Rome grew from a single city to a vast empire due to its central location on the Mediterranean, which provided protection, transportation, and access to trade routes. During the Roman Republic, Rome was governed by elected officials like consuls and a senate, with a system of checks and balances. However, as Rome expanded through military conquests, tensions arose between social classes and powerful generals began to seize control. This led to civil war and the rise of Augustus, who established the Roman Empire and a new imperial government, marking the end of the Roman Republic.

1. Ancient Rome &
the Rise of
Christianity
509 B.C.E – 476C.E
Big Idea: How did Rome grow from a single city to a
huge, diverse empire?

2. https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=GXoEpNjgKzg
National Geographic
Ancient Rome Overview

3. 1. The Roman Republic
Key Terms and People
Republic patrician
Plebian tribune
Consul senate
Dictator legion
Punic Wars Hannibal

5. Origins of Rome
 Legend
– Founded by Romulus & Remus
 Romans have divine origin (Sons of Mars)
 Raised by a she-wolf

6. Origins of Rome
Focus: What values formed the basis of Roman society and government?
 Roman Civilization Arises In Italy
– Central location on Mediterranean
& peninsula
– Fertile plains for farming
– Geography – easy to unify
 Mtns. smaller
– No isolated valleys

7. Summarize
What advantages did Rome’s location
give the city?
Answer(s): protected by mountains; sea
provided protection and transportation; had
rich soil, pleasant climate; located on major
trade routes; Tiber River provided easy
access to the sea

8.  Settlement – Italian
Peninsula
– 800 B.C.E – Latins
 settle along Tiber River
 Built original settlement on Seven Hills
 First Romans
– Greeks settle southern Italy
– Etruscans settle northern Italy
 Influenced Rome’s architecture - arch
 Skilled metal workers and engineers
 System of writing – Romans adopted alphabet

11. The Early Republic – Etruscan Rule Ends
 509 B.C.E – drive out Etruscan ruler
 Last Etruscan King – Tarquin The Proud
 Set up a Republic – people chose some of the
governing officials
– Prevent individual from gaining to much power

12. The Roman World
Takes Shape
 Patricians
– Wealthy landholding upper
class
– Original senate members
 Plebeians - majority
– Farmers, merchants,
artisans, & traders
 Tribunes – protect
interests of plebeians in
senate
 Eventually allowed as
members of the senate

13.  The Laws of the Twelve Tables
– 450 B.C. – laws are written down
– Became basis for later Roman Law
– Established idea that
all free citizens had
protection under
the law

14.  Senate
– 300 members
– Serve for life
– Administrative and Legislative
functions
 Consuls
 2 selected
 Serve one term (1 year)
 Responsible to each other
 Veto – block laws felt harmful to
them
 Supervise business & armies
Rome achieved
‘balanced government’

15.  Dictator
– Ruler who has absolute power over the
government
 6 month rule
 Times of crisis
Pompey is made
Dictator ------->

17. During the days of the Roman Republic, Rome was a thriving and
vibrant city. At its heart was the Forum, the public square and site
of the most important government buildings and temples.
• Nestled between
two hills: Palatine,
Capitoline
• Palatine, where
wealthy lived
• Capitoline, where
grandest temples
were
Location
• City leaders often
found in Forum
mingling with
common people
• Senate met in
Forum
• Key public
addresses made
there
Political Center
• Popular place for
shopping, gossip
• Busy shops lined
either side of
Forum
• Public
celebrations
usually held there
Busy Place
Life in the Republic

18. Life in the Republic
Roman Society
 Men
– Head of Household
– Absolute power
 Women
– Loving, dignified, strong
– Own property & run business
– Patrician women – theater, dine
out
All educated; read & write

19. Dictator

20. Plebian

21. Consul

22. Tarquin the Proud

23. A form of government in
which the power rests with
citizens who have the right to
vote

24. Wealthy landowners

25. Elected representatives

26. The legislative branch of the
Roman government

27. Draw Conclusions
Why do you think the Romans
established a republic?
Answer(s): possible answer—They wanted a
system of laws to keep peace within their
expanding empire.

