Rome began as a village founded by Romulus and Remus on the Italian peninsula around 750 BCE. It was located on fertile land near rivers with access to the Mediterranean Sea. The early Roman republic had a government consisting of two consuls, a senate of patricians, and a tribal assembly of plebeians. Rome expanded across the Italian peninsula through the 3rd century BCE, building roads to help unify and connect their territories, until it had conquered the entire peninsula and islands of Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily. Rome then fought three Punic Wars against Carthage between 264-146 BCE to gain control of the Mediterranean.

1. Rome: From Village to Empire

2. c. 750 BCE: Latins (tribe) settle what becomes Rome Accordingtomyth, Romulus and Remusfounded Rome

4. Mountains

5. RiversRome is west of Apennines Mts: more fertile land & river access

6. See Rome Expand!

7. The early Romans were mostly… farmers

9. Plebeians: farmers, artisans, traders…could vote but not hold political office

11. Absorbed gods of others…including the Greeks

13. Could NOT vote, but could testify in court

14. Gained property rights

16. …until they had conquered the entire Italian peninsula plus the islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily

17. As they expanded their control… …the Romans built an excellent network of roads

18. Here’s how they built them:

19. Their road system is one of the Romans’ greatest achievements Why do you think they built them?

21. Enabled trade and commerce

23. Right again! Carthage!!

24. Between 264-146 BCE the Romans fought three wars with Carthage, known as the Punic Wars.

25. Rome won… and went on to conquer the rest of the Mediterranean world.

32. The period 27 BCE-180 AD (the last two maps) is known as the: PAX ROMANA

34. Rome enjoyed military dominance

35. The population of the city of Rome reached 1 million

36. Trade increased, bringing a wealth of resources into Rome

37. The arts flourished