The Rise and Fall of Rome
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Imperial Era City of Rome Map
In this map showing the 14 districts of Augustan Rome, the
gates in the Aurelian Wall are marked in red
The Roman Forum, the commercial, cultural, and political
center of the city and the Republic which housed the various
offices and meeting places of the government.
TIMELINE - EARLY ROMAN HISTORY
1000 B.C. Latins enter Italy.
 800 B.C. Rome is founded, 753 the walls are built.
 509 B.C. Rome becomes a Republic and kicks out
the Etruscan kings. (Lucretia)
 494 B.C. First Plebeian strike, win rights to laws
and Tribunes.
 458 B.C. Cincinnatus sets his example.
 451 B.C. Twelve Tables are written.
 390 B.C. Gauls sack Rome, a harder, paranoid
Rome emerges from this.
 275 B.C. Rome controls all of Italy
 264-146 B.C. Punic Wars
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HISTORY OF SETTLEMENT:
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Greeks-750-600 B.C. began
entering Italy and established
around 50 colonies. Greeks
began a large colonization drive
b/c:
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demographic crisis (famine,
overcrowding, climate change, etc.)
the search for new commercial
outlets and ports
expulsion form their homeland
Influenced the Latins in many
areas including: religion,
government, law, philosophy.
Dominated Southern Italy.
THE GREEKS
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The Romans called the area
of Sicily and the foot of the
boot of Italy Magna Graecia
(Latin, “Greater Greece”)
FIRST AREA SETTLED BY THE LATINS IN ITALIAN PENINSULA
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HISTORY OF SETTLEMENT:
VALUE SYSTEM
Latins- 1000 B.C. enter Italy.
Simple farmers, live in tribes
mainly in Central Italy.
The Romans were one tribe of
Latins.
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They will learn much from the
Etruscans, including math and
engineering skills as well as
written language.
THE LATINS –
"PEOPLE OF LATIUM"
Had a system of values
called Gravitas that were
similar to the Greek idea of
Arete.

The Romans stressed strength,
loyalty, discipline, and self
sacrifice.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENT:


Etruscans- 1200-800 B.C. enter Italy.
Advanced culture probably migrated to
Italy from Asia Minor.

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Similar alphabet to Greek and
Phoenician. (left little written record)
While Rome was a small farm village they
had major cities built from brick and
stone.
Advanced artwork
Dominated Northern Italy and ruled
over many Latin towns including Rome.
Had major cultural influence over the
Latins, writing, trade, architecture.
Etruscans lived in city states similar to
Greece.
THE ETRUSCANS
2:51 - *6:00
Etruscan walled town, Civita di Bagnoregio
Etruscan tombs at Orvieto
Orvieto is an ancient Etruscan city in Umbria.
Role of Women in Etruscan Society:
Etruscan tombs carry funerary inscriptions in
the form "X son of (father) and (mother)",
indicating the importance of the mother's
side of the family.
The Chimera
of Arezzo, a
prime
example of
Etruscan art
TALES OF THE FOUNDING OF ROME
From Monarchy to a Republic
 The people of Rome were
farmers and herders. Under the
control of their neighbors, the
Etruscans.
 Rome became a rich city, ruled
by kings.
 In 509 BC, the Romans drove
out their last king, Tarquin the
Proud. Rome then became a
republic

Lucretia
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Wife of a Roman noblemen, she
was raped by an Etruscan
Prince.
She was beloved by the people
of Rome as an example of the
ideal woman.
The Prince was jealous of the
qualities she possessed and so
stands as the prime example of
what the Romans didn't like
about the Etruscans.
This story was told by Romans
to explain the rebellion against
the Etruscans.
We don't know for sure if it is
true.
GOVERNMENT OF ROME DEVELOPS