28. Rome’s Power Spreads
 Roman Republic Grows
– Conquered Etruscans and Greek city-states
– 265 B.C.E – Rome controls most of the Italian
peninsula
 Citizenship/citizenship without vote/allies
 Conquered – acknowledge Roman leadership; keep
customs – lenient policy helped Rome to succeed
in building a long lasting empire
https://www.yo
utube.com/watc
h?v=ygsa6iO8X
9o

29. War With Carthage
Rome ‘s Commercial Network
 Roman traders contact with Mediterranean cities
 Carthage
– Conflict
– Direct opposition to Rome

32. War with Carthage (264 - 146 BCE)
 Punic Wars (3)
– Rome vs. Carthage
 First War - 23 years
– Fought for control of Sicily
And western Mediterranean
– Rome defeats Carthage
– Gains:
 Sicily
 Corsica
 Sardinia

33. Second War
 Hannibal – Carthaginian
general
– Invaded Italy with 50 000
infantry from the north (alps)
– Largely successful but failed to
capture Rome
 Romans attack Carthage
– Hannibal forced to return home
– Rome defeats Carthage
– Scipio – Roman General

34. Third War (149-146 BCE)
 Rome destroys Carthage
 City set afire and 50000 sold to slavery
 Carthage became Roman province
 Romans are masters of the western Mediterranean
 Expand eastward
– Macedonia, Greece, & parts of Asia Minor
– Greek culture and religion grows
– Imperialism– policy of establishing control over foreign
land and people

35. Discuss and Share
Why were the Punic Wars Important?

37. 2. The Roman Empire
Key Terms and People
Civil War Julius Caesar
Triumvirate Augustus
Pax Romana

38. What were the characteristics of
the Roman Republic?
Quick Review

39. Why do you think the republic –
which the Romans fought so
hard to protect would fall away
as the form of government?
Discuss and share

40. The Republic
Collapses
 Conquests brings riches to Rome
 New class of wealthy Romans
create latifundias, or large
estates
 Conquered people – slaves on
estates 1/3 population
 Small farmers in debt - homeless
 Values: Greed replaces hard work
& devotion

41. By the mid-100s BCE, Rome had no rival anywhere in the
Mediterranean world. However, the responsibilities of running their
vast holdings stretched the Roman political system to its limits.
• Revolution began
in political, social
institutions
• Tensions grew
between classes
of Roman society
• Gracchus
brothers tried to
resolve tension
Social Unrest
• Tribune Tiberius
Gracchus noted
mistreatment of
soldier-farmers
• Many reduced to
poverty
• Tiberius, brother
Gaius tried to help
soldiers
Soldier-Farmers
• Gracchi tried to
redistribute public
land to farmers
• Had public
support, but
Senate feared
Gracchi trying to
reduce its power
• Senate urged
mobs to kill
brothers
Public Land
Problems in the Late Republic

42. Discuss and Share

43. The Republic Collapses
 Series of civil wars
 Roman soldiers loyal to their generals, not Rome
 Generals recruited soldiers from landless –
promised land and pay for allegiance
 Became possible for military leaders to take
power by force

44. Caesar Takes Control
 Military generals, Julius
Caesar, Crassus and
Pompey, dominate Roman
politics
– Triumvirate
– Caesar Consul in 59BCE
– Governor of Gaul
– Increased popularity with
people and loyalty of soldiers

45. Caesar Takes Control
 Pompey fears Caesars
growing popularity
 Orders Caesar to disband
army
 Caesar defies orders and
brings army to Rome
 Defeats Pompey’s army in
Greece, Spain and Egypt
 46BCE Senate declare him
Dictator for life

46. Death of Julius Caesar
 Introduced many reforms which made him popular
– Extended Roman citizenship
– Expanded senate
– Created jobs
– New public buildings
– Increased pay for soldiers
– Created colonies where landless could own property

47. Death of Julius Caesar
 Senate and nobles fear Caesar’s power and
popularity
 15 March of 44 B.C.
– Julius Caesar stabbed to death on senate floor

48. Beginning of the Empire
Civil War
• Civil war between Octavian, Antony broke out
• 31BCE Octavian defeated Antony and his ally, Egypt’s Queen
Cleopatra
• Cleopatra, Antony committed suicide; Octavian alone controlled
Rome
• Republic effectively dead; new period in Roman history beginning
The Second Triumvirate
• Caesar’s murder did not save the Republic
• 43 BCE, Second Triumvirate took power—Caesar’s adopted son,
Octavian; loyal officer Marc Antony; high priest Lepidus
• Lepidus pushed aside; Antony, Octavian agreed to govern half
the empire each, Octavian in west, Antony in East

