Download The Rise of Rome notes

The Rise of Rome Notes
Name _____________________
Section I – Rome’s Beginnings – Concept Web
Draw lines between terms that connect and explain the connection between those terms on the lines you use to
connect them. Multiple terms may connect to one another.
Sicily
Geographical
Feature
Tiber
Republic
Apennines
Made Rome a
desirable
place to live
Latium
Founder of
Rome
Remus and
Romulus
Legions
Military
Etruscans
Etruria
Rome’s Beginnings

The mountain range that runs through the northern region of Italy is the
_______________.

The mountains in Rome are less ____________ than those in Greece.

The site chosen for Rome was about 15 miles up the ____________ River from the
Mediterranean Sea.

Why was this location advantageous? (3 reasons)
__________________________________________________________________

There are two different legends or ___________ about how Rome began.
o Twin brothers (__________ and _____________) founded the city.
o As babies, they were abandoned and raised by ___________________.

The Romans were influenced by the Greeks and the Etruscans. Greece and Etruria are
__________________________________________________________________.
o What was the most important influence from these countries?
_____________________________________________________

The Etruscans staged gladiator fights. What does this tell us about Etruscan society?
__________________________________________________________________

Rome began as a monarchy but changed to a ________________, a form of government
which the people choose their leader.
The Roman Republic
509
-
494
Roman
____________
begins.
____________
B.C.E.
Republic
____________
B.C.E.
451
Romans
B.C.E.
write
down laws.
367
One
B.C.E.
consul
287
Plebeians
B.C.E.
pass laws
must be
for
plebeian.
everyone.
Rome’s Government
Complete the Venn diagram comparing and contrasting patricians and plebeians. You should have
a least seven similarities and seven differences. Consider not only economic differences but
roles in government as well.
Patricians
Plebeians

Early Romans were divided into two classes: patricians and plebeians.

The wealthy landowners of ancient Rome were the ______________________.

Plebeians were the ______________ with the least amount of ____________.

Who would mostly likely say the following quote: “I fight Rome’s wars, but I can’t vote.”?
_________________________

Why were the plebeians unhappy when the Republic was first set up?
__________________________________________________________________
Roman Law
In the circles surrounded the picture of The Twelve Tables, write out different characteristics
of Roman Law.

The ______________________ were the foundation of Roman law, detailing all the
laws regarding walls, courts, and property.
o The Plebeians followed more laws than before when the Twelve Tables were
_________________.
o This finally made the Plebeians equal citizens.
What changed as a result of the
action shown in the image to the
left?

What was the final change that made plebeians equal citizens?
_________________________________________________________________

Why was this so important? The laws were ___________________.

Rome Expands
Complete the chart below describing The Punic Wars
War
Who was
Where did
Why was
What was the
What was the
involved?
it take
there
strategy?
outcome?
place?
conflict?
The First
Punic War
The Second
Punic War
The Third
Punic War

Who was the military leader of Carthage that attacked the Roman territory by crossing
the Alps? _______________________

The picture above is of Rome and Carthage during the second period of Rome expansion.
What do you notice about the picture above?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Why did some in Rome want to totally destroy Carthage during the 3rd Punic War?
__________________________________________________________________

Looking at the map, Rome added these lands to its territory as a result of
_____________________________________________________________.
The Fall of the Republic

How did Rome’s expansion affect the plebeians?
__________________________________________________________________

To win the votes of the poor, Roman politicians began providing cheap food and
entertainment. This policy of “bread and circuses” which helped many dishonest rulers
come to power also ensured that the poor wouldn’t _____________.

The people who killed Julius Caesar wanted to give power back to the Senate, but their
actions had an unexpected effect. What was the effect?
__________________________________________________________________

What were the causes of the end of the Roman Republic?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Julius Caesar
After learning about Julius Caesar through class discussion and readings, complete the T-chart
below identifying Caesar’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader of Rome.
Do you think Caesar was a good leader? Explain your position in a short paragraph using specific
examples from history. (at least 5 sentences long)
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Trouble in the Republic
Following are various problems face by the Roman Republic. These are listed in random order.
Group the problems together in categories, give your categories a title, and then explain why
you grouped the problems as you did. You should create at least three different categories.
1.
Rich landowners held most of the power.
2. Soldiers became paid professionals instead of
volunteers.
6. Politicians began providing cheap food
and entertainment to the poor (“bread
and circuses”)
7. Civil wars broke out.
3. Latifundia were formed.
4. Small farmers sold their land and moved to cities.
5. Slaves were used for most of the labor.
8. Rome fought in various wars for many
years.
9. Politicians fought among themselves
__________________
__________________
The Early Empire

A long era of peace began with Augustus and
lasted until A.D. 180. This period of Roman
peace was called _____________________.

Why was the road system important in ancient
Rome? _____________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________
Rome Becomes an Empire
Create a timeline to show the major events that led to Rome becoming an empire. The first and
last events are completed for you. You should add at least three more events. It is okay if you
don’t have a date to connect to the event, but your events should be in the correct
sequence/order.
44 BC
Caesar is
stabbed
to death.
27 BC
Octavian
takes the
title of
Augustus.
The Emperor Augustus – List the major achievements of The Emperor Augustus in the circles
surrounding his picture.
What do you think was Augustus’ greatest achievement and why? (Three sentences minimum.)
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Unity and Prosperity
What factors do you think were most important in creating unity and prosperity after the
death of Nero? Complete the chart below ranking the following factors in order of importance,
and then explain why you ranked them as you did.
 Vespasian restores peace and order by putting down rebellions in the Empire.
 Agriculture flourished, trade increased, and the standard of living rose.
 Roman laws were simplified making them easier to understand.
 Programs were created to help and educate the poor.
 Infrastructure such as arches, monuments, bridges, roads, harbors, and aqueducts were
built.
 The size of the Empire is limited and walls are built to protect it from invasion.
 A common currency (system of money) was developed.
Ranking Factor
Explanation for ranking.