Monarchy –

Ruled by the Etruscans (for a little while)
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Horatius at the Bridge
No more kings!
last king of Rome was overthrown in 510 BCE
Republic - a state in which the
supreme power rests in the body of
citizens entitled to vote and is
exercised by representatives chosen
directly or indirectly by them.
After a 16-year battle with their last king, Tarquin
the Proud, the people of Rome vowed never to be
ruled by a king again. The people wanted to be
ruled by elected leaders. They wanted to vote on
any laws suggested. They wanted to vote on who
would rule over them each year.
In 509 BCE, over 2500 years ago, the citizens of
Rome created a new government. They called it THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
But, things did improve under the Republic. About 50 years after the Roman
Republic was formed, the leaders of the Republic wrote down many of the old
laws, to make sure everyone understood them. History refers to this group of
laws as "The Twelve Tables" because the written laws were organized into 12
sections.
These laws talked about property, crime, family, theft, marriage and
inheritance. It does not really matter what they said, although the laws did try
to be fair. What matters is that these laws were written down. They were
engraved on tablets of metal and put on display at the Forum in the city of
Rome, so that everyone could see them.
Each law applied to every Roman citizen, be he rich or poor. That was a huge
change for the better!
THE TWELVE TABLES OF ROME
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1. In writing the 12 Tables, the early Romans were developing legal
principles that would endure for centuries.
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On a separate piece of paper, make a list of 10 laws from the tables (most
of the tables contain several laws). For each law that you chose, identify the
principle(s) you think the Romans were trying to apply.
(what type of law was it? – restate it in your own words)


For example, in law IX.6 you'll recognize the principle of "innocent until proven
guilty."
Then, indicate whether that principle would apply in a democratic society,
such as the US.

(For example, in a democratic society, the principle "innocent until proven guilty"
applies in all current criminal cases.)
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2. Other than death what are the other types of punishments that the
Tables include?
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3. How did the praetors judge the 12 Tables? How is this similar/
dissimilar to our legal system today?
GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
Consuls - Two men elected annually by the senate. They propose new laws, Serve as
head of the court system and the military, and serve as chief priests of Rome.
Dictator - Elected in times of emergency and only held power for six
months. The Dictator held absolute power over all decisions in Rome
during his time in office. A man named Cincinnatus was the role model for
how the process should work. Why was this office necessary for the safety
of Rome?
Senate - 100 then changed to 300 senators chosen for life. Set foreign and
domestic policy. Elected and advised the consuls.
Tribunes - 10 Patricians elected annually to protect the rights of the plebians. They
could block or veto the decisions or laws that were harmful to plebians.
THE PERFECT DICTATOR
Cincinnatus turns
over the fasces
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Cincinnatus

“With one hand he returns the fasces, a
symbol of power as appointed dictator of
Rome. His other hand holds the plow, as he
resumes the life of a citizen and farmer."
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When Rome comes under
attack the senate turns to
a respected farmer to lead
the Roman army & Rome
as a dictator
Cincinnatus defeats the
enemy and gives up his
power… Voluntarily.
This story was told to act
as an example of how
the office should work.
How did Romans limit the power of the Consuls?
Or how did they ensure a system of checks and
balances?
They were only allowed to serve for one year and they had to
approve each others decisions. Meaning they each had a veto
vote over the proposals of the other. There were also many
different branches of government each with different
responsibilities
SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Particians - The patricians were
the upper class, the nobility
and wealthy land owners.
(small group)
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Plebeians - The plebeians were
the lower class.