49. Octavian Takes Power
• Octavian faced task of
restoring order in empire
• Had no intention of
establishing dictatorship
when he took power
Principate
• Octavian careful to avoid title
of king or emperor
• Called himself princeps, “first
citizen”
• Government called Principate
New Political Order
• Octavian decided it
impossible to return Rome to
republican form of
government
• Created new political order,
known today as the empire
From Octavian to Augustus

50. Augustus
 27 B.C.E
– Octavian takes name of Augustus, or
exalted one
– Roman Republic ends Roman Empire
begins
Battle of Actium

51. Augustus Builds a Vast and Powerful
Empire
 Builds stable govn’t
– Census – population count; records (taxes)
– Postal service
– Coins
– Public works (roads, temples, etc.)

52. New Imperial Government
• Augustus head of state more than 40 years, made smooth transition to
new imperial government with power divided between him and Senate
• Most financial, administrative matters under Augustus’s control
Legacy
• Created police force, fire brigades; stockpiled food, water
• Began building program; presided over moral, religious reforms
• Great period of cultural creativity; great writers like Horace, Ovid, Virgil
Foreign Affairs
• Started program to bring peace to west, particularly to Gaul, Spain
• Began series of conquests that pushed border eastward to Danube
River
• Also took special care of Rome itself
The Augustan Age

53. Emperors vary

54. • Augustus died AD 14, empire ruled by Caesar’s relatives for 54
years
• Julio-Claudian Emperors’ abilities varied widely
• Tiberius a good soldier, competent administrator
• Caligula, brutal, mentally unstable; appointed favorite horse as
consul
• AD 68, last of Julio-Claudians, Nero committed suicide
• Following Nero’s death, civil
wars raged in Rome
• Four military leaders claimed
throne in turn
• Last, Vespasian reestablished
order, as did reigns of two sons
• Stability returned under Flavians
Flavians
• AD 96, new line of emperors
established—Good Emperors
• Five rulers governed Rome for
almost a century
The Good Emperors
Julio-Claudians and Flavians pg 205

55. The Good Emperors
Empire grew tremendously under Good Emperors
 Reached limits of expansion under Trajan
 Added what are now Romania, Armenia, Mesopotamia, and
the Sinai Peninsula
 Successor Hadrian thought empire too large
– Withdrew from almost all eastern additions
– Built defensive fortifications to guard against invasions
– Built wall 73 miles long in northern Britain

56. Roman Peace 27 BCE to 180 CE
 Pax Romana – 207 years of Roman Peace
– Began with Augustus & ended with Marcus Aurelius

57. Empire brought uniformity to the cities of the Mediterranean
world, which were governed in imitation of Rome.
• Roman government
strongest unifying force in
empire
• Maintained order, enforced
laws, defended frontiers
• Aristocracy participated, but
emperors made all
important decisions
Government
The Pax Romana
• Empire divided into
provinces ruled by
governors appointed from
Rome
• Provincial government fair,
efficient
• Government in Rome kept
close check on governors
• Any citizen could appeal
unfair treatment directly to
emperor
Provinces

58. Laws
• Roman law unified the empire
• Laws specified what could, could not be done; penalties for
breaking law
• Same laws applied to everyone in empire, wherever they lived
Manufacturing
• Manufacturing increased throughout empire
• Italy, Gaul, Spain—artisans made cheap pottery, textiles
• Fine glassware made in eastern cities like Alexandria
Agriculture
• Agriculture remained primary occupation throughout Pax Romana
• Most farms, independent with little, no surplus to sell
• Tenant farmers began to replace slaves on large farms

59. Trade
• Italy imported grain, meat, raw materials from provinces
• Merchants brought silks, linens, glassware, jewelry, furniture
from Asia
• Rome, Alexandria became commercial centers
Military and Merchant Routes
• Most roads built, maintained for military purposes
• Cheaper to transport grain by ship from one end of
Mediterranean to other than to send it overland; most goods
went by sea
Transportation
• Commercial activity possible because of empire’s location
around Mediterranean and extensive road network
• Ultimately about 50,000 miles of roads bound empire together

61. 1. Explain
How did Rome grow and change after it
became an empire?
2. Analyze
How did government, law, and trade tie
the Roman people together?

