Ancient Rome and Early Christianity

Unit 2

Objective:

Trace the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and analyze its impact on culture, government and religion.

What Do We Already Know About Ancient Rome?

Why Study Ancient Rome?ｷｷ Romance languages trace origins to language of Romans. ｷｷ The U.S. is a republican government. Rome set the stage for

these republics.ｷｷ Christianity arose during the Roman empire, and is still one of

the world’s main religions.ｷｷ Tensions between rich and poor affect society today, as they

did in the days of the patricians and the plebeians.ｷｷ Classical sculpture and architecture admired and copied todayｷｷ Greek and Roman mythology is still widely readｷｷ Civil service still existsｷｷ Sporting events, though not as violent as gladiator games,

remain popular

The Roman Republic

Origins of RomeThe Early Republic

Questions of the Day Why do we study Ancient Rome? Why do you think the myth of Romulus

and Remus has endured for so long? How did geography influence Rome’s

development? How was Rome a multicultural society? What are some similarities and differences

between plebeians and patricians? What is the advantage to writing down the

laws in Rome?

The Origins of Rome Legend says that Romulus and Remus

founded Rome in 753 B.C. Twin sons of god Mars and a Latin

princess Twins were abandoned by Tiber River

Raised by a she-wolf Decided to build a city near that

location

Romulus and Remus

In reality, men founded Rome

Strategic location

Fertile soil On river

Rome’s Geography Italy

Peninsula surrounded by Mediterranean Sea Shaped like a boot

Rome Built on 7 rolling hills at the curve of Tiber

River Green countryside Center of Italian peninsula - halfway between

Alps and southern point In the middle of the Mediterranean Sea

Rome’s Geography How do you think geography

influenced Rome’s development? How is the geography different

from Greece?

“Not without reason did gods and men choose this spot for the site of our city – the (salubrious) hills, the river to bring us

produce from the inland regions and sea-borne commerce from abroad, the sea

itself, near enough for convenience, yet not so near as to bring danger from any foreign fleets, our situation in the very heart of Italy – all these advantages make it of all places in the world the best for a city destined to

grow great.”– Livy “Early History of Rome”

The First Romans Earliest settlers

enter Italy during prehistoric times

1000-500 B.C. Indo-European tribes enter Italy from the North Battled for

control

Three Tribes LATINS

Built original settlement at Rome

Huts atop one of the 7 hills

Palatine Hill Considered

the first Romans

GREEKS Established

colonies in S. Italy and Sicily 750-600 B.C.

Prosperous, commercially active cities

Brought Italy in close contact with Greeks

ETRUSCANS Native to

Northern Italy Metalworkers

and engineers Writing system Rome adopted

their alphabet Influenced

architecture

Early Roman Government 600 B.C. - Etruscan king took power in Rome Over next 100 years, Rome grew from hilltop

villages to a city covering 500 sq. miles Kings ordered construction of temples, public

centers Most famous = Forum, center of Rome’s political life

Last king, Tarquin the Proud - a harsh tyrant Overthrown in 509 B.C.

Ended Roman monarchy

The Early Roman Republic Romans replaced monarchy with a

REPUBLIC REPUBLIC - A form of government in which

power rests with the citizens who had the right to vote for their leaders

From Latin “res publica” meaning public affairs

Free-born male citizens could vote

Patricians and Plebeians In the early

Roman Republic, different groups struggled for power Patricians Plebeians

Patricians and Plebeians PATRICIANS

Wealthy landowners Had most of power Inherited power,

social status Claimed ancestry =

authority to make laws for Rome

PLEBEIANS Farmers, artisans,

merchants Majority of

population Had the right to vote Barred by law from

holding high government jobs

Patricians and Plebeians 494B.C. Allowed Plebeians

to: Form their own assembly Elect tribunes -

representatives / officers Power to veto unlawful

acts of magistrates Tribunes protected rights of

plebeians from unfair acts by patrician officials

Twelve Tables Plebeians soon forced the creation of a

written law code Without written laws, patrician officials could

interpret laws to suit themselves 451 B.C. - officials wrote down Rome’s laws

Written on 12 tablets (tables) Hung in Forum

Gave plebeians knowledge of their protection under the law

Questions of the Day Why do we study Ancient Rome? Why do you think the myth of Romulus and

Remus has endured for so long? How did geography influence Rome’s

development? How was Rome a multicultural society? What are some similarities and differences

between plebeians and patricians? What is the advantage to writing down the laws

in Rome?

For Next Class… Read Chapter 6, Section 1 Blog Post LATE WORK DUE BY FRIDAY!