Expansion of the Roman Empire led to increased trade but also unemployment as Roman farmers struggled to compete with imports. After most farmers lost their jobs, they moved to cities looking for work but found few opportunities due to competition from slaves. The Punic Wars further aided expansion as Rome gained territory. Rome is located in central Italy and built on seven hills surrounded by mountains. Most Romans lived in overcrowded, run-down apartment buildings with rents increasing with each additional floor climbed. The First Punic War began in 264 BCE between Rome and Carthage in Sicily, where Rome prevailed despite its lack of a strong navy. Christianity eventually became the dominant religion in Rome. It attracted qualified leaders who helped address

1. Geography

2. Expansion Expansion lead to trade all around the Roman empire. Expansion made alot of romans lose their jobs because other roman framers sold more for less. After most of the farmers were broke they went looking for jobs, but slaves had all of the jobs The Punic Wars help expansion when they won.

3. Location Rome is located near the center of the Italian peninsula. Rome was built on seven hills. The surroundings of Rome has the great Appennies mountains.

4. Urban Decay Most romans weren’t wealthy they lived in 10 story apartment buildings. The third floor was $400 a year. The more old stairs had to be climbed the less rent. Anyone that couldn’t pay was kicked onto the crime infested streets.

5. Punic War The first Punic war was in 264b.c.e when it was Carthage vs. Rome. It took place in Sicily in a town called Messina. Although Carthage had a good navy,and Rome didn’t they had well trained armies.

6. Religion

7. Roman Beliefs Romans believe to have their family cremated and retain their ashes in a urn. They believe in having more than one place to worship their gods. Romans also sacrifice animals at religious ceremonies to please their gods.

8. Christianity Christians believe in one god and only one. Christians have no interests in war. Christians also believe to worship in one building.

9. Judaism Jews do not believe in having their family cremated. They believe to have their family buried together. They do not believe to have their animals sacrificed because they do not kill animals. Jews also do not believe to fight in war because they don’t kill fellow people.

10. Etruscan beliefs Etruscans believe that god gave them signs of nature. They believe there was a good harvest based on the flight of birds. They also tried to interpret lightning before they went into battle.

11. Achievements

12. Spread of Christianity Christianity became the religion of Rome. Christian churches attracted many qualified leaders that dealt with problems of the empire. Christianity produced dramatic changes in roman society when barbarian invasions increased.

13. Aqueducts Roman people invented a water system by using underground pipes. Aqueducts made civilization possible. The Roman people invented the aqueducts which helps growing crops.

14. Concrete Roads The Romans built concrete roads so they can get from place to place or city to city. The concrete roads made trade better around the empire. Every road back then connected to Rome because they called it the center of the world.

15. Latin Language Latin was understood by the whole empire. Latin was the main language of Rome. Many of our words today come from the latin roots.

16. Politics

17. Political Corruption Romans never created an effective system to determine how to choose an emperor. The new emperors praetorian guard gained complete authority to choose emperor. During those 500 years Rome had 37 emperors and 27 of them were assassinated.

18. Excessive Military Spending Military spending left a few resources for other activities. The government found it necessary to rely on increasing military spending. Some people believe this helped the fall of Rome.

19. Rule of Law The second basic principle was the rule of law in the roman constitution. The Romans liked the idea of their laws were written down on paper. One of the laws was that was altered in445b.c was to allow plebeians marry patricians.

20. Hadrian Hadrian built the most famous wall barrier of his time that was 80 mile long stone structure. Hadrian used is energy to make improvements in the government and in the empire. Hadrian traveled through the empire to listen to concerns of inhabitants of each province.

21. Economy

22. Inflation The Roman economy suffered from inflation in the beginning after Marcus Aurelius. Once Rome stopped fighting for land the economy decreased. Many Romans in the end started to barter than the used coins.

23. Trade Trade was very popular throughout the empire. Trade was big when Rome expanded. Some of the items that they traded were statuses of bronze and exotic plants for silks and other wonderful goods.

24. Unemployment When Rome expanded there were more unemployed Romans. Slave owners sell more crops for less and still get more money. The Roman emperor had to feed more than 100,000 people just in Rome.

25. Farming Farming was the main supply for food. When Rome expanded alot of their buyers went to other farmers that charge less. When farmers looked for other jobs the slaves mostly had all of the jobs.

26. Social Structures

27. Patricians Patrons which are patricians assisted to help poor plebeians. The relationship of the Patrons and clients began a republic. This offered Patricians to help the clients and receive something in return.

28. Plebeians Clients were usually poor plebeians. Plebeians provided money and other form of aid such as help legal matters. These relationships were deeply woven into fabric of Roman society.

29. Role of Men The Roman men were the main focus of the family. Men had total control of his wife,children,and slaves. As head of the household they had absolute power.

30. Role of Women Roman women took advantage over greek property that allowed to be owned by women. The most important job for women was to take care of children. When Rome gained more wealth the wealthy women gained more freedom.