vespasian –

Trajan –

Hadrian –

Marcus Aurelius –

Emperors of the PaxRomana

Ended with Marcus Aurelius’ death in 180

No emperor had ability to control Rome

Of 31 emperors after MA, only 4 died of natural causes

High taxes needed to pay for expansion and army

Taxes → farmers losing land→moving to cities → overcrowding/crime/poverty

Eventually, all of Rome’s pre-Caesarproblems returned

Rome After the PaxRomana

Attempted to reform Rome by:

No job freedom = stability

Fixed prices to help inflation

Dividing the Empire in 2

Diocletian 284-305

Divided Empire into Eastern and Western parts

Diocletian – lived in Eastern half in Byzantium (wealthier from trade)

Co-Emperor – lived in Western half in Rome, still answered to Emperor

Slowly caused wealth to leaveRome and move east

Constantine312-337

Converted to Christianity in 312 – had vision from God during battle

Passed the Edict of Milan in 313 – allowed religious toleration to all Christians living in the Empire

Moved capital from Rome to Byzantium

Renamed Constantinople

Finalized shift of the Empire to the east

East prospered, west declined rapidly

Collapse was long and slow – many reasons

Economic instability

Taxes, expansion, poverty

Political instability

Poor emperors, corruption, crime, un-loyal army

Moved capital

Took any wealth to east, caused west to suffer

Left west vulnerable to invaders

Huns from Asia, Goths/other Germanic tribes from northern Europe

End of the Empire

476 – Rome successfully invaded by Germanic leader

Odoacer

Ousted the emperor, ruled over Rome

Considered to be the fall of Rome by many

Western Roman Empire wouldnever be in control of the emperor in Constantinople again

“Sacking” of Rome

YES – the city of Rome was no longer ruled by a Roman NO – the emperor hadn’t ruled in Rome for over 150 years

YES – the co-emperor in Rome was ousted NO – he didn’t really have power anyway

YES – the Western Empire declined NO – the Eastern Empire prospered

NO – people stilled called themselves “Roman” for centuries

NO – Roman culture continued on, still influences today

NO – The Eastern Empire became the Byzantine Empire, which didn’t fall until 1453

Did Rome Really Fall?