The document provides background on the legendary beginnings of Rome and the geography of Italy. It describes how Romulus and Remus founded Rome in 753 BCE after being saved by a she-wolf as infants. The city was named Rome after Romulus killed his brother Remus during a dispute. The Etruscan kings who ruled Rome made contributions like constructing the city walls, Forum, and Cloaca Maxima sewage system. The last Etruscan king was overthrown in 509 BCE, marking the beginning of the Roman Republic. The Republic had elements of democracy and representative government, but excluded women, slaves and others from full participation.

1. Legendary BeginningsLegendary Beginnings
of Romeof Rome
……and a bit of Romanand a bit of Roman
GeographyGeography

2. Roman/Italian GeographyRoman/Italian Geography
Italy is aItaly is a bootboot-shaped-shaped peninsulapeninsula thatthat
juts into thejuts into the Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea

3. Roman/Italian GeographyRoman/Italian Geography
Three major advantages:Three major advantages:
1. Mediterranean Sea1. Mediterranean Sea
 Offers protection from invasionOffers protection from invasion
 Access to sea-going trade routesAccess to sea-going trade routes

4. Roman/Italian GeographyRoman/Italian Geography
2. The Alps:2. The Alps: An arc of mountainsAn arc of mountains
that protects the peninsula from anthat protects the peninsula from an
invasion from the northinvasion from the north

5. Roman/Italian GeographyRoman/Italian Geography
3.3. Centrally located in the Mediterranean BasinCentrally located in the Mediterranean Basin
far from eastern Mediterranean powersfar from eastern Mediterranean powers
(Persian and Hellenistic Empires).(Persian and Hellenistic Empires).
Persian andPersian and
HellenisticHellenistic
EmpiresEmpires

6. VirgilVirgil
VirgilVirgil – a poet, the Roman– a poet, the Roman
equivalent to Homerequivalent to Homer
HisHis AeneidAeneid can be considered acan be considered a
national epic of Rome. Itnational epic of Rome. It
traces the legendary beginningstraces the legendary beginnings
of Rome back to Aeneas, aof Rome back to Aeneas, a
Trojan prince who brought hisTrojan prince who brought his
people to Italy after Troy waspeople to Italy after Troy was
destroyed in the Trojan War.destroyed in the Trojan War.

7. Romulus and RemusRomulus and Remus
 Twin brothers descended from AeneasTwin brothers descended from Aeneas
 Grandsons of KingGrandsons of King NumitorNumitor, King of, King of
an Italian city-state.an Italian city-state.

8. Legendary BeginningsLegendary Beginnings
Numitor’s brotherNumitor’s brother
tried to deposetried to depose
the king and hadthe king and had
the twins thrownthe twins thrown
into theinto the TiberTiber
River.River. The twinsThe twins
were saved by awere saved by a
she-wolf.she-wolf.

9. Legendary BeginningsLegendary Beginnings
When the twins grew up, they restored theirWhen the twins grew up, they restored their
grandfather to his throne and then foundedgrandfather to his throne and then founded
a new city ona new city on Palentine HillPalentine Hill, above the river, above the river
in 753 BCE. And what do you think theyin 753 BCE. And what do you think they
named that city?!?!??!?!?named that city?!?!??!?!?

10. How did Rome get its name?How did Rome get its name?
 Romulus erected a wall around the city.Romulus erected a wall around the city.
Remus, being the annoying brother, tried toRemus, being the annoying brother, tried to
assert his leadership byassert his leadership by mocking the wallmocking the wall
and leaping over it.and leaping over it.
 In true brotherly fashion,In true brotherly fashion,
Romulus killedRomulus killed his brother.his brother.
 Guess what? The city becameGuess what? The city became
known asknown as RomeRome instead of Remus.instead of Remus.

