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Rome
The Pre-Roman World
Early Influences
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From the Greeks
Agriculture
Architecture
Alphabet
Literature
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From the Etruscans
Army
Clothing
Streets
Temples
Public Buildings
Geography and Rome
Rome is located in the center of
the Italian peninsula. This
location helped the Romans
expand in Italy and beyond.
The Apennine Mountains run
down the center of Italy but are
not too rugged.
Fertile plains supported a
growing population.
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Ancestors of the Romans
settled along the Tiber River.
These villages eventually grew
into Rome.
How was Greco-Roman civilization
formed?
The Romans borrowed heavily from Greek culture after
they conquered Greece.
At the same time, Roman generals carried
achievements of Roman civilization to conquered lands.
The blending of Roman, Hellenistic, and Greek
traditions produced Greco-Roman civilization.
Trade and travel during the Pax Romana helped spread
this new civilization.
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The Roman Republic:
In 509 B.C., the Romans drove out the Etruscans and set up a new
government, which they called a republic. In a republic, some
officials are chosen by the people.
In the early republic, the senate dominated the government.
Its members were patricians, or members of the landholding
class.
Little by little, the plebeians, or common people, gained some political
power. These included the right to elect their own officials, called tribunes.
The tribunes could veto, or block, laws that they felt harmed plebeians.
More than 2,000 years later, the framers of the United States
Constitution would adapt Roman ideas of government, such as the
OwlTeacher.com senate, the veto, and checks on political power.
3 Important Groups in the
Roman Republic:
 The
Senate
 The Assembly of the
Centuries
 The Assembly of the Tribes
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The Roman Senate
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The Senate was the most powerful
group in the government.
Composed of three hundred men
 Controlled public funds
 Controlled political appointments
 Determined foreign policy
 Sometimes acted as a court
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The Assembly of the
Centuries
Divided its voters into voting units
called centuries.
 Each century had 100 members
 There were 193 centuries in the
Assembly
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The Council of the Plebs
Made up of citizens grouped into
35 tribes according to where they
lived
 The group was controlled by the
plebeians, or commoners.
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Roman Republic
Government Officials
Legislative Bodies
Praetors—controlled civil law as it Senate—select group of 300
applied to citizens and nonpatricians, serving for life, who
citizens
advised government officials
Consuls—ran the government and Centuriate assembly—elected
led Roman army into battle
officials and passed laws, based on
wealth
Tribunes of the plebs—officials
given the power to protect the
plebians
Council of the plebs—popular
assembly for the plebians—
eventually could pass laws for all
Romans
How the Roman
Republic works
Patricians and Plebeians
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Patricians – aristocrats of the early
Roman Republic.
 The word patrician comes from
the Latin word pater, which means
father.
 This word was also used to
describe the members of the
Roman Senate.
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 Patricians
came from
wealthy
families.
 They
controlled the
government,
army, and
state religion.
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The Life of the Patricians
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Plebeians – the commoners in the
early Roman Republic.
Included freed slaves, peasant
farmers, and dependents of patricians.
 Denied many rights.
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The Life of the Plebeians
 For
many years,
plebeians were
unable to vote, hold
public office, or
become priests.
 They were not
allowed to marry
outside their class.
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The Government of Ancient Rome
• In 451 B.C.,
government officials
wrote down Rome’s
laws onto the Twelve
Tables which were
hung in the forum
for all citizens to see
• The Twelve Tables
were based on the
idea that all citizens
had a right to the
These laws formed the basis of
individual rights of Roman citizens.
 The laws dealt with:
 Legal procedures
 Property ownership
 Building codes
 Punishment for crimes
 And marriage customs
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The Law of the Twelve Tables
could be modified and
expanded in two ways:
1.
2.
New laws were passed when
they were needed.
Judges interpreted the old laws
to fit new circumstances.
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The concept that certain basic
legal principles are common to
all humans was first developed
during Roman times!
