Download Rome: From City to Empire (p

Rome: From City to Empire (p.134)
While the Greeks were moving down into the Aegean area, tribes speaking
another Indo-European dialect made their way from the North into central
Italy. There they mingled with earlier inhabitants to form the Latin people.
Some of them settled near the mouth of the Tiber River building a cluster of
huts on low-lying hills along the river – the famed “Seven Hills” These
settlements joined together to form a city-state around 750 B.C. By 500 B.C.
Rome had grown into a chief power of Latium, an area reaching some one
hundred miles southward.
The Etruscans, whose background is mysterious, arrived about the 9th
century B.C. and gained control of Northern Italy during the 7th century B.C.
The Etruscans and the Greeks were the biggest influence on the Romans.
I. Etruscans
A. 616 B.C. conquered the peoples of Italy and joined them
together being ruled under Etruscan Kings
B. Introduced an urban environment and built roads, bridges,
tunnels, and walls to protect Rome from invasion
C. failed to assimilate the conquered peoples
D. 509 B.C. overrun by the people of Rome and ejected
E. Romans learned from the Etruscans the art of war, politics,
religion, and agriculture as well as adapted street plans,
gladiatorial combat, and the masonry arch
II. Early Republic
A. After driving out the Etruscans the Romans set up a
Republic
B. The republic was headed by two consuls or elected officials
who enforced the laws of Rome.
C. The consuls were advised by a senate of 300 men who
served for a life term
D. Patricians, wealthy land owners, held all seats
E. Plebeians, common citizens, few legal rights and could not
vote – big complaint was no written law code in early yrs.
F. They were members of Roman assembly but were overruled
by Senate
G. Essentially a Plutocracy (rule by the rich)
III. Rome Conquers Italy
A. By 270 B.C. Rome conquered all northern neighboring
tribes and all Greek lands to the South
B. Rome controlled Army but let conquered peoples rule
themselves
C. The Roman Army - main reason for expansion
1. divided into legions (6000 soldiers)
2. Consul led Army
3. Dictator would rule in emergencies but appointed for
only 6 years maximum by the senate
4. Latest war weapons (ex. Siege towers)
IV. Roman Power Spreads
A. Punic Wars – 3 Wars with Carthaginians over control of
the Mediterranean Sea Trade (264B.C.-146B.C.)
st
1 - Strong navy gave Rome control of Sicily, Corsica,
and Sardinia
2nd - Began in 218B.C.; Hannibal , a General for
Carthage, marched army through Spain and over the Alps
to attack Rome. Hannibal won many battles, then Rome
attacked Carthage and Rome finally defeated Carthage
3rd – Romans completely destroyed Carthage and gained
all Carthaginian colonies (Sicily, Spain, & Africa)
B. Eastward Expansion
1. around 200B.C. Greek ambassadors appealed to
Rome to help free them from the Macedonian Kings
2. Because of admiration of Hellenistic culture and greed
the Romans slowly gained control of one city-state
after another until they were supreme leader of the
eastern Mediterranean.
V. Caesar
A. Julius Caesar born about 100 B.C. in Rome.
B. brilliant army General
a. drove Germans out of Gaul
b. Invaded Britain in 55 B.C.
C. 60 B.C. joined Triumvirate (ruling committee of 3)
D. 48 B.C. dictator for life after defeating Pompey in Greece
E. 44 B.C. stabbed to death by Senate on Ides of March which
marked the end of the Roman Republic
Discussion Questions
1. How was the early Roman Republic formed, and what was this
representative government like?
2. How did the Romans expand their power and take over all of Italy?
3. What new lands did the Romans conquer beyond the borders of Italy as a
result of the Punic wars?
4. How did Rome grow from a small city into a huge empire?