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Nicknamed "plebs"
Included everyone else in ancient
Rome (except for the nobility, the
patricians) from well-to-do
tradesmen all the way down to
the very poor.
SOCIETY IN ROME
Citizenship: The citizens of Rome were
adult freemen from both classes - plebs
and patricians. Women, children, and
slaves were not citizens. People from all
classes considered themselves Romans.
Fun Fact: The word plebs is
said to be derived from plere,
'to fill up'. Plebeians were,
therefore, people who were
considered to be an addition to
the 'real' Roman population.
FAMILY STRUCTURE
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Adult Males:
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FAMILY STRUCTURE
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Children
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Slaves
Pater familias – oldest male
Women
ROMAN SOCIETY
PLEBEIANS GAIN MORE POWER
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Plebeians believed that was unfair. When a poor plebeian had to
borrow money from the rich to survive, he became his servant . He
was treated almost like a slave, and, without getting paid, he could
never get the money he needed to buy his freedom. The government
did nothing to end this cruel practice.
By 494 B.C., the plebeians had suffered long enough. They formed
their own assembly, known as the Council of Plebeians. They also
elected their own leaders, called tribunes to protect their rights. Now
the plebeians could vote against any bad law passed by the Senate.
Next, the plebeians demanded that the laws be changed . Since
Rome’s laws had never been written down, judges often ruled
unfairly against plebeians. The plebeians demanded that the laws
passed by their assembly apply to all citizens, and in 287 B.C.the
patricians agreed .
Plebeians and patricians were finally equal under roman laws. –
Rome Becomes more democratic
The government was ruled
by two consuls, and one of
those consuls had to be a
plebeian. The consuls were
like kings, but they could
serve only one year, and
each consul could veto the
other's decisions. Our word
veto is from the Latin word "I
forbid". So, one consul could
forbid the decision of the
other !
TIMELINE
275 B.C. Rome controls all of Italy
 264-146 B.C. Punic Wars
 133 B.C. Tiberius Gracchus is elected Tribune.
 123 B.C. Gaius Gracchus is elected Tribune.
 107-104 B.C. Marius is elected Consul and
reforms the army.
 88 B.C. Sulla enters Rome.
 60 B.C. 1st Triumvirate is formed.
 44. B.C. Caesar is killed.
 27 B.C. The Republic is dead.
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ROME VS. CARTHAGE
WHO WAS CARTHAGE?
1ST PUNIC WAR

Fought over who would
control the rich grain
producing area of Sicily.
Early in the war Rome finds
a Carthaginian warship
washed up on their shore.
They copy it and build a
fleet of ships. They defeat
Carthage and win control
of Sicily. Cheap grain
begins to pour into Rome.
Photo of the remains of the naval base
of the city of Carthage. Before the war,
Carthage had the most powerful navy in
the western Mediterranean
THE PUNIC WARS
THREE WARS BETWEEN ROME AND CARTHAGE IN WHICH ROME IS VICTORIOUS.
2ND PUNIC WAR

Carthage seeks revenge on
Rome. Hannibal builds an army
in Spain and launches an
attack through the Alps to
surprise Rome. For 15 years he
defeats every Roman army sent
against him and ravages the
Roman country side and any
Roman allies who won't join
him. He is unable to capture
Rome and in the end is
defeated while defending
Carthage. Rome wins Spain,
Sardinia and Corsica. Part of
the treaty states that Carthage
cannot fight any wars without
Roman approval.
Hannibal counting the
signet rings of the Roman
knights killed during the
battle
THE PUNIC WARS
THREE WARS BETWEEN ROME AND CARTHAGE IN WHICH ROME IS VICTORIOUS.
BATTLES OF
TREBIA,
BATTLE OF LAKE
TRASIMENE
BATTLE OF
CANNAE
THE BATTLE OF CANNE
3RD PUNIC WAR
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CARTHAGE  MODERN TUNIS
Rome wants to destroy
Carthage once and for all.
They lay siege to the city and
eventually break in.
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They slaughter thousands of
people, enslave the rest and
tear down the city.
THE PUNIC WARS
THREE WARS BETWEEN ROME AND CARTHAGE IN WHICH ROME IS VICTORIOUS.
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF THESE WARS?
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Thousands of Roman soldiers return from the
second war to find their farms destroyed or
taken over by others. So, many lose their
farms and homes.
Cheap or free grain pours into Rome and
sinks the price of grain. Grain farmers can't
sell their food and can't pay taxes.
Thousands of slaves are shipped into Rome
and take jobs from out of work farmers.
Great wealth pours into Rome from the
conquest of Carthage and its holdings. This
creates a new class of extremely wealthy
Romans. The wealthy use the money to buy
land or latifundia and begin to raise cattle.
Instead of hiring Romans to work the
latifundia they buy slaves.
A huge class of poor out of work Romans is
created while a new very wealthy class is also
created. The values of old Rome are
deteriorating. In their place decadence and
extravagance are taking hold.
SOURCES
WEAPONS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

http://www.history.com/videos/secret-weaponsof-roman-empire#secret-weapons-of-roman-empire
Rome info:
 http://rome.mrdonn.org/index.html
 http://rome.mrdonn.org/families.html
 http://www.sbceo.k12.ca.us/~vms/carlton/Rome
/Rome_Reading_1.html
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