11. Quick CheckQuick Check
What are 3 major advantages of the location of Rome?What are 3 major advantages of the location of Rome?
a.a. Mediterranean Sea, Alps, Central locationMediterranean Sea, Alps, Central location
b.b. Adriatic Sea, Himalayas, Central locationAdriatic Sea, Himalayas, Central location
c.c. Mediterranean Sea, Himalayas, Eastern locationMediterranean Sea, Himalayas, Eastern location
d.d. Adriatic Sea, Alps, VirgilAdriatic Sea, Alps, Virgil
Virgil was a Roman poet who wrote what epic?Virgil was a Roman poet who wrote what epic?
a.a. IlliadIlliad
b.b. AeneidAeneid
c.c. HomerHomer
d.d. Roman TimesRoman Times

12. Legendary BeginningsLegendary Beginnings
Legendary Kings (753-509 BCE)Legendary Kings (753-509 BCE)
 Many of these kings wereMany of these kings were EtruscanEtruscan
 No written records exist from that time.No written records exist from that time.
 Histories about the kings were writtenHistories about the kings were written
during the Empire based on legends.during the Empire based on legends.
 As we saw in bothAs we saw in both China and GreeceChina and Greece,,
some of these legends have an elementsome of these legends have an element
in archaeological truth.in archaeological truth.

13. Legendary BeginningsLegendary Beginnings
Etruscans were aEtruscans were a
people who occupiedpeople who occupied
the territories in whatthe territories in what
is nowis now NorthernNorthern
ItalyItaly and are thoughtand are thought
to have originated into have originated in
the near eastthe near east
(perhaps Persians or(perhaps Persians or
PhoeniciansPhoenicians?).?).

14. Legendary BeginningsLegendary Beginnings
The kings had a great influence on Roman culturalThe kings had a great influence on Roman cultural
and physical development. Skilled at urbanand physical development. Skilled at urban
planning,planning, engineeringengineering and waterworks.and waterworks.
Projects attributed to the Etruscan kingsProjects attributed to the Etruscan kings
1.1. The building ofThe building of city wallscity walls (Urban planning)(Urban planning)
2.2. The engineering of theThe engineering of the ForumForum
3.3. The construction of the great drain to channelThe construction of the great drain to channel
both rainfall andboth rainfall and sewage into the Tibersewage into the Tiber..

15. Roman WallsRoman Walls

16. The ForumThe Forum

17. Cloaca MaximaCloaca Maxima
Cloaca Maxima: One of the world’s earliestCloaca Maxima: One of the world’s earliest
sewage systemssewage systems. Built some 3,000 years ago. Built some 3,000 years ago
and still in use today…Just think, when inand still in use today…Just think, when in
Rome, your poop can be using the SAMERome, your poop can be using the SAME
channels as Julius Caesar’s poop!channels as Julius Caesar’s poop!

18. Etruscan ArtEtruscan Art

19. Body of a lioness, tail of
a serpent and a goat
rising out of the back.
Earliest known
literary reference to
the creature was in
Homer’s Iliad
Chimera

20. Legendary EndingsLegendary Endings
Legendary Kings (753-509 BCE)Legendary Kings (753-509 BCE)
The last Etruscan king wasThe last Etruscan king was
overthrown inoverthrown in 509 BCE509 BCE. It is this. It is this
date that marks thedate that marks the beginning ofbeginning of
thethe Roman RepublicRoman Republic..

21. Quick CheckQuick Check
Etruscan kings were credited with which of the following?Etruscan kings were credited with which of the following?
a.a. Rural planning, engineering, jewelryRural planning, engineering, jewelry
b.b. Urban planning, engineering, waterworksUrban planning, engineering, waterworks
c.c. Suburban planning, electricity, waterworksSuburban planning, electricity, waterworks
d.d. Urban planning, engineering, waterspoutsUrban planning, engineering, waterspouts
Which one of the following would not have been at theWhich one of the following would not have been at the
Forum?Forum?
a.a. ShopsShops
b.b. Government buildingsGovernment buildings
c.c. TemplesTemples
d.d. Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea

22. The Roman RepublicThe Roman Republic
509 BCE – 1st Century BCE509 BCE – 1st Century BCE

23. RepublicRepublic
 Definition: literally “Definition: literally “a thing of thea thing of the
people”people”
 Some officials were chosen by theSome officials were chosen by the
people - democraticallypeople - democratically
The result thatThe result that
Romans WantedRomans Wanted
1 Person1 Person
Too Much PowerToo Much Power

24. SenateSenate
 Most powerful governing body in the earlyMost powerful governing body in the early
Republic.Republic. Make the lawsMake the laws (just like our(just like our
Senate in U.S.)Senate in U.S.)
 300300 membersmembers - all- all PatriciansPatricians
Patricians -Patricians - Landholding upper classLandholding upper class
(Remember those Aristocrats in Greece? They too were(Remember those Aristocrats in Greece? They too were
the landholding upper class)the landholding upper class)
 SenatorsSenators served for lifeserved for life: living the easy life!: living the easy life!

25. ConsulsConsuls
 Each year, the senate would elect 2Each year, the senate would elect 2 consuls forconsuls for
1 year terms!1 year terms!
 ConsulsConsuls were responsible forwere responsible for
Running governmentRunning government
 Enforced the lawsEnforced the laws
The commanding of the armiesThe commanding of the armies
 Consuls had to consult with the rest of theConsuls had to consult with the rest of the
senate. (Ever try getting 300 people to agree onsenate. (Ever try getting 300 people to agree on
something? Not an easy task to be a Consul!)something? Not an easy task to be a Consul!)

26. ConsulsConsuls
Consuls had limited power becauseConsuls had limited power because
 They had to consult with the SenateThey had to consult with the Senate
 They had short terms.They had short terms.
1st instance of CHECKS on government1st instance of CHECKS on government
powers!powers!

27. DictatorsDictators
 In the event of anIn the event of an emergencyemergency (in other(in other
words…war), the Senate might choosewords…war), the Senate might choose
a dictator who would have completea dictator who would have complete
control over the government, butcontrol over the government, but
ONLY for 6 monthsONLY for 6 months! Can’t do it in 6! Can’t do it in 6
months? They’ll find someone else!months? They’ll find someone else!
 Remember…Those Romans were aRemember…Those Romans were a
bit on edge!bit on edge!
1 Person1 Person
Too Much PowerToo Much Power

28. SocietySociety
Plebians
Patricians
slaves
Nobility
Conquered
people, not
based on race
Tradesmen,
merchants,
small farmers

29. PlebeiansPlebeians
The PLEBSThe PLEBS
TheThe “common” folk“common” folk who made up the bulk of society!who made up the bulk of society!
~tradesmen, farmers, merchants~~tradesmen, farmers, merchants~
 Originally,Originally, onlyonly patricians could serve in government or bepatricians could serve in government or be
senators.senators.
Can you guess who the laws benefittedCan you guess who the laws benefitted
in Roman society?!?!?!in Roman society?!?!?!
 Plebeians had veryPlebeians had very little say in governmentlittle say in government..
 Over time, however, plebeians eventually gained more andOver time, however, plebeians eventually gained more and
more political power through Tribunes.more political power through Tribunes.

30. Twelve TablesTwelve Tables
450 BCE – Plebeians convinced450 BCE – Plebeians convinced
government togovernment to write down the laws ofwrite down the laws of
RomeRome on twelve tablets and have them seton twelve tablets and have them set
up in the Forum, or main, central square.up in the Forum, or main, central square.
Why it’sWhy it’s
Important:Important:
Laws becameLaws became publicpublic …Open to everyone!…Open to everyone!
Not every Roman knew the laws becauseNot every Roman knew the laws because
they were not previously written!they were not previously written!
This also gave plebeians theThis also gave plebeians the right to appealright to appeal
a judgment handed down by a patriciana judgment handed down by a patrician
judge.judge.