An example is the principle that
people are innocent until proven
guilty.
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The Republic Expands
(350 B.C.E. to 150 B.C.E)
Romans secured
peninsula because of
military colonies and
generous policy toward
the people they
conquered
•Free from taxation
•Govern their own
internal affairs
•Participate in trade
•Take Roman spouses
• Treated defeated enemies fairly
• Gave rights to conquered
people
•Must provide military
support and alliance
• Skilled diplomacy
• Loyal, well-trained
army
The Republic Expands
Carthage was the dominant political power in north Africa (excluding Egypt), the
southern part of the Iberian peninsula, and the western region of Sicily.
Meanwhile, Hellenistic empires dominated the eastern Mediterranean,
Macedon, Egypt, Syria, and Anatolia. The Hellenes (Greeks) had a thriving
network of maritime commerce in the Mediterranean.
The Republic Expands
The Carthaginians controlled the north central coast of Africa and the western
Mediterranean.
One of their trade networks focused on the mineral wealth of Spain, especially
its silver mines. Carthage developed ports and cities in Sicily and Sardinia to
protect that route.
The Republic Expands
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Between 264 and 146 B.C.E., Rome fought
Carthage in three conflicts known as the
Punic Wars.
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Competition for grain in the western
Mediterranean (Sicily) (Romans burned
Carthage to the ground and forced 50,000
survivors into slavery)
Rome seized Carthaginian possessions in
north Africa and Iberia (grain, oil, wine, silver,
and gold used to finance imperial expansion)
Roman Society:
FAMILY
WOMEN
The family was the basic unit of
Roman society.
Women gained greater freedom
and influence over the centuries.
Male was head of household and
had absolute authority.
Some women ran businesses.
Most worked at home, raising
families.
EDUCATION
Both girls and boys learned
to read and write.
Education was highly
valued
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RELIGION
Gods and goddesses resembled
those of Greeks and Etruscans.
Religious festivals inspired sense of
community.
Romans built many temples for
worship.
After the Punic Wars, Rome conquered
new territories in Northern Europe &
gained great wealth
One of the generals who led
Rome’s expansion was a
politician named Julius Caesar
Problems for the Roman Republic
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Rome’s expansion brought wealth,
but also created problems:
 The addition of new lands & sources
of slave labor increased the gap
between the rich & poor
 Generals who controlled the armies
became more powerful than the
politicians in the Senate
 Struggles for power led to a series
of civil wars in Rome
The Rise & Fall of Julius Caesar
• Julius Caesar took advantage of the
chaos in Rome & was named dictator in
46 B.C.
• Julius Caesar was one of the greatest
statesmen and military leaders that the
world has ever known.
• His brilliant leadership resulted in many
reforms and helped make Rome the
center of a region that extended across
Europe.
Caesar’s Accomplishments
Governed the empire
 Improved the calendar system
 Tried to reconcile opponents by
appointing them to office
 Set up colonies (such as Corinth and
Carthage) where poor people in
Rome could go to improve their way
of living
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Stopped dishonest government
practices
Granted Roman citizenship to many of
the conquered people
Planned a way to reorganize city
government in Italy
Replaced dishonest governors with
honest ones
Gave free gain only to the people who
really needed it
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Planned the founding of public libraries
Planned construction of a canal across
Isthmus of Corinth
Known as a great writer and orator
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Julius Caesar was able to accomplish
many things, but he also made
enemies of some important Roman
leaders.
 In 44 B.C. Caesar was murdered on the
steps of the Senate by a group of
Roman aristocrats who feared his
power.
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This marked the end of the Roman
Republic and the beginning of the
Roman Empire ruled by emperors.
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End of the Republic & Rise of the Empire
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Caesar’s death changed Rome:
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People no longer trusted the Senate
to rule Rome & the Roman Republic came to an end
& the empire began
Caesar Augustus
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In his will, Julius Caesar named his
grandnephew, Octavian (better known as
Caesar Augustus) as heir to rule Rome.
