Download Chapter 5: Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity (509 BC–AD

Chapter 5: Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity
(509 B.C.–A.D. 476)
Geography and Rome
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Rome is located in the center of the Italian peninsula. The location helped the Romans expand in Italy and
beyond.
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Mountains run down the center of Italy but are not too rugged.
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Fertile plains supported a growing population.
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Ancestors of the Romans settled along the Tiber River.
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Early villages eventually grew into Rome.
The Roman Republic
In 509 B.C., the Romans set up a new government, which they called a republic.
Republic- government in which the officials are chosen by the people.
Patricians- landholding upper class, made up only 10% of the population.
Plebeians- Lower- middle class of farmers, merchants and traders.
The Early Republic
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Romans wanted to prevent one person from gaining too much power.
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All government officials were patricians. Plebeians had little power.
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Plebeians demanded written laws & won the right to:
1. choose their own officials
2. veto laws that harm them
3. hold any office in the government
Government of Ancient Rome
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2,000 years later, writers of the United States Constitution used Roman ideas about government.
Roman Society
Family
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Male was head of the household and had absolute authority
Women gained greater freedom and influence over the centuries
Some women ran businesses. Most worked at home, raising families
Education
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Both girls and boys learned to read and write
Education was highly valued
Religion
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Gods and goddesses resembled those of Greeks
Religious festivals inspired a sense of community
Romans built many temples for worship
Expansion in Italy
By 270 B.C., Rome controlled most of the Italian peninsula by:
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Skilled diplomacy
Loyal, well-trained army
Treated defeated enemies fairly
Gave rights to conquered people
Winning an Empire
After gaining control of the Italian peninsula, Rome began to build an empire around the Mediterranean Sea.
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Romans followed a policy of imperialism, establishing control over foreign lands and peoples.
Carthage, Macedonia, Greece, and parts of Asia Minor became Roman provinces.
By 133 B.C., Roman power extended from Spain to Egypt.
Decline of the Republic
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Conquered people worked as slaves which led to huge quantities of grain
Small farmers no longer needed to produce food- went to Rome and other cities looking for jobs
New wealth increased corruption among government officials
From Republic to Empire
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Civil wars broke out
Julius Caesar forced the Roman senate to make him dictator
Caesar instituted reforms to try to solve Rome’s many problems- elected as dictator for 9 more years
Caesar is killed by enemies who feared that he planned to make himself king of Rome
More civil wars broke out
Many power struggles over who should lead Rome
The Roman senate gave Octavian the title of emperor
The 500-year republic came to an end
Empire and Peace
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Augustus (Octavian) established a stable government that would function well for 200 years.
This period was called the Pax Romana- meaning Roman Peace.
Reforms of Augustus
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Civil service to enforce the laws
High-level jobs to men of talent, regardless of race
Cities and provinces govern themselves
Ordered a census, or population count, in order to make the tax system more fair
Set up a postal service and issued new coins
Employed the jobless
Bread & Circuses
Used to mask the problems of the society
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Free bread was passed out to the poor
Rich and poor loved spectacular entertainment
Chariot races, gladiator fights were all popular
The Coliseum was Rome’s largest stadium- held 50,000 spectators
Roman Achievements
History
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Historians wrote about the rise and fall of Roman power
Poetry
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Writers imitated Greek styles in poetry
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Poets satirized, or made fun of, Roman society
Philosophy
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Roman philosophers borrowed heavily from the Greeks
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Emphasized acceptance of fate and concern for the well-being of others
Technology
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Built roads, bridges, and harbors throughout empire
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Built many aqueducts
Science
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Romans left scientific research to the Greeks
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Ptolemy proposed that Earth was the center of the universe
Art
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Sculptors stressed realism
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Artists depicted life scenes in frescoes and mosaics
Architecture
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Emphasized grandeur
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Improved column and arch
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Developed rounded dome
Roman Law
During the Roman empire, The Twelve Tables of Rome were the principles of law that fostered unity and stability.
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These principles are the basis for legal systems in Europe and America.
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An accused person was:
– presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.
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was permitted to face the accuser and offer a defense.
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Guilt had to be established through evidence.
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Judges were expected to interpret the laws and make fair decisions.
The Rise of Christianity
Religious Diversity in the Early Empire
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People honored Roman gods and the emperor and were allowed to worship other gods as they pleased.
Romans excused the monotheistic Jews from worshiping the Roman gods.
The Teachings of Jesus
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Some Jews believed that a messiah would appear to lead the Jewish people to freedom.
Some of Jesus’ teachings were rooted in Judaism:
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Belief in one God
Ten Commandments
Belief in heaven and hell
Old Testament
Jesus also preached new beliefs:
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Called himself the Son of God
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Proclaimed that he brought salvation and eternal life to anyone who would believe in him
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Rome mistrusted Christians because they refused to make sacrifices to the emperor or honor the Roman gods.
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Roman officials persecuted the Christians. Many Christians became martyrs, people who suffer or die for their
beliefs.
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Crucifixion was the common Roman method of execution.
Spread of Christianity
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Disciples began to preach in Jewish communities throughout the Roman world.
Jews who accepted the beliefs of Jesus became the first Christians.
Paul spread Christianity beyond the Jewish communities, to non-Jews.
The Long Decline
Two Reformers:
Diocletian
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Divided the empire into two parts to make it easier to govern
Fixed prices to slow inflation, or the rapid rise of prices
Established laws to ensure steady production of food and goods
Constantine
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Granted toleration to Christians, this led to the rapid growth of Christianity
Became the first Christian emperor
Built a new capital at Constantinople, making the eastern part of the empire the center of power
The Decline and Fall of Rome
Political Causes
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Corrupt and oppressive officials
Divided empire
Economic Causes
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Heavy taxes
Population decline
Military Causes
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Invasions
Weakened Roman Legions
Social Causes
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Erosion of traditional values
Self-serving upper class