The Legacy of Rome
 Republic Government
 Roman Law (basis for West. Civilization law &
govt)
 Latin Language
 Christianity (facilitates its spread / & the
Roman Catholic Church)
 Becomes largest empire, most powerful
military power, many cultures, many peoples
 Dominates Mediterranean trade; great wealth
/ attractions
 Romanesque Architectural Style
 Roman Engineering (Aqueducts, Sewage
systems, Dams, The “Roman Road”, Arches)
 The “fall” of Rome – 476 C.E. and the
eastern Byzantine Empire “carrying” on
Roman traditions for the next 1000 years
The Geography of Rome
Italy in 750 BCE
The Etruscans’ Influence
 Writing
 Religion
 The Arch
The Mythical Founding of
Rome:
Romulus & Remus
Roman Government
• Patrician – Wealthy aristocrats / held most
political power
• Plebeians – Common people
• Consuls – 2 consuls at a time served as
“rulers” or “executives” for Rome (very
limited power – one year term, veto power)
• The Senate – Aristocratic body that served
Rome’s legislative/admin functions. 300
members, life term, only patricians
• Office of Tribune – Representative body for
Plebeians. Power to intervene and VETO
• Dictator – When civil/military crises arose, a
dictator was appointed. He held absolute
power for 6 months. Provided strong
leadership during tough times.
Republican Government
2 Consuls
(Rulers of Rome)
Senate
(Representative body for patricians)
The Tribunes
(Representative body for plebeians) –
remember the “veto” power
Rome: From Republic to Empire
• Many enemies lived just
beyond Rome
(Etruscans/Gauls)
• By 1st and 2nd Centuries
BCE, Rome began
expanding
• Established military
colonies
• Had generous policy
toward conquered people
(exempt from tax, govern
own affairs, some
citizenship – all provided
they gave mil. support to
Rome)
Carthaginian Empire
Biggest Rival: Carthage
• Major trading power in
Mediterranean
• Rome’s biggest rival
• Rivalry leads to Punic
Wars (3 altogether)
– 264-146 BCE
– Fought over economic
competition in Med. Sea
– Rome’s win means they’re
the dominant Med. Force –
and now an Empire
Hannibal’s Route
Reform Leaders
 Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
•
the poor should be given grain
and small plots of free land.
Military Reformer
 Gaius Marius
•
recruited an army from the poor
and homeless.
•
professional standing army.
Civil War & Dictators
Julius Caesar
Pompey
Julius Caesar
• Sought social reforms in Rome
• Won elections into gov’t, became very popular with the
poor classes (offered free grain, public spectacles,
building projects)
• Conquered Gaul, other surrounding regions, as
general
• Named dictator for life
• Gave land to armies and poor, extended Roman
citizenship to conquered peoples
• Elites thought he was becoming tyrannical, and
assassinated him
Beware the Ides of March!
44 BCE
Et tu, Brutus?
Octavian Augustus:
Rome’s First Emperor
Pax Romana: 27 BCE – 180 CE
The “Roman Peace”
• Emp. Augustus provided
relative stability/peace to
Rome
• Rome became great
facilitator of trade and
communication
Rome’s Early Road System
Roman Roads:
The Appian Way
Imperial Roman Road System
The Twelve Tables, 450 BCE
 Providing political and social
rights for the plebeians.
Roman Law
• Provides great political stability during
Pax Romana
• Laws applied evenly throughout empire
• Major principles adopted throughout
Western Civilization
– Innocent until proven guilty
– Right to face/challenge accusers in court
– Judges can set aside unfair laws
The Roman Forum
Roman Aqueducts
The Roman Coliseum
The Coliseum Interior
Circus Maximus
The Greatest Extent of the
Roman Empire – 14 CE
The Rise of Christianity
Jesus of Nazareth
• Jewish teacher from Nazareth, born c. 3
CE
• Peaceful, teaching about devotion to
God, love for one another
• Drew crowds for devotion and
performance of miracles – preached
“Kingdom of God is at hand”
• Seen as a threat to Roman authorities
• Executed by crucifixion – rising 3 days
later
• Account of his life written in the four
Gospels of the New Testament
Spread/Appeal of
Christianity
• Early years: Christians persecuted
by Romans
• Appealed to masses by preaching
dignity of all – including low classes
and both genders
• Promise of eternal life
• Grows to become official religion of
Roman Emp. by c. 300 CE
St. Paul:
Apostle to the Gentiles
The Spread of Christianity
Imperial Roman Road System
The Empire in Crisis: 3c
Diocletian Splits the
Empire in Two: 294 CE
Constantine: 312 - 337
Constantinople: “The 2nd
Rome” (Founded in 330)
Barbarian Invasions: 4c-5c
Attila the Hun:
“The Scourge of God”
Byzantium:
The Eastern Roman Empire
The Byzantine Empire
During the Reign of Justinian
The Byzantine Emperor
Justinian
The Legacy of Rome
Republic Government
Roman Law
Latin Language
Christianity (Roman Catholic Church)
Trade
City Planning
Romanesque Architectural Style
Roman Engineering (Aqueducts,
Sewage systems, Dams, The “Roman
Road”, Arches)
 The “fall” of Rome – 476 C.E. and
the eastern Byzantine Empire
“carrying” on Roman traditions for
the next 1000 years







