Download Chapter 6: The Romans

Chapter 6: The Romans
“From city-state to Empire”
Romulus and Remus Myth
It was said that Rome had been founded in 753 BC
by Romulus, a son of Mars, god of war. When he
was a baby, he and his twin brother Remus were sent
down the Tiber river in a cradle by their jealous
uncle. They washed a shore and were nursed by a
she – wolf. A shepherd found them and raised them
as his own. They founded a city and gave it laws
and religion. The brothers quarreled and Remus was
killed in a fit of rage. He encouraged people to settle
on the nearby fertile plains and expanded the city to
include seven nearby hills. This is why the city was
named “Rome” and called the “city on seven hills.”
I. Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity
A. The Roman World Takes Shape
1. Roman Beginnings (explain myth)
a. Latins settled along Tiber R. as farmers
b. Latins (Romans) shared the peninsula
with Greeks and Etruscans originally
from Asia Minor.
.
c. Etruscans ruled N. Italy including
Rome.
2. Early Republic Government (see chart)
a. Etruscan King was overthrown 509 BC.
b. Representative Democracy formed
c. Patricians dominated public offices.
Roman Republic’s
Government
Two Consuls
Senators – Patrician class who voted on
consuls, laws/policies and appointed other
government positions.
Tribunes – Plebeian class representative
who spoke for common interest and who
later voted on consuls laws and policies.
Twelve Tables of Roman Law
12 Tables 451 BC
Right to
an
attorney
Right to
fair trial
Innocent
until
proven
guilty
All people
are equal
under the
law
3. Expansion in Italy and Abroad
a. Roman Legions were “Masters of War”
b. Outposts were created to maintain control
c. Conquered people treated generously
d. Punic Wars victory gave Romans half of
the land around the Mediterranean Sea.
B. From Republic to Empire
1. Effects of Expansion
a. Latifundia created economic problems
b. Gracchus brothers attempt reform
c. A century of civil war an unrest.
2. Rise of Julius Caesar
a. Provincial governor of Gaul (France)
b. Caesar takes power and makes reforms
c. “Ides of March” and chaos that ensues.
3. First Emperor and Imperial Rome
a. Augustus takes power and makes reforms
Marcus
b. Some good and some bad emperors:
Caligula, Nero, Hadrian and
Aurelius.
c. “Mare Nostrum” Means our sea.
C. Empire at its peak and the “Pax Romana”
1. “Bread and Circuses”
a. Gladiatorial bouts in the Coliseum
b. Chariot racing in the Circus
Maximus.
2. Stability, Trade, and Prosperity in the World
3. Roman Achievement
a. Law – 12 tables
b. Architecture and Engineering
c. Art and sculpture (Ex. Mosaics)
d. Roman roads (Ex. Appian Way)
D. Rise of Christianity
1. Basic Beliefs
a. 10 commandments and holy days
b. Salvation for believers and aid to the
disadvantaged.
2. Persecution and Spread of Christianity
a. Jesus troubled high Jewish leaders and
Roman Authority.
b. Apostles acted as missionaries
c. Persecution eventually ends
d. 313AD Edict of Milan + official religion
E. Decline of Roman Power (476 A.D. West Collapses)
1. Many Germanic Tribes invade for centuries
a. Huns, Goths, Vandals, Franks, etc.
2. Bad Rulers
a. 26 emperors in 50 year period.
3. Bad Economic Conditions Continued
4. Social Problems
a. Bad attitudes dev. from Gov’t corruption.
b. Christianity taught non-violence
5. Attempts at reform (Diocletian and Constantine)
II.
Byzantine Empire (formerly Eastern Roman)
A. Continues to preserve Greco-Roman Culture
B. Great schism leads to Roman Catholic and Eastern
Orthodox Branches of Christianity.
C. Reigns for about 1,000 years after the Roman
Collapse.