2. During the height of glory of the Greek city-states, Rome was a small
town on the Tiber River in the Italian Peninsula. The Romans were
among those who were influenced by Hellenic culture, having traded
with the Greek colonies in Sicily and southern Italy. But while
democracy, philosophy and artistic traditions were blossoming in
Greece, the Romans were among the first peoples in Europe to
establish a "republic" - a government without a king.
Introduction
3. THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
The founding of Rome was wrapped in legend that
started with the birth of the twins, Remus and Romulus.
According to myth, they were the children of the Roman
god Mars and a mortal princess. Their rivalry for power
caused them to be thrown into the Tiber River until they
were saved by a she-wolf. Roman Historian Livy (c.59
B.C.-17 C.E.) wrote that Romulus and Remus founded a
city in the Palatine Hill in 753 B.C . Eventually Romulos
killed Remus founded a city and was regarded as the
founder of Rome.
The Beginnings of Rome
4. THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
Although there was archaeological evidence of the
establishment of a settlement at the time mentioned by
Livy, Rome's history as a full-fledged city began
sometime in the 5th century B.C.The early settlers of
Rome were a people called Latins, one of many different
peoples living in the Italian Peninsula. They came in
contact with the Etruscans, another people who had
prospered in trade and lived northwest of Rome
The Beginnings of
Rome
5. Roman Society
During the reign of kings, the city of Rome was already
divided into three social classes: the patricians, the
plebeians, and the slaves. Wealthy landowners
themselves patricians, and they were the only ones to
hold political power. A 300 member council of patricians
called the Senate advises the Roman king, and also
elects among their ranks the successor to the king. The
senators were called patres, being the "father" of their
particular clan. The name patrician was derive from the
word patricii meaning "belonging to a family of patres"
6. The Expansion and
the Punic Wars
The citizens of Rome since the 6th
century B.C. had been trained in
military tactics and war
preparation by the Etruscans. After
the Republic was established,
Rome led in the formation of the
Latin League, an alliance of cities
in western Italy.
7. The Expansion and
the Punic Wars
But in 390 B.C., Rome was raided and taken
over by the Gauls, tribes from Germany and
France. The Romans were forced to pay gold
to redeem their republic. The Gaul invasion
taught Rome the urgency of constructing a
strong fort to protect the city. It also
compelled the Senate to require even
plebeians to serve in the army. Roman
peasants proved to be loyal and excellent
soldiers, able to march for miles while carrying
sixty pounds of armor, weapons and supplies.
8. The Expansion and
the Punic Wars
Rome's military power emboldened it to conquer lands
outside Italy. In its advance southward, the Romans
clashed with Carthage, a major city-state in North
Africa. Established by the Phoenicians, Carthage was a
major sea power,controlling large areas in the western
Mediterranean. From 246 B.C. until 146 B.C., Rome
became entangled in a series of wars against
Carthage, called the "Punic Wars" (from Poeni, the
original Phoenician name of Carthage). In the first
Punic War that lasted for 23 years (c.264- 241 B.C.),
the Romans's superior army and fleets seized the
islands of Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia, which became
the first provinces of Rome (or territories outside the
Italian peninsula).
9. The Expansion and
the Punic Wars
Carthage was forced to make peace with Rome but continued to
expand in Spain under the leadership of General Hamilear Barca
Carthaginian expansionism continued under Hannibal, son of
Hamilcar (c.247-183 B.C.). In 218 B.C.. Hannibal marched
together with 40,000 soldiers from Spain to Italy in an attempt
strike at Rome by invading from the north. This marked the start
of the Second Punic War. Through deceptive military tacties,
Hannibal defeated the Roman forees that engaged them in
Trebbia, the Trasimene River and Cannae in eastern Italy. He
dealt Rome her first humiliating defeat as four legions of Roman
soldier were captured or killed in Cannae, But Hannibal was
running out of arms and provisions and could not impregnate
the high fort of Rome.
10. The Expansion and
the Punic Wars
The third Punic War broke out in 149-
146 B.C. after Carthage invaded
Numidia, an ally of Rome. The Romans
burned the old Carthage to the ground,
enslaved the survivors and established
a province in the once mighty North
Africa
11. Despite Rome's military success, the
Republic weakened as various internal
crises hit it. The wealth accumulated by the
city from its expansionist wars resulted in
greater gulf between the ruling class and
the common people. Another factor was
the crisis in agriculture. During this period,
the landowners developed vast agricultural
lands which they called latifundia.