62. 1. Explain
How did Rome grow and change after it
became an empire?
Answer(s): The Roman Empire reached the
limits of its territorial expansion and made
developments in building, government, and
culture.

63. Analyze
How did government, law, and trade tie
the Roman people together?
Answer(s): The Roman government was the
strongest unifying force, maintaining order,
enforcing the laws, and defending the frontiers.
Roman law provided stability and, with few
exceptions, the same laws applied to everyone in
the empire. Trade provided opportunities for
commerce between people in different parts of the
empire.

64. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzYnPrarCqQ
Homework:
Answer questions 1, 3, 4, 6 & 8

65. Homework:
Changes in Rome
 Dictator claims sole power
 Power of the army grows
 Government became unifying force
 Empire divided into provinces
 Governors appointed to rule provinces
 Law unified the empire
 Trade and commerce flourished
 Senate lost power – became an advisory
council
 Public works expanded - road connected the
empire

66. Question 3
Economic
Growing wealth gap between rich and poor
Latifundia grows in power – small farmers pushed to poverty, moved to city
Urban poor grew in numbers
Debt slavery
Military
Armies grew in strength – loyal to generals not the state
Generals began vying for power by using force
Question 4
Provinces
Governors
Roads
Strong army
Strong emperors
Citizenship extended to conquered people
Use of Latin
Single coinage
Focus on trade and commerce – economic advancement

67. Question 6
Highlighted the strength a loyal army
Highlighted the power of the general population
Reforms – created jobs; new buildings, started colonies
Question 8
Brought peace and stability
Created efficient government that survived for years
Stablised the frontiers
Public spending
Created civil service – paid workers to manage affairs of the empire: tax
collection, food supply, postal service

68. 3. Life in the Roman Empire
Key Terms and People
Villa paterfamilias
Circus augurs

69. • Pax Romana provided
prosperity for many
• Rich citizens
– Had both city, country
homes
– Homes had conveniences
like running water, baths
• Wealthy men spent much
time in politics
Life for the Rich
• Public officials not paid;
only wealthy could afford to
hold office
• Roman politicians worked to
perfect public-speaking
skills
• Ties of marriage, friendship,
family alliances as important
as common interests for
public officials, political
groups
Public Life

70. 70

71. 71

72. 72
Hypocaust
Source
Houses were also
centrally heated by what
was known as a
hypocaust.
This was under-floor
heating.
Slaves were charged with
keeping the hypocaust
both clean and alight
during the day.

73. Life for the Poor
 Nearly 1 million Romans lived in crowded three- or
four-story apartment buildings
 Fire a constant threat
– Torches used for light
– Charcoal used for cooking
 To keep poor from rebelling
– Free food, public entertainment offered
– Two things interested public—bread, circuses

74. Roman Insulae
 Roman Insulae were
‘apartment buildings’
located in towns.
 What class of people
may have lived in
Insulae?
 What were the
differences between a
Roman Villa and
Insula..?

75. Entertainment
 Circus Maximus
 Gladiators
– Usually slaves or criminals
who were trained to fight

76. Bloody Spectacles
• Romans enjoyed spectacles in amphitheaters
• Wild animals battled each other and professional fighters
• Gladiator contests most popular, performed in Colosseum
for 50,000 people

77. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ_gLof5i
fM

78. Public Baths
• Popular places for entertainment
• Romans well aware of importance of bathing, hygiene for
health
• Many public baths had steam rooms, meeting rooms, and
pools for socializing

79. • Upper class Romans placed
great value on education
• Parents taught children at
home; wealthy families
hired tutors or sent sons to
exclusive schools to learn
Latin, Greek, law, math,
public speaking
• Romans adopted much from
Greek mythology, also from
Egyptians, others
• Each family worshipped
local household gods,
penates
• Many worshipped emperor
Education and Religion
• Head of family—
paterfamilias, family
father—oldest living male
• Had extensive powers over
other members of family
• Within family structure,
virtues of simplicity,
religious devotion,
obedience emphasized
• Adoption important in
Roman society, a way to
ensure family name would
be carried on
• Women could do little
without intervention of
male guardian, more
freedom in lower classes
Patriarchal Structure Family

