Download Rise of Rome - WordPress.com

Name:
Date:
Period:
Mrs. Schinkel
SS8 – Pathways
Rise of Rome
Rise of Rome
Despite its small size, the people of Europe have had an enormous
impact on world culture.
Ancient cultures such as the Greeks, Romans, Franks, Saxons and
Vikings have all contributed to the modern “western” culture that
exists today.
European history is the rise and fall of these cultures, some by force,
some by religious changes and some by social or cultural changes.
After the Greeks fell to the Romans in 150 B.C., the Romans
dominated almost all of Europe for more than 6 Centuries (600
years).
Under the Romans, Europe flourished.
Latin became a common language and Roman law applied to
everyone allowing trade to expand.
Questions to think about….
1.
2.
3.
What do you already know about Rome and its history?
Have you seen any movies set in Rome?
Looking at Rome’s geography, what do you think makes it an
advantageous place for expansion and success?
SS8 – Pathways
Early Mid1 – Student Handout – Rise of Rome
The Rise of Rome
The great Greek conqueror,
Alexander the Great had planned to
march west to Italy after he finished
with Persia. He died before this plan
was carried out. As it turned out,
armies from Italy marched east and
took over much of the land
Alexander had conquered.
Italy had been settled by people
from the north, from Asia Minor, and
from Greece. The northerners were
called Latins. They learned much
from the other people of Italy. They worshiped the Greek gods though they gave
these gods new names. Writing and government were also modeled after the
Greeks. The people of Asia Minor taught them to build good roads. All these
things helped the people of Italy.
Like so many other places, the area of Italy began with many city-states. The
city of Rome was more powerful than any other. Because it was built on seven
hills, it was protected from its enemies. It used this safety to become a center of
trade for most of Italy. By 270 B.C., Rome had taken control of most of the other
city-states. It made these cities pay taxes to Rome and supply soldiers for
Rome’s army. In return, Rome protected them from attack by other nations.
Rome began to look for more lands to control. War broke out between Rome
and Carthage in northern Africa. Carthage had been a Phoencian colony and
had become strong. This war lasted on and off for about sixty-two years. Finally
Rome destroyed Carthage and was on its way to becoming more powerful.
During the seventy-five years that followed, Rome fought and defeated
Macedonia, Spain, and Greece. Roman rule went as far as Asia Minor and
Egypt. The Hebrew nation of Palestine also became part of the Roman Empire.
When Rome captured an area, it was made a province. This meant that Rome
governed it and received tax money and soldiers from that area. Many Romans
in government used this tax money for their own good and became very wealthy.
These wealthy people then bought large farms and used slaves to do the work.
In this way they became even wealthier. As more and more slaves were used for
work, the poor people couldn’t find jobs. This soon lead to troubles for Rome.
Rome Becomes Great
One of Rome’s many accomplishments was a new form of government. The
people of Rome were ruled by a republic, which is a government elected by the
people. As in Greece, the wealthy people had the most to say about
government. They elected the men who formed the Senate. These lawmakers
were elected for life. The senators also chose two consuls to rule Rome for a
year at a time.
At first the poor people had little to say about the government of Rome. Finally a
plan was worked out to include the common people. They could choose two
tribunes to represent them. If the tribunes felt a law was bad for the common
people, they could turn it down, no matter what the Senate said. The tribunes
also had the laws written down so everyone knew just what the laws were.
Most tribunes tried hard to help the people. Sometimes, though, when a tribune
tried too hard, members of the Senate would have him murdered. One famous
tribune killed himself when he heard the plans of his murder.
Roman schools were an improvement over those of other nations. They helped
carry on the ideas of the Greeks as well as start new ideas. These schools
trained boys to become lawyers, book-keepers, and government workers.
Education helped Rome become great.
The Language of Rome was itself a new idea. Latin was spoken by Romans
and all the people they conquered. Many modern languages such as French,
Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese came from the Latin of Rome. For many
hundreds of years, Latin was the language used by writers all over Europe. It is
still the official language of the Catholic Church all over the world. Many
prescriptions written by doctors today are still written in Latin.
Rome became great for other reasons as
well. Roman law spread over all the world
the Romans knew. The Roman calendar
was better than older calendars and
remained in use for over a thousand
years. Rome followed the example of
Persia and made roads connecting all
parts of their empire. Some of these
roads are still used even though they are
over 2,000 years old! Many Roman
buildings still stand too. Roman
aqueducts for carrying water from the
mountains to the cities are still bringing water thirsty people in Rome today.
SS8 – Pathways
Rise of Rome
Rise of Rome Assignment
Directions: Read the handout entitled The Rise of Rome and then follow the
instructions below. Complete all work on your own paper and in pen. Do not
double-space your work, but leave a space between each definition/answer.
Vocabulary. Provide definitions for the following words.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Latins
Rome
Carthage
Province
Republic
Senate
Aqueducts
Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1.
What happened when Rome conquered an area, and what did that region
now have to do for Rome? (2 - for quality of thought and inclusion of details)
2.
In your own words, describe the difference between a Senator and
Tribune. (2 - for quality of answer)
3.
Describe some of the things that were created or developed during the
Roman Empire that are still around or used today. (2 - for 2 descriptions)
4.
Using the maps included in your handout as well as your readings,
complete the crossword puzzle found opposite. (5 - for a correctly completed
crossword.)
Total: ____/ 18
Rise of Rome Crossword Puzzle
Across
1.
1.
8.
10.
This ocean is found west of the country of Gaul.
This continent is found south of the Mediterranean Sea.
This river in Africa starts in the south and flows north to empty into the Mediterranean Sea.
The Roman Empire controlled only half of this large island off the west coast of Europe (2
words)
13. Which of these controlled the most land; the Roman REPUBLIC or the EMPIRE?
15. This body of water was surrounded by the Roman Empire (2 words)
16. This narrow channel separates Spain from Africa (3 words)
Down
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
9.
11.
12.
14.
This chain of mountains runs along the Italian peninsula.
This famous Greek city-state is shown on the map.
South of the island of Sardinia was this city-state, which was destroyed by Rome.
These mountains lie between Italy and Gaul.
This city is the centre of the Roman Empire.
This body of water lies between Italy and Greece.
This peninsula lies south of the Black Sea (2 words).
This large island is found south of Greece.
Most of the Roman Empire lies on this continent.
The Danube Rive flows into this body of water (2 words)
This river was near the northern border of the Roman Empire.