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However, when
Caesar died, there
was a scramble to
gain control of the
government.
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The Second
Triumvirate was
formed in 43 B.C.
with Octavian,
Mark Antony, and
Lepidus.
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Photos courtesy of HBO
productions
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Octavian eventually gained sole power,
just like Julius Caesar wanted.
When Lepidus retired, Octavian’s only rival was
Marc Antony.
He was given the title Augustus, which
means “exalted one” in 27 B.C.
From that time on, he was known as
Caesar Augustus.
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Photo courtesy of HBO
productions
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Marc Antony led the Roman army in Egypt,
where he met and fell in love with Cleopatra.
Antony and Cleopatra hoped to oust Octavian
and rule together, but Octavian used the
relationship between Antony and the unpopular
Cleopatra to his advantage.
He told the Roman people that Cleopatra had
cast a spell on Antony.
Octavian argued that Antony was willing to give
away the Roman world to a foreign woman.
The Roman people supported Octavian when he
declared war on Antony and Cleopatra.
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Octavian’s forces defeated Antony and
Cleopatra’s ships in the Battle of Actium on the
Mediterranean Sea in 31bc.
Antony and Cleopatra managed to escape the
encounter and returned to Egypt, but when
Octavian’s army approached, Marc Antony
committed suicide.
When Cleopatra learned of Antony’s death, she
realized she would soon no longer be Queen.
According to legend, Cleopatra wrapped an asp
around her arm.
The asp was a venomous snake that was the
symbol for the Egyptian royalty.
The asp’s bite supposedly ended Cleopatra’s life.
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Augustus’ reforms:
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Created efficient civil service to enforce the
laws.
Opened up high-level jobs to men of talent,
regardless of race.
Allowed cities and provinces to govern
themselves.
Ordered a census, or population count, in
order to make the tax system more fair.
Set up a postal service and issued new coins.
Employed the jobless.
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From Republic to Empire:
Civil wars
Julius Caesar forces the Roman senate to make him dictator.
Caesar institutes reforms to try to solve Rome’s many problems.
Caesar is killed by enemies who feared that he planned to make
himself king of Rome.
More civil wars break out.
Octavian defeats Mark Antony in a struggle for power.
The Roman senate gives Octavian the title of Augustus, or
Exalted One, and declares him first citizen.
The 500-year republic comes to an end. The age of
the Roman empire begins.
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Roman Empire and Roman
Peace
Augustus laid the foundation for a stable government that
would function well for 200 years. This period was called
the Pax Romana.
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Pax Romana
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Pax Romana – the Roman peace, was the
period from 27 B.C. to A.D. 180.
The period of peace was brought about by
the ability of the Romans to rule others
and maintain their authority through an
efficient government both at home and
abroad.
The Roman law, military organization,
trade, and transportation helped to hold
the empire together.
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Government was the strongest tie holding
the peace.
The Roman army also helped to maintain
the Roman peace.
Auxiliaries – troops from the provinces
that assisted the Roman army.
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They were promised Roman citizenship at the
end of their service.
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Trade Routes
Roman Advances in Literature, History, and
Philosophy:
History
Historians wrote about
the rise and fall of
Roman power.
Poetry
Philosophy
Writers imitated Greek styles in
prose and poetry.
Roman philosophers borrowed
heavily from the Greeks.
Virgil praised Rome’s heroic
past in the Aeneid.
Stoics emphasized acceptance
of one’s fate and concern for
the well-being of others.
Poets used verse to satirize,
or
make fun of, Roman society.
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Roman Advances in Art and Science:
Technology
Built roads, bridges,
and harbors throughout
empire (concrete)
Built many aqueducts
Art
Sculptors stressed
realism.
Artists depicted life scenes
in frescoes and mosaics.
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Science
Romans left scientific research to
the Greeks.