The crisis in agriculture was just one of the
problems faced by the Romans at that
time. Corruption and violence in the
government also became chronic and
these further weakened the republic. The
strike of the slaves and the presence of
civil wars also contributed to the situation.
THE FALL OF THE
REPUBLIC
12. At this time of crisis and disorder, the
power of the civilians weakened while the
power of some generals strengthened.
They got the support of the citizens who
sought to restore order in society. A group
of military leaders joined forces in 60 B.C
and it was called the First Triumvirate. It
consisted of three individuals: Gnaeus
Pompey,Julius Caesar and Marcus Crassus.
These events caused turmoil and ignited a
civil war anew in Rome. This time, the Second
Triumvirate was formed by three followers of
Caesar - Mark Anthony, a close friend of
Caesar, Lepidus, a former consul; and
Octavian adopted son of Caesar, to fight
against the mastermind behind the death of
Caesar. The Second Triumvirate won over
their opponents, but later on, Mark Anthony
and Octavian became rivals. Another civil war
broke between them.
THE FALL OF THE
REPUBLIC
13. The series of civil wars finally ended when
Octavian defeated his rivals in the Battle of
Actium in 31 B.C. By the end of the war,
Octavian became the first Roman emperor. The
Roman Republic had fallen and the rule of the
Roman Empire had begun.
THE FALL OF THE
REPUBLIC
15. During Octavian's reign, he used the title
Augustus Caesar and was acknowledged
as a perpetual consul. He also attempted
to show that the government he was
leading was still a republic. He did this by
using the title "princeps" which means
the first citizen.
16. There were great developments during
Augustus Caesar's governance. During
his Leadership, Rome sustained the
needs of its population, which had
reached one million.The empire was able
to provide basic services like roads and
water supply.It also provided education
for the majority of Romans.
17. Some of Augustus's relatives succeeded him as
emperor and built the Julio Claudian line. The
last Julio-Claudian emperor was Nero who
became popular because of his violent
persecution of Christians. When Nero died, the
military leaders fought against one another to
get the throne. In 98 C.E., an adoptive system
began where the current emperor would treat a
person whom he considered qualified to
become emperor as his son.
18. Pax Romana
The Romans established many cities in various parts of
the empire. The hysical structure of these cities,
including the system of roads and types of ilding, was
patterned after Rome. Latin was the language of the
empire, anc ecame the language of main cities. A single
currency system was used. As th mpire expanded, its
wealth increased. This period, which saw only a few
disturbances, was called Pax Romana and occurred from
27-180 C.E.
19. Pax Romana
Pax Romana refers to the period of peace and
wealth in many lands unde Roman Empire. At the
peak of the Roman Empire, the Mediterranean Sea
se to serve as the "lake of Rome" because of
Roman control and occupation of surrounding it.
The empire reached its widest territory in 116 C.E.
under Emp Trajan who reigned from 98-117 C.E.
20. Pax Romana
Pax Romana ended in 180 C.E. at the end of
adoptive system when Emperor Marcus
Aurelius chose his real son Commodus as
emperor. Commodus became a cruel ruler,
which caused his own soldier guards to kill
him.
22. Culture Inherited from
Greeks
It was claimed that the Roman
culture was based on the
Hellenistic civilization, It can be
seen in their artworks, law and
institutions. The Roman soldier
who were sent to the East were
exposed to Hellenistic culture
and they brought it to Rome.
23. Culture Inherited from
Greeks
Roman literature began in the
3rd century BC with a trace of
Greek influence. Realism
became an important factor in
Roman art. There were also
signs of Greek influence in
Roman mythology.
24. Culture Inherited from
Greeks
When you compare the gods of Greek and
Roman mythologies, you may see the
similarities. Jupiter, the Roman god was
adapted from Zeus, as well as Neptune and
Pluto that were patterned after Poseidon
and Hades respectively. Some of the
prominent writers in Rome are Virgil the
poet who wrote Aeneid, Horace who wrote
Odes, and the historian Livy who wrote the
Annals, the history of Rome since the
earliest times up to 9 B.C.
