Download of the Romans.

Chapter 8 Section 1
World History
Deborah Thompson
Geography played an
important role in the
rise of Roman
civilization.
Italy is a narrow
peninsula in the
Mediterranean that
looks like a high-heeled
boot jutting into the
sea.
The “heel” points
toward Greece
and the “toe” toward
the island of Sicily.
Across the top are the Alps, craggy
mountains that separate Italy
from other European lands.
The Apennines can be crossed
more easily than the mountains of Greece.
This resulted in
settlements not
split up into
isolated
communities like in
Greece.
The farmland of
these mountains
was better than
those of Greece.
(more food means
MORE PEOPLE!)
People on
the Move!
Groups from
the
north settled in
Italy between
1500 B.C.
and 1000 B.C.
Newcomers
were
attracted to
mild climate and
rich soil,
and among these were
the Latins, who built
the city of Rome on
the plain of Latium
in central Italy.
The site chosen was about
15 miles up the
Tiber River
from the
Mediterranean Sea.
Rome was
The
built on seven
Tiber River
steep hills,
was a
so the
Where was
water source
Romans
Rome
and outlet to
were able
located?
the
to protect their
Mediterranean
city from
Sea.
attack.
Rome became a stopping
point for people traveling north
and south in western Italy
and for merchant ships sailing
in the western Mediterranean Sea.
A bridge over the Tiber River
The traditional story is
that twin brothers Romulus
and Remus founded the city.
As babies they were
abandoned near the Tiber
River and rescued by
a wolf and raised
by a shepherd.
 They decided to
build the city in 753 B.C.
but fought as Remus
made fun of the wall
that his brother was building.
Romulus killed
Remus
and then
became the
first king of Rome.
The other story involves the Aenied
written by Roman poet Virgil.
It is the story of the Trojan hero Aeneas. He and his
followers are said to have sailed the Med. Sea after the
Greeks captured Troy. The Trojans landed at the mouth
of the Tiber. Aeneas united the Trojans and the Latins
through war and then marriage to the local king’s
daughter. He became the “father” of the Romans.
The other story involves the Aenied
written
Roman arrived
poet Virgil.
Historians think
thebyLatins
in the early 1000s B.C.,
built huts,
tended sheep,
It is the story of the Trojan hero Aeneas. He and his
followers are
to have
sailed the Med. Sea after the
andsaid
formed
a community
Greeks that
captured
Troy. The
Trojans
landed at the mouth
eventually
became
Rome.
of the Tiber. Aeneas united the Trojans and the Latins
through war and then marriage to the local king’s
daughter. He became the “father” of the Romans.
The Greeks and the
Etruscans played a major
role in shaping Roman
civilization.
From the
Greeks the
Romans
learned to grow
olives and
grapes, the
Greek alphabet,
architecture,
sculpture, and
literature.
After 800
B.C., other
groups
migrated to
Italy.
Many Greeks
came when
they were
building
colonies
between 750
B.C. and 550
B.C.
After 650 B.C.
they moved
south and took
control of Rome
and most of
Latium.
were
metalworkers
who became
rich from
mining and
trade
The Etruscans
lived north of
Rome in Etruria
.
forced slaves
to do the
heaviest
work
had tomb
paintings that
show men and
women feasting,
dancing, and
playing music
and sports
They left behind
painted scenes
showing bloody
battles and pride
in their military.
They changed Rome
from a village of
straw huts to
a city with wood
and brick buildings,
streets, temples,
public buildings
around a
central square
More on the
Etruscans!
They taught
Romans new dress
with cloaks and togas
(loose garments
draped over
one shoulder)
They had an army
that served as the
model for the mighty
army the Romans
eventually
assembled.
The Romans created a
Republic and conquered
Italy. By treating people
fairly, they built Rome from
a small city into a great
power.
The Etruscans
ruled
Rome for more
than 100 years.
The ruling family,
called the Tarquins,
grew more
and more cruel.
In 509 B.C. the
Romans overthrew
the Tarquins and
set up a republic.
In a
republic
the CITIZENS
have power!
A republic is a
form of government
in which the leader
is not a king or queen
but someone put in
office by citizens
with the right
to vote.
At the time
Rome
became a
republic,
it was still a
small city with
many enemies.
In 338 B.C.,
they finally
Defeated the
other Latins
nearby and
defeated the
Etruscans in
284 B.C.
By 267 B.C., the
Romans had
conquered
the Greeks in
southern
Italy and became
the masters of
almost all
of Italy.
Every male citizen who owned land had to serve in the army.
Discipline was harsh and deserters were put to death.
They were problem solvers and developed effective military
strategies.
Started with …
At first they fought like the Greeks (shoulder to shoulder
with spears in hand).
Then this happened …
The Roman generals organized soldiers into smaller
groups called legions that had about 6,000 men.
And that led to this …
Groups were further divided into groups of 60 and
120 men and could easily cut through enemy lines.
So this happened …
Roman soldiers, or legionaries, were armed with a
short sword called a gladius and a spear called a pilum.
The results were …
Each unit carried its own standard-a tall poll with a
symbol. The standards helped keep units together.
They built
permanent military
settlements in
the areas
they conquered.
They built roads
between these towns
that allowed troops to
travel swiftly to any
place in their
growing territory.
Romans gave full citizenship
to some peoples, especially
other Latins.
Citizens could vote and serve
in the government, and they
were treated the same as
other citizens under the law.
They created the Roman
Confederation to rule their new
conquests.
The Romans granted
other peoples the status
of allies.
They knew that conquered
peoples would be more loyal
to the government if they
were well treated.
Allies were free to run their
own local affairs but had to
pay taxes to the republic and
provide soldiers for the army.
Romans were not afraid to
use force if necessary to put
down any revolt.