Download Unit 4: Ancient Rome and Christianity

Unit 3
Ancient Rome
Part I: The
Romans Create a
Republic
History
• Legend of Romulus and Remus
(753 B.C.)
• Influenced by Greeks and
Etruscans
–Greek gods, agriculture
–Etruscan writing, architecture
• Last Roman king kicked out 509 BC
• Romans establish a
REPUBLIC – A FORM OF
GOVERNMENT IN WHICH
POWER RESTS WITH CITIZENS
WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE
TO SELECT THEIR LEADERS
Government
• People in Rome are either:
PLEBEIANS – COMMON
FARMERS, ARTISANS, AND
MERCHANTS or
PATRICIANS – WEALTHY
LANDOWNERS
• Only free male citizens vote
• Most people/voters are plebeians
• Plebeians are not allowed to hold
high government positions
• Plebeians were not treated fairly
• Tribunes were elected to protect
the rights of plebeians
• In 451 BC, Tribunes create the
12 TABLES
–A written code of laws that
established the idea that all free
citizens have a right to
protection under laws
Government Branches
• Rome’s government was a mix
of monarchy, aristocracy, and
democracy
• Two Consuls (executive) led the
army and government
• SENATE (legislative) – 300
PEOPLE WHO WERE THE
GOVERNING BODY
• Praetors (judicial) were judges
• In times of crisis, the Republic
could appoint a DICTATOR – A
LEADER WHO HAD ABSOLUTE
POWER TO MAKE LAWS AND
COMMAND THE ARMY
• They had to be chosen by
consuls and senate
• They could only rule for 6 months
• Look at chart on page 143
Military
• All male landowners had to serve
• Roman soldiers were grouped
into LEGIONS – LARGE
MILITARY UNITS
• Military was very important to
Rome’s rise
Rome Expands
• War with Carthage over access to
the Mediterranean
• Rome and Carthage fought the
Punic Wars from 264 to 146 B.C.
• 1st war goes to Rome
• 2nd war sees HANNIBAL – A
CARTHAGINIAN GENERAL vs.
SCIPIO – A ROMAN GENERAL
• Hannibal fought hard for about 15
years, but was finally defeated
• 3rd War saw Carthage completely
destroyed
Unit 3
Ancient Rome
Part II: Changes in the
Roman Empire
Problems Arise
• Gap between the rich and poor
grows
–Homeless
–Unemployed
–Poor (1/4)
–Slaves (1/3 of pop.)
• Rome falls into a CIVIL WAR CONFLICT BETWEEN GROUPS
WITHIN THE SAME COUNTRY
st
1
Punic War
• War started in 264 B.C.
• 3 Wars fought between 264 and 146 B.C.
• 1st war was for control of Sicily, and lasted
23 years (264-241 B.C.)
• Rome defeated Carthage in 1st Punic War
• 2nd Punic War begins in 218 B.C.
• 29-year-old Carthaginian general named
Hannibal led the army against Rome
nd
2
Punic War
• Hannibal had an army of 50,000 infantry,
9,000 cavalry, and 60 elephants
• To surprise the Romans, he led his army
around Italy and came down through the
Alps
• For a decade he terrorized Italy
• Won important battle of Cannae in 216
B.C.
• Never captured Rome
Julius Caesar
• ROMAN GENERAL WHO BECAME
DICTATOR IN 46 BC
• Becomes consul in 59 BC
• Spends next 10 years building up
troops/support across Empire
• Returns to Rome in 46 BC
• Appointed dictator
• Caesar was an ABSOLUTE RULER –
ONE WHO HAS TOTAL POWER
• Made many important changes for
poor
• People love him; senators hate him
• “Ides of March”
–March 15, 44 BC
–Stabbed to death in senate chamber
by senators
rd
3
Punic War
• 149-146 B.C.
• Carthage no longer a real threat to Rome
• Senator Cato ended all his speeches with
“Carthage must be destroyed”
• 149 B.C. Rome laid siege to Carthage
• 146 B.C. Carthage was set afire and the
remaining 50,000 citizens sold into slavery
The Republic falls, The
Empire Begins
• Mark Antony and AUGUSTUS –
CAESAR’S NEPHEW WHO
BECAME A GREAT EMPEROR
quickly take control
• Antony and Augustus become
rivals
• Antony defeated at the Battle of
Actium in 31 BC
• Augustus becomes emperor
• His rule starts the PAX ROMANA –
PERIOD OF ROMAN PEACE AND
PROSPERITY FROM 27 BC TO 180
AD
The Roman Empire
•
•
•
•
•
3 million square miles
70 million people
1 million in Rome itself
90% of people farm
Massive trade network using
roads
“Bread and Circuses”
• Huge gaps between rich and poor
continue to grow
• Government provides free
entertainment to distract the poor
from their problems
• GLADIATORS –
PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS –
fought to the death to entertain
the masses.
Unit 3:
Ancient Rome
Factors in the
Decline of Rome
Political
•
•
•
•
Political office seen as burden, not reward
Military interference in politics
Civil war and unrest
Division of empire by DIOCLETIAN – THE
ROMAN EMPEROR WHO SPLIT ROME
EAST AND WEST IN LATE 200s
• Moving of capital to Byzantium (renamed
CONSTANTINOPLE – THE NEW
CAPITAL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE –
330 AD)
Social
• Decline in interest in public affairs
• Low confidence in empire
• Disloyalty, lack of patriotism,
corruption
• Contrast between rich and poor
Economic
•
•
•
•
•
Poor harvests
Disruption of trade
No more war plunder
Gold and silver drain
INFLATION - A RISE IN THE
PRICE OF GOODS, COUPLED
WITH A DECLINE IN THE
VALUE OF MONEY
Economic Cont.
• High taxes
• Widening gap between rich and
poor, especially in the West.
Military
• Threat from northern European
tribes
• Low funds for defense
• Problems recruiting Roman
soldiers; recruiting of
MERCENARIES – FOREIGN
SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT FOR
MONEY
Military Cont.
• Decline of patriotism and loyalty
among soldiers
Immediate Cause
• Invasion of and destruction of
Rome by ‘barbarians’