25. There was fierce rivalry between
the classes in Roman society.
There was a great gap between
the rich and the poor. During
the Roman Republic, class was
based on family background-
whether someone was plebeian
or patrician. During the Roman
Empire, wealth became the
basis of class.
Slave Society
Another basis for class was the
number of slaves one had. Many of
the slaves were poor peasants who
became indebted. When Rome
expanded, there was a greater
demand for slaves. Many of the
areas conquered by the Romans
became sources of slaves such as
prisoners-of- war.
26. In the history of Rome, many slaves did rise.
During 187 B.C. in Apulia, the first historical
revolt of slaves in the Italian Peninsula took
place. It was defeated quickly and 7,000
slaves were crucified. Also, there were two
massive uprising of slaves in Sicily, one from
134-132 B.C., and another one from 104-101
B.C. Many revolts of slaves occurred during the
reforms of the Gracchus brothers.
Slave Society
27. The fall of the Empire
The invasion of Rome by Germanic tribes began in 238 C.E. These were
ethnic groups from the norther parts of Europe and Central Asia. Because
they were not part of the empire, they partre considered barbarians by
the Romans. Most of the tribes belonged to a society whose economy
was based on herding. The tribe attacked the territorial boundaries of the
empire. Initially, they robbed and destroyed the cities that were far from
Rose. Some of these tribes were the Franks, Visigoths, Burgundians,
Saxons. Huns,and Vandals. This exterior problem was one of the
important factors in the decline of the Roman Empire.
28. The fall of the Empire
Roman Empire was frequently
attacked by various Germanic
tribes
Another problem was the extreme wealth of
the officers. Because of greed, the city
officials ignored the security of their towns.
Many generals, together with their soldiers,
attempted to build their own kingdoms. As a
result, the defense of the borders weakened
and Germanic tribes executed more attacks.
29. The Rise of Christianity
The Christian Church assumed a very important role at this epoch in
Western Europe's history. Christianity, which started as a small sect
in West Asia, was founded on the doctrines of Jesus of Nazareth, a
Jew who was born in Bethlehem in the year 6 B.C. Because of his
teachings that salvation is achieved through repentance and love of
God and one's fellowmen, he was said by many to be the Messiah
("God's chosen"). Jesus criticized the collusion between the Jewish
leaders and the Roman Empire. Because of this, the Jewish leaders
turned Jesus over to the Roman authorities on charges of treason
against the state. After a public trial, he was sentenced to be
crucified sometime in the year 30 C.E.
30. Jesus of Nazareth
and his followers
Upon his death, Jesus' disciples
propagated his teachings
despite persecution from Roman
officials.
The emperor Nero accused the
Christians of having started the fire that
almost burned down Rome in 64 C:E. But
in succeeding centuries, many people
embraced Christianity.
31. Jesus of Nazareth
and his followers
This condition only changed during Jesus of
Nazareth and his followers the time of
Constantine, the first Roman emperor to
embrace the foreign faith. According to legend,
Constantine's conversion happened in 312 Che
foreign be implored with the God of the
Christians to help him winner After praying, there
appeared a cross in the sky and a voice that said,
"By this sign, you sharaying constantine was
indeed victorious, and he eventually proclaimed
Christianity as the official religion of the Roman
Empire.
33. Because of the wars outside and the turmoil inside,
the Roman Empire weakened. The emperors
implemented some reforms in order to prevent this.
They tried to strengthen the power of the emperor.
Emperor Diocletian divided the empire into Western
and Eastern parts in 285 C.E. Both parts had their
own emperor. When Emperor Constantine reigned
in 330 C.E., he moved the capital to the city of
Byzantium, which lies in the eastern part of the
empire.
34. The Roman Empire faced numerous invasions by
Germanic tribes, including the Hun tribe, the
Visigoths, and the Vandals. The Hun tribe attacked
Europe in 370 BCE, and the Visigoths invaded Rome
in 378 C.E. The Vandals destroyed property and
destroyed buildings, leading to the term "vandal"
for intentional destruction. The Visigoths invaded
Rome in 410 C.E., and by 476 C.E., Romulus
Augustulus was replaced by Odoacer. The Goths
became dominant in the Iberian, Gaul, and Italian
Peninsulas.
