2. The Geography of Rome
Why did the Greatest Empire the
World has ever seen start here?
3. Geography plays a role in Empire
”Perfect Location”
1. Isolated
- Alps to the North
-The Apennine Mts.
“Spine of Italy”
- city of the seven hills15 miles from the coast
along the Tiber River
2. Rich Soil
- grains to harvest & trade
3. Access to the Sea
“Mare Nastran”
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4. Roman Geography
Rome is located:
The Seven Hills
-On the banks of the Tiber River
-On and around seven hills
Why would this
geographic
location be an
advantage?
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7. The Struggle for Rome
• 753 BCE - founding
• Romulus and Remus
founded the city
• Raised by a wolf
• mother – Latin(Rhea)
• father - War God Mars
• (Latins)Romans believed
they had a divine origin
• Fight to the Death
• Romulus Picked a good
spot by the 7 Hills
8. Connection with Greece :
Founding by Aeneas
• Fled Troy during
the Illiad
• Then Settled Rome
• The Aeneid –
written by Virgil
9. Early Civilization
-Italy
was originally occupied by many
different groups of people
-Two main groups
1) Greek Colonists
2) The Etruscans
-The Etruscans ruled much of central Italy and Rome itself
-Ancestors of the Romans, the Latins(Indo-European)
settled in the area that is now Rome around 800 B.C.
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10. Etruscans Take over the Latin's
• By 600’s BCE
• Taught the Latin’s :
1. Encouraged Trade
2. The Use of the Arch
11. Influence of the Etruscans
Writing
Religion
The Arch
Encouraged Trade
12. Etruscan Rule
• King – Senate{Latin Nobles}
who advised the King
These hardworking Latin Farmers
wanted their independence
13. Roman Republic
509-27 BCE
• Overthrew Last Etruscan King in 509 BCE
- Tarquinius Superbus
• Republic – Elected officials Govern w/ Rule of Law
- hated the Idea of a king
- hero: Cincinnatus / The George Washington of the Romans
• 2 groups of Citizens – Patricians & Plebeians
14. Republican Government
2 Consuls
(Rulers of Rome)
Senate
(Representative body for patricians)
- Wealthy Aristocrats
- Had all the rights at first
(later this is added)
Tribal Assembly
(Representative body for plebeians)
- commoners / tradesmen & small farmers
15. Structure of the Republic
-Patricians= landholding upper class
-Plebeians= farmers, merchants,
artisans, traders
Patricians
-Senate= governing body
-Consuls= two patricians
-Dictator= in charge
in the event of a war for six months
- The Twelve Tables – Written Const.
Plebeians
16. Religion
-Romans were Polytheistic-they believed in many gods
-Many of the gods were adapted from the Greek gods
Greek God
Roman God
Zeus-ruler of all gods
Jupiter-ruler of all gods
Hera-wife of Zeus, protected marriage
Juno-wife of Jupiter, protected marriage
Poseidon-god of the sea
Neptune-god of the sea
-Roman calendar is full of feasts and celebrations to
honor the gods and goddesses
-Temples for worship to ask for divine assistance
17. The Republic Begins to Expand
• By 265 BCE – Romans
control entire Italian
Peninsula
- Etruscans Defeated
- Greek Cities Defeated
• Began to look outside of Italy
• Subjected Peoples
1. Forfeit independent
Foreign Policy
2. Provide Troops to Army
Otherwise they didn’t force changes in customs/religion
18. The Roman Army
• All Citizens who Owned Property
ages 17-46
• Phalanx until 300’s BCE
• Gaul's had sacked and Burned
Rome in 390 BCE
• Developed Legion System
• Highly Disciplined & Well Trained
• Shield & Thrusting Sword
• Became unbeatable in battle
21. The Immovable Force
• Maniples – small elastic groups of soldiers
• Cohorts – 600 men / 10 per legion
• Legion – 6,000 men
- its own miniature army
(infantry/ cavalry /archers/ ballistics)
Roman had over 30 legions at its height
26. The Punic Wars
• Latin Word for “Phoenician”
Rome v Carthage
• Rome – Looking to extend power
into the Mediterranean
• Carthage – Feared their trade
would be threatened
28. 1st Punic War 264-241 BCE
Sicily is the Prize /Strait of Messina
29. Roman Ingenuity
•
•
•
•
Rome’s strong army
Carthage’s strong navy
Romans are losing hundreds of ships
Devise a way to fight land battles at sea
- practical thinkers
• Sicily becomes their 1st Province
32. nd
2
Punic War
219-202 BCE
• “Rome v The Man”
• Hannibal
• Father Taught him to
hate the Romans
• Plan - Attack Rome
- Sagenta (spain)
Crossed the Alps
- Cannae (italy)
Defeated the Romans
but couldn’t destroy
Rome
35. Hannibal is Defeated
• Roman’s make Fabius Maximus – Dictator
- employed hit & run tactics
- never all out battle
- attack supply routes in Spain
• Hannibal ravages the countryside – 10yrs
• Romans open a 2nd front /Invade Carthage
- Hannibal retreats to defend home
• Battle of Zama – 202 BCE
- Gen. Scipio defeats the Carthaginians
37. Peace Terms
1. Carthage must give up Navy
2. Pay annual Tribute to Rome
3. Surrender holdings on Iberian Pen.
- Carthage is not Destroyed
Many Romans Call for Destruction
Iraq “Gulf War” 1990
Iraq Invaded again 2003
38. 3rd Punic War
149-146 BCE
• Romans Siege Carthage-Surrender
1. Enslaved entire Population
2. Burn the City to the Ground
3. Sewed the Fields with Salt
Roman Legions make more gains
1. Macedonia
2. Greece
3. Egypt(allied)
By 133 BCE – Imperial Republic
spread across the Med.
39. The Punic Wars
-Rome fought Carthage in
three wars from 264 B.C. to
146 B.C. (118 years!)
-Results
Carthage was completely
destroyed and Rome gained all
their territory
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