Download Rome - The Rise of the Roman Empire

The Expansion and
Fall of Rome
Unit 1 * Chapter 2 * Lesson 1
How did Rome begin?
How did Rome Begin?
• Rome began as a settlement near the center of what is
now Italy
• The Italian peninsula was home to three groups –the
Latins, the Greeks, and the Etruscans
• Rome grew thanks to a good environment for farming
with cool, rainy winters that allowed for good crops
What is the
geography of rome?
Geography of Rome
• Favorable environment
• Cool, rainy winters created very productive
farmland
• Rome’s location near the Apennines Mountain
range help protect it from harsh weather
• The nearby Tiber River enabled the Romans to
engage in a busy and prosperous trade network
throughout Italy
What happened as
Rome grew?
What happened as
Rome grew?
• Rome became a kingdom in the 8th century BC
• A series of kings ruled over the growing Roman
civilization
• Last king to rule was Tarquin the Proud
• Tarquin was a bad king and not liked by the people of
Rome
We hate
King Tarquin!
What brought an
end to the Kingdom
of Rome?
What brought an end
to the Kingdom of Rome?
• In 510 BC Romans rose up and drove King
Tarquin from power for ruling too harshly and
being a bad king!
• Romans refused to live under the rule of a king
again
• Decided to base government on the will of the
people
What happened to
their government?
What happened to
their government?
• Roman citizens established a form of government
known as a republic
• In a republic power rests with citizens who get to vote
on their leaders
• Romans used this form of political system for the next
500 years
How did the Roman
Republic work?
How did the Roman
Republic work?
• Power rests with the citizens
• The wealthy and members of
noble families wielded great
influence
• Roman women had few rights
• All free-born males had the right
to vote
• Tried to create laws that
protected basic liberties
How did a Republic
limit power?
How did a Republic
limit power?
• Head of the government was 2 leaders called consuls
• Consuls could only rule for 1 year
• Roman lawmaking body, called the Senate, acted as a
check to the consuls’ power
The Roman Army
Roman Army
• The Romans prided themselves on their powerful and
well organized army
• They used this army to expand their territories
• Roman forces defeated a powerful North African
civilization known as Carthage. These wars were known
as the Punic Wars.
What happened to
the Republic of Rome?
What happened to
the Republic of Rome?
• Rome grew larger in land mass as their armies
expanded Roman territory
• As the Republic grew larger and more
populated it became harder to maintain order
• Tensions arose between the different classes in
Roman society
• Eventually Rome fell into civil war
Who brought
order to Rome?
Who brought
order to Rome?
• Roman general named
Julius Caesar
• Named himself sole ruler
in 45 BC, bringing an end
to the Roman Republic
• In 44 BC political
opponents of Caesar killed
him
How Rome became an
empire
How Rome became an
empire
• Julius Caesar’s adopted son, Octavian, became the
first emperor of Rome. He took the name
Augustus, or “divine one”
• An empire is ruled by an emperor
• Augustus was known as a brilliant and careful
leader
• Rome was able to build a powerful empire because
they created a strong government and established
peace and prosperity
Map of Roman Empire
By 100 AD Rome reached
its largest size. It ruled
over 2 million square miles
and over 100 million people.
What could roman
rulers not contain?
What could roman
rulers not contain?
• Christianity, which is based on the teachings of Jesus,
who is believed by Christians to be the son of God
• Jesus was born sometime around 6 to 4 B.C. and he was
a member of a group known as the Jews.
• The Jewish people were the first to believe in ONE God.
• Christianity remains one of the most popular and
significant religions today. Over 2 billion people still
follow the teaching of Jesus.
What did jesus
teach?
What did Jesus
teach?
• Belief in one God
• Love God as well as your
neighbors
• Love your enemies as well as
your friends
• God has created a kingdom in
Heaven for those who follow
the teachings of Jesus
Why was jesus seen as
a threat?
Why was jesus seen as
a threat?
• Roman leaders considered him a threat to their authority
and power
• He preached allegiance to God before anyone else (even
the Roman emperor)
• Christians refused to worship Roman Gods
• Eventually Roman authorities arrested Jesus and put him
to death because they were afraid of his growing
influence and following among the Roman people
Lesson Review
• Early Rome grew from a small village to a
thriving republic on the Italian peninsula
• Romans eventually build a large empire that
spread their culture to many lands
• During the Roman Empire, a powerful new
religion known as Christianity emerged
Lesson review
Questions
How did rome begin?
Rome began as a settlement on a series of hills
along the Tiber River in what is now the center
of Italy
What brought an
end to the kingdom
of rome?
The Roman people overthrew their king, Tarquin
the Proud, for ruling too harshly
Why did Rome
change from a
Republic to an
empire?
As Rome became larger and more populated it
became more difficult to govern under a republic and
Rome fell into civil war and powerful rulers, 1st
Julius Caesar, then his son Augustus became strong
leaders and helped turn Rome into an Empire
How did Rome build
such a powerful
empire?
The Romans created a strong government with
Augustus as the emperor, a Senate, and a
powerful army all of which helped to established
peace and prosperity within the Empire (known
as Pax Romana)
How did
Christianity grow
so powerful?
Jesus grew a large following of Romans who wanted to
practice Christianity because its messages about love and
the kingdom of Heaven and belief in one God appealed to
many people more than the old Roman religion that
believed in several gods
What were some of
the main teachings
of Jesus?
People should love their friends and enemies and
that heaven awaited all those who lived a
Christian life