The Romans
EQ 4: In what ways were the
Romans influenced by
Greek culture?
Key Terms: Romulus & Remus,
republic
Cultures Combine
Greek & Roman cultures
have many similarities
Classical—Greco-Roman
culture
Roman Culture Derived
from the Greeks—
1. Mythology
**Took Greek gods, changed
their names
Given same powers, attributes
**Only original myth is the
Founding of Rome, based on
story of Romulus & Remus
Roman Culture Derived
from the Greeks—
2. Government
**Unwritten law against trying
to make oneself a king
What type of govt was invented
in Athens?
**Republic—democratic form of
govt. where the people elect
representatives
**Consul—Chief Executive in govt.;
two consuls served for one
year, had to work with Senators
(checks and balances of power)
Roman Culture Derived
from the Greeks—
3. Architecture
Copied Greek columns
Added innovations of domes
and arches
**Pantheon—Roman temple to
all the gods
Roman Culture Derived
from the Greeks—
4. Literature
Emperor Augustus Caesar
wanted to instill patriotism
in subjects
**Virgil wrOte The Aeneid;
patterned after Homer’s
Iliad and Odyssey.
EQ 5: How did Rome become
an empire?
Key Terms: Julius Caesar,
Augustus Caesar, Pax
Romana, Christianity
Julius Caesar
**Came to power when Rome
was weak, strengthened it
Became popular due to
conquest of Gaul
**Est. (and dominated) First
Triumvirate, three men ruled
Rome
Voted as consul for ten
years
**Took title of Consul for
Life, became a dictator
**Assassinated by Senators
March 15, 44 B.C.
Augustus Caesar
**Born
Octavian,
Julius’
grandnephew
**Formed
Second
Triumvirate,
led civil war
against
senators
Forced other Triumvirate
members out of power
Was begged by remaining
senators to become Consul for
Life, declined at first
**27 B.C. took name Augustus
(“Exalted One”), became 1st
emperor,
**His rule began the Pax Romana
Ruled until death in 14 A.D. at age
76
Pax Romana, 27 BC – 180 AD
**“Roman Peace”, a golden age
of Peace & prosperity in
Roman empire
Started with the rule of
Augustus Caesar
No fighting within borders,
advancements made
A violent society
Violence came in
entertainment
Colosseum—**arena where
gladiator contests were
held
Circus Maximus—**site FOr
chariot races
http://movieclips.com/nmXGu-ben-hurmovie-the-chariot-race/
Infamous emperors
Caligula
Nero
Christianity
Roman empire took over
Jerusalem
**Jesus Christ & followers
started religious movement that
spread all over the empire
**Apostle Paul wrote Epistles
(letters) to Christian groups
Started Christian congregation
(churches)
Persecution of Christians
Were very unpopular
**Refused to worship Roman
gods
**Refused to worship the
emperor as a god
**Refused to enter the
military
Martyrs—held to their
beliefs, were persecuted &
executed
EQ 6: What caused the fall
of the Roman Empire?
Key Terms: Constantine, Edict
of Milan, Byzantium,
Constantinople, Germanic
Tribes
Political Problems
Death of Marcus Aurelius
marked end of Pax Romana
From 192 – 284 A.D., 28
emperors, **Power struggles
& civil wars
**Attacks from Germanic
Tribes
Economic Problems
Attacks disrupted trade,
Emperors bankrupted
treasury on luxury spending
Agriculture declined b/c
land destroyed by war;
**Govt printed money w/o
worthInflation
Military Problems
Size of army decreased
during peacetime, became
weak; Roman soldiers would
only fight for $
**Govt. began to hire
mercenaries (soldiers for
hire) from Germanic Tribes,
who fought for less $, but
were not loyal
The capital is moved
**Constantine, first Christian
emperor of Rome
**Constantine Issued Edict of
Milan, 313 AD—granted freedom
of religion in Roman Empire
**Moved capital to Byzantium
City, located on the eastern side
of the empire, was wealthy &
well-fortified Byzantium
it was eventually renamed
Constantinople
The Empire Falls
**Rome & western empire fell
to Germanic Tribes in 476 AD
Eastern empire continued
another 1000 years, became
the Byzantine Empire
Impact
Roman contributions exist today
Government
Architecture
Literature
Language—Romance Languages
are derived from Latin
Esp. still influential in Europe and
the USA