81. Contrast
How was life different for rich and poor
citizens in Rome?
Answer(s): Rich—often had two homes and
spent time in politics, women's lives
controlled by guardians; Poor—lived in
crowded conditions, lower-class women had
more freedom, often worked outside the
home

83. 4. The Origins of Christianity
Key Terms and People
Jesus apostle
Paul Diaspora
Constantine bishop
Peter pope

84. 5.4- The Rise of Christianity
Focus: How did Christianity emerge and then spread to
become the official religion of the Roman empire?
 The Roman empire was
home to many different
religions during the Pax
Romana
 Religions included:
Polytheistic (Greek God),
Monotheistic (Judaism), and
even Cults
 Rome tolerated this as
long people remained
loyal to Rome.

85. • Jews had to pay tribute to
Romans but unwilling to
abandon religion for
polytheistic religion of
Romans
• Roman leaders allowed Jews
to practice religion as long as
they paid tribute, maintained
civic order
Roman Compromise
• Teachings of Jesus of
Nazareth developed into
new religion—Christianity
• Many of teachings rooted in
beliefs, customs of Judaism
• 63 BC, Romans conquered
Judaea, chose new ruler for
region, installed him as king
Judaism in the Roman World
Christianity and Judaism

86. • Nearly all knowledge of
Jesus comes from
Gospels—first four books of
New Testament
• New Testament and books of
Hebrew Bible make up
today’s Christian Bible
• Jesus born in Bethlehem,
near Jerusalem
• Learned carpentry, studied
writings of Jewish prophets
Life
Jesus of Nazareth

87. • Jesus preached message of
renewal and warning
• Gathered group of disciples
• Created excitement by
performing miracles of
healing; defending poor,
oppressed
• Instructed people to repent
of sins, seek God’s
forgiveness
• Must love God above all,
love others as much as self
Preaching
Jesus of Nazareth
 Jesus (4 BCE.- 30 CE
believed by many
Jews to be the
messiah - anointed
king sent by God
 Christianity begins
from the teachings of
Jesus (a Jew)

88. Jesus of Nazareth
 By the age of 30 Jesus’ teachings were drawing a large
following. (Miracles)
 He recruited 12 disciples or followers to help on his
mission - called apostles - “person sent forth” (Greek)
 Teachings were rooted in accordance with Jewish belief-
also preached new beliefs calling himself the son of God.

89.  Special appeal to the poor
“blessed are the meek for they
will inherit the earth”
 Some Jews regarded him as a
trouble maker
 Roman leaders feared he
would challenge Roman rule
 He was condemned to death
by Crucifixion by Roman
Governor Pontius Pilate

90.  The Message of Christianity
spreads:
 Those of the new faith were
called Christians because they
believed Jesus was the Christ
meaning anointed one. (Greek)
 Along with Jesus’ disciples Paul
was the most influential in
spreading Christianity.
– Taught that those accepting
Christ would have eternal
life.

91. Roman Christianity
• Paul found some Jewish customs hindered missionary work
among non-Jews, dispensed with those requirements for
Christians
• Paul emphasized new doctrines that helped distinguish
Christianity from Judaism
• Christianity spread; message of love, eternal life after death
found appealing
• By 300CE , some 10 percent of Roman people were Christian
Converting the Gentiles
• Paul believed God sent him to convert non-Jews, or Gentiles
• Paul helped make Christianity broader religion, attracted many
new followers
• Helped establish Christian churches throughout eastern
Mediterranean
• Paul’s epistles, or letters, to those churches later became part
of the New Testament

92. Discuss and Share

93.  In Christianity’s early stages Rome
was not tolerant
– Roman officials thought the religion
caused disloyalty
 Christians were persecuted and even
killed for their beliefs
– Refused to worship Roman gods
– Seen as opposition to Roman rule
– Exiled, imprisoned, crucified or executed
 Those who died for their beliefs were
called: Martyrs

94. Despite persecution Christianity became a
powerful force
 Embraced all people – men, women, slaves, poor and
nobles
Gave hope to the powerless
Appealed to those who were repelled by the
extravagances of imperial Rome
Offered personal relationship with a loving God
Promised eternal life after death