Ptolemy proposed that Earth was
the center of the universe.
Galen used experiments to prove a
conclusion.
Architecture
Emphasized grandeur
Improved column and arch
Developed rounded dome
Gifts From Ancient Rome
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Rome has made many contributions to our
own society.
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The capital letters of our alphabet were given
their final form by the Romans.
Roman numerals
The names of the months on our calendar
also came from Rome.
In many areas conquered by Rome, the Latin
language became part of the native language.
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Roman Law:
During the Roman empire, these principles of law
fostered unity and stability:
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An accused person was presumed to be
innocent until proven guilty.
The accused was permitted to face the
accuser and offer a defense.
Guilt had to be established through
evidence.
Judges were expected to interpret the laws
and make fair decisions.
Centuries later, these principles would become the basis
for legal systems in Europe and the Americas.
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Roman Religion
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The religion of Rome was centered around
trying to please the gods.
Polytheism – the worship of many gods.
Each god was linked to a particular human
activity.
Every activity honoring the gods had to be
carried out in the appropriate space.
Each god has an assigned space.
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The Culture of Ancient Rome
Roman religion was polytheistic
& based on the Greek gods
(usually only the names changed)
The Teachings of Jesus
Some of Jesus’ teachings were rooted in Judaism:
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Belief in one God
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Ten Commandments
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Mercy and sympathy for the poor and helpless
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Obedience to the laws of Moses
Jesus also preached new beliefs:
1)
2)
3)
Called himself the Son of God
Proclaimed that he brought salvation and eternal
life to anyone who would believe in him
Jesus also emphasized God’s love and taught the
need for justice, morality, and service to others.
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Spread of Christianity
At first, the apostles and
disciples preached only in
Judea.
Disciples began to preach in
Jewish communities
throughout the Roman world.
Jews who accepted the
beliefs of Jesus became the
first Christians.
Paul spread Christianity
beyond the Jewish
communities, to non-Jews.
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The Early Christian Church
Early Christian communities shared a common
faith and a common way of worship.
A bishop was responsible for all Christians in a
particular area called a diocese.
Gradually, some bishops became patriarchs, with
authority over other bishops in their area.
The Christian Church thus developed a hierarchy.
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Religious Diversity in the Early Empire
As long as people honored Roman gods and
acknowledged the divine spirit of the emperor, they were
allowed to worship other gods as they pleased.
After the Romans conquered Judea, they excused the
monotheistic Jews from worshiping the Roman gods.
Rome mistrusted Christians because they refused to make
sacrifices to the emperor or honor the Roman gods.
Roman officials persecuted the Christians. Many Christians
became martyers, people who suffer or die for their
beliefs.
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The Empire in Crisis
With the end of the Pax Romana, political and economic
turmoil rocked the Roman empire.
Political Problems
Emperors were repeatedly
overthrown or assassinated.
In one 50-year period, 26
emperors ruled, and only
one died of natural causes.
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Economic & Social Problems
High taxes to support the
army burdened business
people and farmers.
Poor farmers were forced to
work and live on wealthy
estates.
Over cultivated farmland lost
its productivity.
Two Reformers
Diocletian
Divided the empire into 2
parts each with 2 rulers to
make it easier to govern
Tried to increase the prestige
of the emperor
Fixed prices to slow inflation,
or the rapid rise of prices
Established laws to ensure
steady production of food and
goods
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Constantine
Continued Diocletian’s reforms
Granted toleration to Christians,
which led to the rapid growth of
Christianity (Edict of Milan)
Under Theodosius the Great,
Rome adopted Christianity
as its official religion.
Built a new capital at
Constantinople, making the
eastern part of the empire the
center of power
Foreign Invasions
A weakened Rome could not withstand the forces
of Germanic invasions.
The Huns dislodged other Germanic peoples and,
little by little, conquered the Roman empire.
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A Bit of Perspective