The Geography of Rome
The Mythical Founding of
Rome:
Romulus & Remus
Italy
750 BCE
Latins
Etruscans
Greeks
Social Classes
Patricians
Plebeians
Gravitas [Roman Values]
discipline, strength,
loyalty
Slavery
• Widespread
• Most were conquered
peoples
• Children of slaves
became slaves
• Property of owner
The Twelve Tables, 450 BCE
Providing political and social rights for the
plebeians.
Society
• Pater familia
[patriarchal]
• Women
• Slavery
• Homes
– atriums
Republican Government
2 Consuls
(Rulers of Rome)
Dictator
(ruled for 6 months, chosen by Consuls)
Senate
(Representative body for patricians)
Assembly
(Representative body for plebeians)
fasces
Rome’s Early Road System
The Roman Forum
Science and Technology
Roman Roads: The Appian Way
Carthaginian Empire
Punic Wars
•First -264-241 BCE
•control of Sicily and Mediterranean Sea
•Second – 218-202 BCE
•Hannibal and Alps
•Third -- 149-146 BCE
•Destruction of Carthage
Collapse of the Republic
•Returning soldiers find land destroyed
•Landless move to Rome--often riot
•Wealthy gained spoils of war
•Slave Revolts
Reform Leaders
Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
- the poor should be given grain
and small plots of free land.
First Triumvirate
Julius Caesar
Pompey
Crassus
Gallic Wars
Commentaries on the Gallic Wars--Caesar
Crossing the Rubicon, 49 BC
The Die is Cast!
Caesar
Dictator 46 BC
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Ten years not 6 months
Roman citizenship granted in provinces
Increased number of senators
Ended Draft
Public Works=decreased unemployment
20 new provinces=land to landless
Julian Calendar
Beware the Ides of March!
44 BCE
The Second Triumvirate
Octavian
Marc Antony
Marcus Lepidus
What do you call an alligator wearing a vest?
Warm Up
Based on Document 2 of last night’s
homework, name the most significant way in
which Roman government is similar to US
government. Why do you think of the
similarities, that this one is most important?
Octavian Augustus:
Rome’s First Emperor
Accomplishments of Augustus
•Encouraged trade
•Long-lasting system of government
•Buildings and monuments
•Common coinage
•Public works programs
•Civil Service
Pax Romana: 27 BCE – 180 CE
Pantheon
Greek v. Roman Gods
http://mistupid.com/mythology/
Roman
Aqueducts
The Roman Colosseum
The Colosseum Interior
The Greatest Extent of the
Roman Empire – 14 CE
Imperial Roman Road System
Eurasian Trade
The Rise of Christianity
St. Paul:
Apostle to the Gentiles
The Spread of Christianity
Early Christian Church
Diocletian Splits the Empire
in Two: 294 CE
Constantine: 312 - 337
Constantinople: The 2nd Rome
Founded in 330
Theodosius
• Upon his death Empire
Divided• 395 CE
• Western part—Roman
Empire
• Eastern part—Byzantine
Empire with capital in
Byzantium
[Constantinople]
• Christianity=religion of
Empire
Barbarian Invasions: 4c-5c
The Legacy of Rome
 Republic Government
 Roman Law
 Latin Language
 Roman Catholic Church
 City Planning
 Romanesque Architectural Style
 Roman Engineering
- aqueducts
- sewage systems
- dams

- concrete
- arch
Fall of Roman Empire
Military
Threat from barbarians
Recruitment problems
Decline of patriotism and loyalty
Political
Civil war and unrest
Political corruption
Division of Empire
Economic
Poor harvests
Inflation
Increased taxes
Social
Lack of interest in public affairs
Lack of patriotism
Contrast between rich and poor