Download Ancient Rome and Early Christianity

Ancient Rome and Early Christianity
Chapter 6
Pages 138-169
The Romans Create a Republic
Section 1
141-145
The Beginnings of Roma
• Rome is founded at a strategic location on the Italian peninsula
– Had good fertile soil
• Latins, Greeks, & Etruscans settle Roman territory & bring new religious,
technical, and cultural ideas from the Greeks & Etruscans
– Greeks settled in the south
– Etruscans in the north
– Romans adopted the Etruscans alphabet, their use of the arch, and their religious
ideas
The early Republic
• The Romans establish a republic run by patricians, with plebeians having
little real power
– Patricians – wealth landowners, who held the most power
– Plebeians – common farmers, who made up the majority of the population
– Tribunes protected the rights of the plebeians from unfair acts of patrician officials
• The Twelve Tablets state that all free citizens should be protected by the
law
– Written laws to protect the plebeians
• The republic is governed by two consuls, a senate, and a council of
assemblies; in times of crisis the republic appoints a dictator
– Consuls were elected each year, had to wait 10 years to be reelected
– Senate had 100 members from the upper classes, job was to pass laws
• The Roman army is a key factor in the rise of Rome
– All citizens who own land had to serve
– Legions was made up of 5000 foot soldiers
– Divided up into centuries of 80 men
Rome Spreads its Power
• Rome conquers nearly all of Italy & begins to build its empire
• Rome establishes a rich trading network but is challenged by Carthage, its
main rival
• In the Punic Wars, Rome defeats Carthage & dominates the
Mediterranean
– Fought three wars
• First for the control of Sicily & the western Mediterranean
• Second Hannibal defeated Romans
• Third, Scipio defeated Hannibal and captured Carthage
The Roman Empire Brings Change
Section 2
Pages 146-152
Expansion Creates Problems in the Republic
• Rome’s class inequities lead to the republic’s downfall
– Rich sought for greater power while the poor rebelled
– Rich landowners seized land from farmers while they were at war
• Two brothers Tiberius and Gaius attempt to pass reforms for the
poor while on the Tribune and were opposed and killed
The Republic Collapses
• Julius Caesar emerges as a dictator whose reforms and ambitions alarm
the ruling class
– Caesar, Crassus & Pompey ruled Rome as a triumvirate
– Pompey and Caesar conflict led to a Civil war and Pompey troops fled
– Caesar governs as a absolute ruler
• Help poor by creating jobs
• Caesar’s death signals the end of the republic, and Octavian becomes
Rome’s first emperor
– Caesar's nephew Augustus took over the government of Rome
A Vast and Powerful Empire
• For over 200 years, Rome enjoys a time of peace & prosperity known as Pax Romana
based on Agriculture & trade
– 60 to 80 million enjoyed peace & prosperity
– Farming employed 90% of all workers
– Trade brought in silk from China
• By making provincial soldiers Roman citizens, the army helps to spread the Roman
way of life
– Recruited troops from conquered people, once finished they were Roman Citizens
• Augustus establishes a civil service to administer the empire
– Paid people to manage the affairs of the government
• Rome’s prosperity & peace depend on the orderly transfer of power
Life in Imperial Rome
• Although men control family affairs, men and women are nearly equals
– Women ran the household, could own property and speak in court
• Education is reserved for upper class boys & not offered to girls or children of the
poor
• Rome adopts many Greek deities & create a strong link between religion &
Government
– Honored powerful gods & goddesses through rituals; emperor worship part of
official religion; many followed Asian religions
• To control the poor, Rome offers food & public spectacles
Changes in Rome
Rise of Christianity
Section 3
Pages 153-157
Jews Come Under Roman Rule
• Although some Jews rebel under Roman rule, others look for a
Messiah to free them
– Roman take over Jews land
– Many Jews wanted to rid their land of the Romans
– Other hoped for the coming of the Messiah – the savior which was
promised by God
– Messiah would restore the kingdom of the Jews
The Life and Teachings of Jesus
• Jesus preaches a new testament; his apostles spread his teachings
– At age 30, Jesus began to travel the countryside preaching his messages
of the love of God
– He performed many miracles
– Taught remission of sins
– Many thought of him as the long-awaited Messiah
Christianity Spreads Through the Empire
• Christianity slowly spreads throughout the empire
• The apostle Paul helps make Christianity more universal
• After the Zealot revolt, the Romans destroy Jerusalem & drive
most Jews from Judea
• Christianity becomes a powerful new religion & spreads beyond
the empire
The Decline of the Roman Empire
Section 4
Pages 158-162
A Century of Crisis
• Rome suffers an economic and military decline
– Trade suffers do to raiders
– Supply of gold & silver went down & prices increased
– Food supply decreased due, poor soil, warfare & high taxes on foods produced on
farms
• People’s loyalty & service to the empire decrease, only the armies remain
active in politics
– Roman generals fought one another for for control of the empire
Emperors Attempt Reform
• Diocletian institutes many reforms, creating an Eastern &
Western Empire, but to ensure orderly succession
• Constantine moves the capital of the Roman Empire to
Byzantium, shifting the center of power east
Invaders Overrun the Western Empire
• Internal and Economic problems & invading tribes bring down
the Western roman Empire
– German tribes moved into the empire trying to escape fierce warriors
– Attila and the Huns invaded from the west
• Although Rome’s power is gone, its cultural heritage endures
Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization
Section 5
Pages 164-167
The Legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization
• The mixing of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman culture produces
Greco-Roman culture
• Roman fine arts and literature follow Greek forms but express
roman virtues
– Greek provided model for fine art of sculpture
– Romans created realistic portraits in stone
Roman Achievements
• Latin remains the language of learning long after Rome falls
• Roman achievements in architecture, engineering, and technology still
influence modern construction
– Introduced arch, dome, and concrete; built Colosseum and other massive structure;
built bridges, aqueducts, & extensive network of roads
• Roman standards of justice become the basis for many legal systems in
the world
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Equal treatment before the law
All person considered innocent until proven guilty
Person punished for actions not thought
Unfair laws set aside
Accomplishments of Roman Culture