31. The Twelve
Tables codified
Roman laws
for the first
time.
(i.e. innocent
until proven
guilty concept)

32. Twelve TablesTwelve Tables
So what were some of the laws?So what were some of the laws?
 If you need a witness to testify and he will not showIf you need a witness to testify and he will not show
up, you can go once every three days and shout inup, you can go once every three days and shout in
front of his house.front of his house.
 A person who had been found guilty of giving falseA person who had been found guilty of giving false
witness shall be hurled down from the Tarpeian Rock.witness shall be hurled down from the Tarpeian Rock.
 A dreadfully deformed child shall be quickly killed.A dreadfully deformed child shall be quickly killed.
 A dead man shall not be buried or burned within theA dead man shall not be buried or burned within the
city.city.
 Marriages should not take place between plebeiansMarriages should not take place between plebeians
and patricians.and patricians.
Punishments included fines, exile, enslavement andPunishments included fines, exile, enslavement and
death. ~Citizens could exchange exile for death~death. ~Citizens could exchange exile for death~

33. Tribunes and VetoesTribunes and Vetoes
 TribunesTribunes – plebeians gained the right to elect– plebeians gained the right to elect
officials to protect their interests. Tribunesofficials to protect their interests. Tribunes
were their representatives.were their representatives.
 A tribune couldA tribune could vetoveto (literal definition:(literal definition: “I“I
forbid”)forbid”) laws that were harmful to plebeians.laws that were harmful to plebeians.
~Modern Day Connection~~Modern Day Connection~
Who has the right to veto in the U.S.?Who has the right to veto in the U.S.?
 Over time, plebeians gained the right to beOver time, plebeians gained the right to be
chosen as consuls, be appointed to higherchosen as consuls, be appointed to higher
offices, and even become senatorsoffices, and even become senators

34. Who was included in thisWho was included in this
Republic?Republic?
 PatriciansPatricians
 PlebeiansPlebeians
 Selected foreignersSelected foreigners
Who was considered a citizen?Who was considered a citizen?

35. Who was excluded in thisWho was excluded in this
Republic?Republic?
 WomenWomen
 AliensAliens
 SlavesSlaves
 ChildrenChildren

36. FamilyFamily
~Basic unit of Roman Society~~Basic unit of Roman Society~
 Under Roman law,Under Roman law, father had absolute powerfather had absolute power
 Wife was subject to his authorityWife was subject to his authority
 Women played larger roleWomen played larger role in society than in Greek womenin society than in Greek women
 Attend theater, went to public baths and dined out with husbands.Attend theater, went to public baths and dined out with husbands.
 ChildrenChildren were allwere all educatededucated (boys and girls)(boys and girls)

37. What was expected of citizens?What was expected of citizens?
1.1. PayPay taxestaxes: Show me the money $$$: Show me the money $$$
2.2. Serve in theServe in the militarymilitary

38. AssembliesAssemblies
 All citizens were expected toAll citizens were expected to
participate in theparticipate in the assembliesassemblies (remnants(remnants
of direct democracy)of direct democracy)
 Assemblies could:Assemblies could:
 pass lawspass laws
 elect magistrateselect magistrates
 declare wardeclare war

39.  Roman Government - althoughRoman Government - although limitedlimited
because many people were left out of thebecause many people were left out of the
process, the Roman Republic made majorprocess, the Roman Republic made major
strides in the development ofstrides in the development of
representative democracyrepresentative democracy, which became a, which became a
foundation of modern democracy.foundation of modern democracy.
Representative DemocracyRepresentative Democracy

40. Representative DemocracyRepresentative Democracy
 A democracy where voters (citizens) chooseA democracy where voters (citizens) choose
(usually by voting)(usually by voting) officials who representofficials who represent
their interests when making laws.their interests when making laws.
 An elected official who represents other citizensAn elected official who represents other citizens
interestsinterests
 TheThe US is a representative democracyUS is a representative democracy, it’s, it’s
also called a “republic.”also called a “republic.”