Geography and History of ancient RomeMagister RicardRome: From Village to Empire

Pre-Roman ItalyThere are two main populaces on the paeninsulaThe Greeks (Magna Graecia)The Etruscans (modern day Tuscany, south of the Po Valley)The rest of Italy at this time was a quilt of tribes and their languages and culturesThe Latium plain (Lazio, today) is the site of the Romans, who were another Latin tribeLocated among the Alban hills with the sea the the West and the Tiber River running through it

Influences of the etruscanson early RomeThe Heritage of the Etruscans

The EtruscansOne of the major civilizations found in Italy at this time, during the 700s BC, was the EtruscansTheir origins are a mysterySome say they came from the eastern Mediterranean (Herodotus)Some say they came from the northArchaeology points to a native Italian culture that was urbanized through contact with the Greeks during this time

How much influence did the Etruscans have?There seems to be scant evidence for an Etruscan “empire”The Etruscans were not politically unifiedThey had a league of 12 Cities, often warring with one anotherShared common language and religionMain areas of influence were religion, statecraft and architectureRomans learned how to build the arch from the Etruscans

From Myth and Legend to RealityThe Founding of Rome

Romulus and RemusAccording to legend, Rome was founded by Romulus, the grandson of King NumitorKing Numitor’s brother, King Amulius, overthrew Numitor , imprisoned him and killed all of his children except a daughterShe would have twins born to her by the god Mars Romulus and Remus grew up and freed NumitorBut Romulus would eventually kill his brother Remus in an argument over who had the more powerful city

Aeneas and the Founding of RomeThere is a second foundation story, from a Hellenized sourceAeneas was a prince of Troy who escaped with his father and son to “find a new Troy”Described to us in the poem by Vergil called “The Aenead”United Romulus/Remus myth as descendants of Aeneas

An Agrarian SocietyFor the most part, the area around Rome was advantageous and rich in resourcesEvidence indicates it was inhabited as early as 1500 BCThe early societies and tribes were mostly farmers

A shift in how government works in ItalyFrom Kingdom to Res Publica

Liberation and the Res PublicaAfter being ruled over by the Etruscans for many generations, the Romans finally fight for their freedom in 509 BCSince its founding in 753BC, Roman tradition held that it was ruled by 5 kingsThe last of which was TarquinusSuperbus or Tarquin the Arrogant, an Etruscan

Res Publica and BrutusTarquinusSuperbus had a son, who raped a woman named LucretiaLucretia had a kinsman named LuciusJunius BrutusBrutus lead the revolt against the king, and the Romans won their freedomThe res publicawas born

Republican GovernmentNot a direct democracy, but a representative form of governmentTwo ConsulsSeveral other magistrate positions (censors, aediles, tribunes, etc.)The Senate (no legal power)Tribal Assemblies (voting blocks)

Social Structure During the RepublicSociety was stratifiedPatricians (aristocratic class, wealthy, held power)Plebeians (citizens, but had no real political power – could not vote)Slaves (had no rights, were regarded as property)

The 12 TablesGranted power and rights to the PlebeiansBestowed a special public office, tribunisplebisThis office could veto, was sacrosanctDecreed in 450 BC

Expansion of Rome During the RepublicGradually, Rome expanded her powerExtending throughout the Italian peninsula

Roman Expansion During the RepublicRome continues to expand into the 3rd century, bringing the islands of Corsica and Sardinia under its control

Competition in the Mediterranean

CarthagoDelendaEstThe Romans would defeat the Carthaginians, their greatest rivalsMany would debate internally if this was a good thingAt the Plain of Zama, the Roman forces would wipe away the Carthaginians, destroy their city and sow the ground with salt so that no one would ever be able to grow crops there again

The death of Julius Caesar and the rise of augustus and the principateThe Empire Strikes…Back

Breakdown in the SystemThe Republic begins to breakdownAmbitious young statesmen begin to appeal to the mob to get strong political backingThe first time bloodshed is spilled in politics in Rome (Tiberius Gracchus)Some begin to use the army as a means to gain officeMarius, Sulla, Cinna, Pompey the Great, and finally Julius CaesarThings get very dark, very fast

The Problem of CaesarWho was Julius Caesar?What was his agenda?Was he for the people? Or did he simply use them to gain power?He was a member of the First Triumvirate (Crassus, Pompey and Caesar)He fought in Gaul and expanded Rome’s territory by almost a thirdThis made him very popular – and dangerous

Et tu, Brute?Caesar would be murdered on March 15th, 44 BC A group of idealistic conspirators thought they were protecting the Res Publica from dictator perpetuusLead by Marcus Junius Brutus, whose ancestor is the same LuciusJunius Brutus the started the revolt in 509 BC that began the republicThis move ended up creating two factions within Caesar’s coalitionOne supporting Marc AntonyThe other supporting Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus

Civil War and AugustusA long civil war erupts and a showdown between Antony’s forces and Octavian’s forces resultsAt the Battle of Actium, and anti-climatic naval battle sees Octavian victoriousAntony goes on to die in the Egyptian way, along with CleopatraOctavian is later named “Augustus” and princeps, making him the first citizen of RomeThe Empire is born

Various maps illustrating important periods in Roman HistoryTouring Rome

The Rise of Christianity

The Spread of Christianity

Roman Control: All Roads Lead to Rome

Crisis At the Borders

Rome Is Split into Two

Interrogationes!Review Questions

AssessmentDirections: Take out a sheet of paper and head it correctly. Write down these questions and using your notes, answer the questions.What were the two main civilizations found on the Italian peninsula prior to Roman civilization?Where were these two civilizations located on the peninsula?What are some of the stories and theories associated with the arrival of the Etruscans?List two things the Etruscans developed that influenced the Romans.What was the name of the twin boys, one of whom would go on to create the city of Rome?What was the name of the prince who helped found the Roman people and where did he come from?What is the difference between a monarchy and a republic?What was the name of the rival civilization that Rome destroyed in the Mediterranean? The final battle was fought at the Plain of Zama.What was the name of Julius Caesar’s heir? What is he best known for? Hint: he was the first of something in Rome.