Geography and the Rise
of Rome
The Geography of Italy
• The geography of Italy made travel
difficult, but helped the Romans
prosper.
• The Alps in the north and the
Apennines along Italy are the major
mountain ranges.
• Romans were able to grow a wide
variety of crops because of the good
climate.
• The Romans used the hills for
defense.
•
They captured water from
mountains for crops and drinking.
Rome’s Legendary Origins
• Romulus and Remus were twins
who were put in a basket and sent
down river. They were raised by a
shewolf and are supposed to be the
founders of Rome (myth).
• The legendary beginning made the
Roman Empire more stable because
the people living there felt their
country was special and didn’t want
to destroy from within.
The Early Republic
• Once a monarchy, the Romans created a
republic.
• During difficult wars, the Romans elected a
dictator (ruler with almost absolute power)
• The monarchy was ruled by a king or queen,
and the republic was lead by elected officials.
• During the first 50 years, the Roman Republic
faced wars with many victories, but also lost
many lives and property.
Roman Society
• Divided in two groups.
Patricians
Plebeians
Wealthy, powerful citizens
Common people
Nobles
Peasants, craftspeople, traders, etc.
Small portion of population
Majority of population
Once controlled all aspects of
government
Gained right to participate in govt.
After 218 BC couldn’t trade
Could become traders so many became
wealthy
Plebeians
• In 494 BC plebeians formed a council and elected
their own officials.
• They wanted a change made in the government.
• Before this, only patricians ruled all aspects of
government.
Roman Government
• Roman government was made up the the
Magistrates, Senate, and Assemblies &
Tribunes (Tripartite Government = 3 parts)
• Magistrates - the most powerful/ran the city and in
charge of the army/served for one year
• Senate - advised magistrates/served for life
• Assemblies & Tribunes - represented common
people, could veto actions by other officials.
Written Laws Keep Order
• The first Roman laws were carved into 12
bronze tablets.
• The laws were displayed in the forum
(public meeting place), so everyone would
know the laws.
• The Twelve Tables dealt with court laws,
marriage, sacred laws, debt, father’s rights
over his family, ownership of land and
possessions, and crimes.
• Although the laws changed over time, the
Twelve Tables were a symbol of how
Roman society was governed by laws.
The Roman Forum
• This is where the Twelve Tables were kept.
• Popular meeting place in the center of Rome
• People went there to shop, talk and gossip
Growth of Territory and Trade
• The Roman legion (6,000 soldiers) and Roman century
(groups of 100 soldiers) helped expand the Roman
Empire.
• The small farms began to disappear as lots of people
moved to Rome, and their land was bought by wealthy
Romans.
• These small farms were then combined in to large farms
and worked by slaves.
• Rome’s population became so large that local farmers
couldn’t provide enough food, so merchants imported
food from other regions along the Mediterranean.
Rome Grows Beyond Italy
• The Punic Wars began around 218 BC
when a Carthaginian (a city in northern
Africa) Empire general set out for Rome
(hoping for a defeat)
• The city of Carthanginian was attacked by
the Roman army while Hannibal was en
route to Rome. The city of Carthage was
burned down and most of its people killed
or forced into slavery.
• During the Punic Wars, Rome took control
of Sicily, Corsica, Spain, and North
Africa.
Hannibal
Crisis Strike the Republic
• The wealthy Romans began to get richer and the
poor started to become more poor.
• Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus tried to help the
poor by creating farms for them to prevent
rebellions.
• This caused riots between the rich and poor, and
eventually both brothers were killed.
• Violence increased after their deaths because
people saw the use of violence as a way to get
political power.
Review
•
What is the myth of Romulus and Remus?
•
What is a Republic?
•
Who were plebeians and patricians?
•
Who are Magistrates?
•
Who were the Assemblies?
•
Who were the Tribunes?
•
What were the Twelve Tables?
•
What buildings were in the forum?
•
Why did food have to be imported?
What was a Roman Legion? Century?
•
Who were the Punic Wars between? Who won?
•
Why were there riots between the rich and poor?