Rise of the Romans

Geography of Rome

800 B.C.: small settlement called Rome built along Tiber River

Rome lies near the center of the Italian Peninsula

History of Italy

Region was called Latium, and people living there were called Latins

Language they spoke was called Latin.

Geography of Rome

• City’s hills provided natural defense from enemies

• Tiber River provided nearby port and transportation

• Rome was located on key trade routes

• Trade routes crossed the Tiber river

• Extends into Mediterranean Sea

• Mountains: Alps and Apennines

• Plenty of farming land and rivers to travel

The Founding of RomeLegends and Facts (P. 311)

• 1) According to legend, who founded the city of Rome?

• 2) Who were the mother and father of Rome’s founders?

• 3) In two paragraphs, summarize the story of Rome’s creation.

• 4) Why do you think that historians do not believe this legend?

• 5) What is it that archaeologists have discovered about Rome?

People of Italy Who influenced the Romans?

Greeks Etruscans

• Many Greeks had settled in the Italian Peninsula

• Greek Mythology influenced Roman mythology– Ex. Zeus became Jupiter

• Romans also adopted Greek legends and heroes

• Most powerful people in central Italy when Rome was founded

• Lived north of Latium

• Skilled artists and builders

• Sailed around Mediterranean

• Learned from Greeks and Phoenicians

Roman Society (P.322)

1) Define: patriarchal society

2) What could be some of the disadvantages of having a patriarchal society?

3) Define: paterfamilias

4) What kind of power did paterfamilias have?

Roman Society – Women (P.322)

Women in Rome Women in Greece

Life in Rome Rich and Poor (P.323)

Wealthy Romans Poor Romans

Life in RomeSlaves (P. 324)

What was life like for slaves in Rome? Provide detailed answers.

What was a famous example of slaves fighting back?

A Look at the

Roman Government

Early Roman Republic

Patricians Plebeians

• Wealthy Landowners

•Have a say in government

•Held military and religious positions

•Lower Class (workers)

•95% of people

•No say in government

•Served in the army

Forms of Government in the World

Monarchy rule by one person

Democracy rule by the people

Oligarchy rule by an elite few (aristocracy)

Dictatorship one person absolute rule

What are the pros and cons of each of these forms of government?

Roman Government Before the Republic

Rome began as an independent city-state led by monarchs Kings (monarchs) ruled with much power

Leader of army Main Priest Supreme Judge

Monarchs built first buildings in the Forum Kings ruled with consent from wealthy aristocrats.

Senate (“Old Man”): Older, wealthy men who advised the king in important matters.

Opinion: Why do you think that Roman kings needed the approval from wealthy Roman aristocrats?

Tarquin the ProudThe Last of the Roman Kings

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus 7th and final king of Rome Etruscan Origin Mistreatment of his people led to

rebellion by Brutus and aristocrats. After him, Rome became a republic

Citizens have the right to vote and elect officials

Do you think that people in the United States would allow for a king to rule them? Why or why not?

The Roman Republic

Romans chose a complex government, which included:

Roman Constitution System of laws by which a government is organized

Rule of law Law Applied to everyone written laws to protect themselves and their liberty 12 Tables

Mixed government combined strengths of all forms of governments

Roman Republic Also Included

Three branches Assemblies, Senate, and Magistrate

Separation of powers no one group has all the power Each branch had different responsibilities and powers One branch could stop (check) another branch from misusing power

Limited Power for Officials in Government Two consuls instead of a top leader Each consul could cancel the action of the other (veto power) Government officials were chosen for one year Why was a veto power necessary for Roman consuls?

The Roman RepublicThe System of Checks and Balances

Monarchical Aristocratic Democratic

Magistrates2 Consuls +

(elected officials)

Senate Assemblies

Directed government and army Acted as judgesActed as chief priest

Controlled state budget Could pass lawsAdvised ConsulsPowerful Part of Government

Approved/rejected laws Decided on WarCould veto actions of magistrateOpen to Plebeians

Basis of power: need for leadership

Basis of power: members were richest men in Rome.

Basis of power: provided most of the soldiers

Limits on power: one year termeach could veto

Limits on power: could not control army

Limits on power: Could not suggest laws

AssembliesDemocratic part of governmentAll adult males could participateElected officials and passed lawsHad power because it was composed by

most Roman citizens, who were the soldiers at the time.

1.1. 300 men300 men

2.2. Chosen for lifeChosen for life

3.3. Advise ConsulAdvise Consul

4.4. Deal with other countriesDeal with other countries

5.5. Proposes lawsProposes laws

6.6. Approve public worksApprove public works

7.7. Deal with daily government Deal with daily government problemsproblems

Senate Senate ““old men”old men”

The Magistrate

The Race of Honors: How to Become a Consul

Lower Offices of Magistrates

Quaestor Aedile

Elected by popular vote (patricians and plebeians)

Financial officerKept track of the

state’s money

If a quaestor did well, he could seek election as an aedile

Duties:Public buildingsPublic Games

Offices of the MagistrateTribune of the

Plebs PraetorsDefend lives &

property of plebeiansGathered plebeians

to AssemblyCould veto laws10 elected annually

8 elected annuallyJudicial dutiesGathered SenateSupervise defense of

RomeGovern province

after term

1.1. Top government officialsTop government officials

2.2. Two chosen every year Two chosen every year

3.3. Headed the army and ran the Headed the army and ran the governmentgovernment

4.4. Served for a short term, avoiding risk of Served for a short term, avoiding risk of abusing powerabusing power

5. Veto Power • The right of the consul to reject the The right of the consul to reject the

other’s decision. Latin for “I forbid”other’s decision. Latin for “I forbid”

ConsulsConsuls

Occasional Magistrates

DictatorNamed by the Senate in times of emergencyServed only for 6 months but had complete

power

Why do you think that during times of emergency (ex. War) Romans would want to give power to only one man?

SenateSenate

AssemblyAssembly

ConsulsConsuls

Dictator Dictator

..How the Republic WorksHow the Republic WorksDivision of PowerDivision of Power

1 person1 person

2 men2 men

300 members

300 members

Rest of

Rest of population

population

The Roman Forum

Center of political, commercial and judicial life in ancient Rome.

Basilicas were buildings at the forum where legal cases were heard.

When they built other cities, Romans would usually build a forum at the center