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Rome’s Beginnings
The Origins of Rome
• Geography was important for the rise of
Roman civilization.
• Across the top are the Alps, high
mountains that separate Italy from
European lands to the north.
• Italy’s mountain slopes level off to large
flat plains that are ideal for agriculture.
• http://www.roman-empire.net/
Where was Rome located?
• Rome was built about 15 miles up the
Tiber River
• Rome was far enough from the sea to
escape raids from pirates.
• Rome was built on a series of seven hills,
making it easy to defend the city.
• Rome became a stopping place for
merchant ships sailing in the
Mediterranean.
Italy and the Tiber River
How did Rome begin?
• Twin brothers named Romulus and Remus
founded the city in 753 B.C.
• As babies, the boys were abandoned near
the Tiber.
• They were rescued by a wolf and raised by a
shepherd.
• Romulus killed Remus and became the first
king of Rome, which he named after himself.
Early Influences
• From the Greeks
• From the Etruscans
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Agriculture
Architecture
Alphabet
Literature
Army
Clothing
Streets
Temples
Public Buildings
The Birth of the Republic
• The ruling family, called the Tarquis was
cruel.
• In 509 B.C. The Romans rebelled.
• They overthrew the Tarquis and
established a republic.
• Over the next 200 years, the Romans
fought war after war against their
neighbors.
Why was Rome so strong?
• Excellent soldiers
• Tough discipline
transformed soldiers
into fighters who
didn’t give up easily,
• The army was well
organized.
Shrewd Rulers
• Romans were great planners.
• They built permanent military settlements.
• They allowed conquered people to have
Roman citizenship and were treated under
the Roman law.
Locating Places
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Sicily (SIH-suh-lee)
Apennines (A-puh-NYNZ)
Latium (LAY-Shee-uhm)
Tiber River (TY-buhr)
Etruria (ih-TRUR-ee-uh)
Meeting People
• Romulus (RAHM-yuhluhs)
• Remus (REE-muhs)
• Aeneas (ih-NEE-uhs)
• Latins (LA-tuhnz)
• Etruscans (ihTRUHS-kuhnz)
• Tarquins (TAHRkwinhnz)