Download Rome`s Beginnings

Rome’s Beginnings
Italy
• The country is in the shape
of a boot and is located in
the middle of the
Mediterranean Sea
• The toe points to Sicily
• The Alps form the border
in northern Italy.
• The Apennines mountain
range run almost the
whole length of Italy from
north to south!
• Rome is located along the
Tiber River
Italian Terrain
• Italy’s land was very easy to farm and ideal for growing crops
• Although it had mountains, they were less rugged than those of
Greece.
• Their climate was mild with rich soil.
Rome’s Location
• Traditional legend tells us that Rome was founded by
Romulus and Remus
• Rome was located on the Plain of Latium and the people
were known as Latins
• Rome was in a great location for several reasons….
– Tiber River was a good source of water and provided protection
from sea pirates.
– It was built on seven hills which made it easy to defend.
– The Tiber River was easy to cross
– Became a stopping place for people and merchants.
The Influence of Others
• The Latins
– Probably moved in around 1000 BC
– Built huts and tended herds around the hills and grew crops
– Banded together for protection and decided to call the
community Rome
• The Tarquins
– Leaders of the Etruscans who ruled Rome for 100 years
– Eventually the Romans rebelled against their bad leaders and the
Tarquins fell to the Romans
– As a result of overthrowing the Tarquins, the Romans then set up
their own republic where people were treated fairly
Horatius at the bridge
• The Etruscans
– Skilled metalworkers workers became rich from mining and trade
– Very important in helping shape Roman culture
– Lived a little bit north of Rome
ETRUSCANS PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN SHAPING THE ROMAN
CIVILIZATION AND INFLUENCED THEM IN SEVERAL WAYS!!
• Changed Rome from a straw hut village to a brick building
city
• Introduced togas and how to lay out a city
• ****Showed the Romans how an army works.****
CLICK HERE
The Birth of the Republic
• Republic - Roman type of government, was set up after the Tarquin
defeat
– In a Republic the citizens VOTE for their elected leaders
• Romans fought Latin cities and Etruscan cities for over 200 years
• By 267 BC had taken the Greek colonies and most of Italy
• In early republic, every male citizen was required to serve in the army
Legions
• Roman soldiers = EXCELLENT FIGHTERS AND PROBLEM SOLVERS!
– Carried a short sword called a gladius
– Carried a spear called a pilum
(pilum)
(gladius)
– Each legion had about 6000 men in groups of 60 to 120
– Each group had a standard led by a standard bearer
Shrewd Planners
• Romans built permanent settlements in all the places they conquered
• Built roads everywhere they went allowing their army to get places
quickly. (This also helped connect their empire and with trade)
• Started the Roman Confederation
– They allowed those they conquered to become full citizens and they made
other allies (friends)
– Required those conquered to pay taxes, but they were allowed to run their own
local affairs
– Required the people they conquered to provide soldiers to the Roman army
– Treated the people they conquered very carefully, knowing people well treated
are more loyal.
– Rome grew stronger as a result