Lesson Objectives

66. Describe the physical and cultural settings in which Roman civilization arose.

67. Outline how the Roman Republic was structured and governed.

68. Understand the rights and religious practices that characterized Roman society.

69. Explain how the Roman Republic grew and maintained its conquests.

The Mediterranean

Rome

Geography of Italy

Unlike Greece Italy is not broken up into small isolated mountain valleys.

The mountains in Italy are less rugged than the mountains in Greece.

In the north and south there are fertile plains. These plains supported the growing population.

Early Peoples: The Latins and the Etruscans

By 800 B.C. the ancestors of the Romans, the Latins, migrated into Italy.

They settled along the Tiber River in small settlements, which would eventually become Rome.

Northern Italy was inhabited by another group known as the Etruscans.

The Romans learned much from the the Etruscan civilization.

The Romans establish a Republic

In 509 B.C. the Romans kicked out their Etruscan ruler and established the first Roman republic.

Republic- “that which belongs to the people”, a system of government in which the people choose some officials.

Romans thought that a republic would prevent any individual from gaining too much power.

Patricians vs. Plebeians

Patricians Patricians- members of the

upper class who owned land.

Held all of the powerful positions in the Republic.

Many served as officials in the senate for life.

Plebeians Plebeians- the farmers,

merchants, and artisans, who made up the majority of the population.

At first had little power in making decisions.

In time they gained more rights such as the veto, tribunes, and the Twelve Tables.

The Role of Women

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

They could own property and run businesses.

Patrician women were able dine out for dinner, attend the public baths, or attend public entertainment.

Romans Educate all Children

Both boys and girls from all classes learned to read and write.

Many wealthy Romans hired Greek tutors to teach their children.

Children memorized major events in Roman history and studied rhetoric.

Roman Religion

The Romans were polytheistic. They adapted Greek religion and borrowed many of the Greek gods and goddesses. (Changing the names)

For example Zeus became Jupiter and Poseidon became Neptune.

The Roman calendar was full of celebrations to honor the gods.

Temples were built throughout Rome to worship the gods.

The Roman Republic Grows

Over time the Romans expanded their land to include all of Italy.

By about 270 B.C. Rome controlled most of the Italian peninsula.

Citizen-Soldiers make up the Army The basic military unit was the

legion, made up of about 5,000 men.

Roman citizens made good soldiers because they were brought up to value loyalty, courage, and respect authority.

Rewards- soldiers who showed courage in battle were given gifts and praise.

Punishments- If a unit fled in battle 1 out of every 10 men in the unit would have been put to death.

Rome is Just with Conquered Lands

Rome generally treated its conquered enemies justly.

Conquered people had to:

Acknowledge Roman leadership

Pay taxes

Supply soldiers for the Roman army

They were allowed to keep their own customs, money, and local government.

Some people were granted full Roman citizenship.

The Punic Wars