Download Roman world takes shape

ROMAN WORLD TAKES SHAPE
• Much easier to unify than Greece due to easier terrain
• Ancestors, Latins, migrated to Italy settled along the Tiber River
• Legend says twin brothers, Romulus and Remus founded Rome
• Said to be sons of Latin woman and Roman god Mars
ROMANS ESTABLISH A REPUBLIC
• 509 BCE marks founding of Roman state
• Established their state with a form of government called res publica
• Today this is called a republic
ROMAN REPUBLIC
• All original 300 members were patricians
• Patricians: members of land-holding upper class
• 2 Consuls nominated to supervise business of gov’t and command armies
• In the event of war senate might choose a dictator
PLEBEIANS FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS
• Farmers, merchants, and artisans: made up most of population
• Eventually Plebeians gained right to elect own officials (tribunes) who could
veto laws
• Eventually Plebeians could be chosen as consuls
• Got laws of Rome written down on 12 tables, set up in Forum
USING YOUR TEXT
• On page 152 read through “The Roman Cursus Honorum” and answer the
questions at the bottom.
ROLE OF WOMEN
• Played a larger role in society than Greek women
• Could own property, run businesses
• Patrician women went to public baths, dined out, etc. with their husbands
• Livia and Agrippina the Younger had public roles and significant political
influence
EDUCATION
• Girls and boys from upper and lower classes learned to read and write
• Romans hired private tutors
• Children memorized major events
• Boys who wanted political careers studied rhetoric
MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGION
• Polytheistic: many adopted from Greek religion
• Calendar was full of feasts and celebrations to honor gods and goddesses
• Dozens of temples housed statues of gods (Pantheon)
• Using your Greek god from your skit, find out who the Roman counter part is
and any similarities or differences in the story your skit was on