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Rome: From Village to Empire Topography and Geography Like Greece, Italy is a mountainous peninsula – Apennines & Alps – Fertile plains in the north below the Alps • Favorable climate, fertile land and constant fresh water source meant most early Romans were farmers. Origin - Rome • A tribe called “Latins” established Rome on the banks of the Tiber River (Palentine Hills) c.750 B.C.E – MYTH: c.753 B.C.E. – Rome founded by twins Romulus and Remus (Latins) • c. 6th century B.C.E. - 3 groups battle for control Life Under Etruscan Rule • Etruscans (Northern Italy) • Skilled metalworkers and engineers • By 600 B.C.E – An Etruscan king of Rome • 6th Century B.C.E, trade routes from all parts of Italy come together in Rome – A commercial center due to access to the Mediterranean via the Tiber River • Safe from sea invasion • In 509 BCE Etruscans are overthrown by the Romans – Tarquin the Proud = last Etruscan king Roman Republic Romans declare to never be ruled by a king • The Romans established a representative government -Res Publica – No one person could inherit the right to rule – Representatives chosen by patricians – Decision-making responsibilities entrusted to two consuls – The Senate • In times of war: Senate chose a dictator to rule for 6 months Plebeians Demand Equality • 494 B.C.E. granted the right to elect tribunes (2). – Allowed veto of laws not in the interest of plebs • Eventually tribunes increased to 10 • 450 B.C.E. - 12 Tables (first written laws) – Posted in the Roman Forum • Early 3rd century, Rome = more democratic – Plebeians allowed in Senate and hold political office. – Struggle for Political power continued in Rome for several centuries Roman Social Structure Patricians: wealthy landowners and office-holders – Patrician = “Father” (Latin) Plebeians (commoners): farmers, artisans, trader – Could vote and served in the military, but not hold political office Patricians 10% Slaves: mostly prisoners of war, non-citizens – Not granted any rights Plebeians Roman Religion Polytheistic • Absorbed gods of other civilizations including Greece – Important Roman gods/goddesses: • Jupiter (father of gods) - Zeus • Juno (watched over women) – Hera • Minerva (goddess of wisdom) – Athena • Apollo (god of the sun) • Emperor worship eventually became part of the religion of Rome. The Role of Roman Women More influence than Greek women – Many upper class women received some formal education – Could NOT vote, but allowed to testify in court – Gained property rights • The Vestals (c. 717–673 BCE) were freed of the “usual” social obligations. – devoted solely to the study and observance of state rituals Roman Expansion • Gradually, the Romans began to expand their control over the entire Italian peninsula plus: • Corsica, Sardinia & Sicily • As they expanded their control so did the network of roads – Easier military transport, commerce and unifying territories Punic Wars: 100 Years of Fighting 1) 264-146 B.C.E. – Battle to Control Sicily and the western Mediterranean – Naval Battles 2) 218-202 B.C.E. – Hannibal attempts to lay siege to Roman Mainland – Defeated at the hands of Scipio – Hannibal commits suicide rather than captured. 3) 149-146 B.C.E. – Rome laid siege to Carthage – city set ablaze and its 50,000 inhabitants were sold into slavery – Carthaginian Peace Republic to Empire • Imperial expansion brought wealth to Rome – Wealth unequally distributed which provoked class tensions - Conflict arose over political and social policies • 1st Century B.C.E. - 1st Century C.E. – Civil and military leaders gradually dismantle Republican constitution – Replaced with a centralized imperial government Imperial Issues 1st Century B.C.E. - 1st Century C.E. Expansion brought wealth to Rome: 1. Land concentrated into the hands of wealthy elites • Enormous plantations - latifundia – slave labor drove smaller farmers out of business » unequal distribution provoked class tensions • The problem of land distribution was a symptom of a bigger problem 2. Civil and military leaders replaced the Republican constitution with a centralized imperial government • The Republic constitution was designed for a small city-state • Roman politicians and generals began jockeying for power by raising personal armies (for support). Julius Caesar: Bread and Circus 50’s B.C.E. - Conquers Gaul • 49 B.C.E. successfully marches on Rome – “dictator for life” – Republic replaced by a centralized imperial Government and Military • Proposed massive building projects and redistributed land - alienated many of Rome’s elite • Extends Roman citizenship to those in imperial provinces • 44 B.C.E. assassinated – “Et tu Brute” - Latin phrase used poetically to represent the last words of Julius Caesar – Civil crisis ensued for thirteen years Octavian to Augustus • Nephew, protégé, and adopted son of Julius Caesar defeats his principal rival, Mark Anthony (Cleopatra) c.31 B.C.E. – Octavian strengthen his rule and in 27 B.C.E – Bestowed the Divine title Augustus – Centralized political and military power – Preserved traditional republican government (Roman elite) – Eliminated personal armies • Ruled virtually unopposed for 45 years – PAX ROMANA (27 B.C.E. to 180 C.E.) Rise of Christianity During Pax Romana - Christianity emerges • 63 B.C.E. Judea conquered – Jewish monotheism permitted – Jews reluctantly live under Roman • Jesus begins preaching to villagers c. 26 C.E. • Welcomed by man in Jerusalem welcomed him, many priests felt threatened - Romans feared a revolt by followers. – 337 C.E. 1st Christian Roman Emperor Constantine – 313 C.E. Edict of Milan - freedom of worship to all Roman citizens – 395 C.E. – Christianity made the official religion