95. In 313 CE the
persecution of Christians
ended:
– The Emperor
Constantine- issues
the Edict of Milan
– Edict of Milan-
allowed people to
worship freely
– 380 CE emperor
Theodosius declares
Christianity the official
religion of Rome

97.  Early Church:
 To join you had to be
baptized- “anointed with holy
water”
 Set up a clergy- people who
conducted services (only men)
 Each community had a
bishop- high church official-
equal in authority to apostles
 Apostle Peter was the first
Pope
 Bishops took the title of
patriarch- “father”

98.  Differences in the Early Church:
 In the western part of the Roman empire, where
Latin was the official language, church officials
were called: popes
 Popes believed they had authority over bishops
 Heresies also developed: beliefs that
contradicted official church teachings
 Church set a single, official standard of belief –
New Testament
 325 CE Constantine solidified teachings further.
Nicene Creed defined basic beliefs of the Church

100. The Fall of the Roman Empire
Key Terms and People
Inflation mercenary
Diocletian Constantinople
Attila

101. Discuss and Share
Why do empires decline and fall?

102. 5. Fall of the Roman Empire
Focus: How did military, political, social, and economic
factors combine to cause the fall of the western Roman
empire?
 After 100’s of years of domination the Roman
Empire begins to fade due to:
– Economic Problems
– Invasions
– Corruption

103.  The end of the Pax
Romana was followed
by political turmoil*
 In a 50 year period
26 different emperors
ruled (only one dying
of natural causes)
 High taxes and a lack
of farming hurt the
economy*

104.  Diocletian attempts
reform:
– Divides the empire
– East v. West
– To slow inflation he
fixed prices
– Inflation- rapid rise
of prices

105. Split Empire

106.  Constantine:
– Followed Diocletian
– Continued reforms*
– Granted tolerance*
to Christians
– Establishes a new
Capital (east):*
 Constantinople*
(Byzantium)

107.  Invaders threaten
the Empire
 Wars in Asia forced the
Huns (fierce nomads) to
migrate (200)
– The Huns forced
Germanic people into
Roman Lands
 First the Empire gave up:
Britain, France, and Spain
 Attila the Hun - reaches
central Europe around the
year 434

108. Military attacks:
- Legions are stretched too thin
- Rome begins to rely on mercenaries – soldiers
who are paid to fight; no loyalty

109.  Political Turmoil:
- Government loses support of the people
- Corrupt government officials
- Dividing Empire- East does little to help West

110.  Economic Weakness:
- Heavy taxes
- Lack of new technology (slave labor)
- Population declines (war & disease)

111.  Social Decay:
- Lack of patriotism
- Upper class- focuses on leisure
- Instead of being leaders

112. Discuss and Share

116. 6. Roots of Western Civilization
Key Terms and People
Greco-Roman culture Pompeii
Virgil Tacitus
Aqueduct

117. Roman Achievement
 Focus: How did advances in arts, learning, and
the law show the Romans’ high regard for
cultural and political achievement?

118.  Romans adapted many of their ideas from
two major cultures:
– Greek
– Hellenistic

119.  Roman Literature:
– Virgil- wrote the
Aeneid
 tried to portray
Roman past as
heroic

120.  Roman Literature:
– Some writers of Rome use satire
– Satirize- make fun of (society)
 Examples of Modern Satire
–Animal Farm
–Fahrenheit 451

122.  Roman
sculptures:
– Stressed
realism*
– Tried to reveal
an individuals
character traits

123.  Roman Art:
– Used to decorate the homes
– Mosaic- pictures made from chipped stone or
glass

124.  Roman Architecture:
emphasized grandeur- large,
proud - Pantheon

126. Pompeii
 Roman art and
architecture was
preserved in Pompeii
– Mt. Vesuvius erupted-
turning the city into
concrete statues

127. 5.3- The Roman Achievement
 Roman math and
science:
– Excelled in
engineering
 using science and
mathematics to
build structures &
machines
– aqueducts
 bring water into the
city*

129.  Romans used science to:
– Collect knowledge
– Improve maps and
geography
– Create encyclopedias

132. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=NMf6s-X2tF0