Download Roman Empire

Roman Empire
Section 1
Origin of Rome
 Rome was founded by Latin
people from a place called
Latium
 Rome is in the Middle of the
modern country, Italy.
 also known as the
midpoint of the
Mediterranean Sea
 Rome is based on the Tiber
River west of the Apennine
Mountains
Early Republic
 Around 500 B.C.,
Romans overthrew the
Etruscan King who
ruled over Rome
 Etruscans are people
who derive from an
area in Italy known as
Etruria
Continued……….
 Republic- government where people have the right to
select their own leaders
 Two groups struggled for power in the New Republic:
1. Patricians- aristocratic landowners who held most of
the power
2. Plebeians- artisans (common farmers) and
merchants who made up most of the population
Assignment
Why did the Etruscans pick the Tiber River
to use as a settlement for what is known as
Rome?
Why was the Mediterranean Sea significant
to Rome?
Continued……..
 Patricians started with
all of the power but
over time the
Plebeians gained the
right to form their own
assembly
 Plebeian elected
representatives were
known as Tribunes
Assignment
Why were the Patricians upset that the
Romans changed to a Republic?
List some advantages to having a Republic
as their form of government.
Vocabulary
 Republic – form of government where power is in
the hands of the citizens
 Patricians – wealthy aristocratic landowners who
had most of the power
 Plebeians – common people who made up
majority of the population
 Consuls – two people that commanded the army
and directed the government
 Senate – 300 members from the upperclass, had a
great influence over foreign policies
 Dictator – leader who had absolute power
 Legions – large military units
 Hannibal – great military leader looking to avenge
Carthage’s defeat
Assignment – Draw the Map in
your notes
Roman Government
 The basis of Roman
law was the Twelve
Tables
 all free citizens were
protected by law.
 Dictator- his power
was absolute but
limited to only six
month terms
 A dictator was
usually elected only
in a state of a military
crisis
Assignment
How does someone become a Roman
citizen?
Do you think it is a good idea to appoint a
dictator during times of a crisis? Why or
why not?
3 parts of the Roman Government
1. Consuls- officials that are elected each year
2. Senate- consists of 300 members chosen from
the upper-class and they could pass laws
3. Assemblies- members from different parts of
society that could also make laws
Citizenship/Military
 Any citizen who owned
property had to serve
in the Roman military
 The Roman Military
was split into groups
known as LEGIONS.
 Each Legion
consisted of 5,000
armed foot soldiers.
War and Conquest
 For the first 200 years Rome was in continuous
warfare
 They conquered Latium first and then got rid of
the Greeks in the southern part of Italy.
 As people were conquered by the Romans, they
either became allies or even gained Roman
citizenship.
 Either way, these people had to provide soldiers to
the Roman military
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cover
Government
Military
Economy
Treatment of
people
6. Way of life
7. Map of Empire
8. Slogan for the
Empire
Pamphlet
Assignment
Democracy
Republic
Compare and contrast:
Democracy in the United States
Republic of the Roman Empire
Spread of the Roman Empire
 Within 150 years
Rome conquered
almost all of Italy.
 The growth of the
empire sparked the
need for heavy trade
 This made Carthage,
a powerful trade
country, upset with
the Romans
Continued………..
 From 264 B.C. to 146
B.C., Rome and Carthage
fought in three wars
known as the Punic Wars
 1st Punic War – Rome
gained control of Sicily
 2nd Punic War –
Hannibal invaded
Northern Italy and failed
to take Rome
 3rd Punic War – Rome
finished off Carthage
and made Carthage a
Roman province.