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Roman History – A Brief Review Origins of Rome --- 753 BC Rise of the Republic --- 509 BC Shift to Empire --- 44 BC to 31 BC Roman Empire --- 31 BC – AD 476 Early History 1. 2. 3. 4. The foundation myth – Romulus & Remus, the seven hills The Etruscans; tribal villages on the Italian Peninsula Influence of Greek immigrants in Sicily and the southern portion of Italy Phoenician Traders est. city in North Africa called Carthage Rise of the Republic 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Cincinnatus – 509 BC SPQR – Senatus Publius Quo Romanus City of Rome evolves: Romans take over the peninsula Role of Farmer-soldiers Republic Government – 2 Consuls, elaborate system of gov’t officials The Punic Wars 264-146 BC 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Romans control Italian Peninsula Begin fighting for control of key islands, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica against Carthage (larger & older empire centered in North Africa) Series of 3 wars. Rome defeats Carthage Sets stage for Rome to control the Mediterranean Sea Importance of maintaining a large army yearround; professionalized army & soldiers The Punic Wars -- Results 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Professionalized army Need for strategic military commanders to maintain dominance of expanding lands. Ex. Scipio needed to defeat Hannibal More tax $ and wealth needed to maintain army and soldiers Rome is slowly expanding around the Mediterranean The Punic Wars -- Results 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Soldiers need retirement funds and lands Rise of the military commanders who will look after their men = more success for commander = better legions Powerful military leaders arise: Marius, Sulla, Crassus, Pompey, Caesar Power shift from loyalty to the state to loyalty to one’s commander Powerful Generals use this to their advantage The Rise of the Dictator 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Julius Caesar: a) uses propaganda of his military successes in Gaul to influence the Roman people. b) Recognizes the importance of loyalty from the soldiers Caesar defeats other key Roman commanders (Pompey, Crassus) in civil wars, declares himself “Dictator for Life” 49 BC Assassinated in 44 BC…another civil war breaks out Mark Antony and Cleopatra vs. Octavian 31 BC Ultimate winner = Octavian, who becomes the first Emperor of Rome. Takes the title “Augustus” The Roman Empire 31BC-AD476 1. 2. 3. 4. Pax Romana = “Roman Peace”; the reign of Augustus solidifies the Empire. Augustus dies AD 14 Biblical times in the Middle East. Rise of Christianity. Birth of Christ, etc. Rome prosperous….ruled by successful emperors. Empire continues to expand under Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, etc. The Roman Empire 1. 2. 3. 4. Empire at it’s height at the time of Marcus Aurelius – AD 161-180 Beginning with Commodus: slow decline. Less capable emperors, assassination plots, etc. etc. Highlights include: reigns of Diocletian, Constantine. Empire splits in half: East centered in Constantinople, west in Rome The Downfall AD 300s-400s 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Series of weak emperors Empire too large to manage Borders always being pushed on by “barbarians”, Gauls, Huns, Vandals, Slavs, Visigoths Taxes continually increase Rome runs out of resources: coinage diluted, farming stretched, road systems, aquaducts, cities too expensive to maintain.