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Early Rome •Neolithic cultures formed as early as 5000 B.C.E. •Indo-European groups migrated into the area between 2000 B.C.E. – 1000 B.C.E. •The Greeks first came into contact with Italian peoples around 900 B.C.E. •The Etruscans ruled a kingdom in northern Italy from 900 B.C.E. to 500 B.C.E • Other Italian peoples included the Latins (ancestors of the Romans), Oscans, and Umbrians. •Two main social classes developed (plebeians and patricians). • Eventually, the Latins took control from the Etruscans, and Rome became a republic in 509 B.C. Etruscan Art from a Burial Tomb Rome (continued…) •Beginning with the Republic and ending with the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Roman civilization lasted about 1000 years. – The first 500 years – the Republic – The second 500 years – the Empire •The first part of the Republic was characterized by a struggle of plebeians against Patricians. The plebeians wanted a voice in government. •In 450 B.C.E. the plebeians gained some rights when the Twelve Tables, a written law code, was created. http://www.historyteacher.net/GlobalHistory1/Readings/RomanLaw&TwelveTables.htm http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/12tables.html “The Making of an Empire” National Geographic article on the Roman Empire. Focus on the following when taking notes to prepare for the article quiz: •How did the Roman empire develop, and what characterized the Roman government, economy, and society? •In what ways did Roman civilization influence the development of western civilization? •The article makes comparisons between the Roman Empire and the modern day United States. Make a list of these similarities. The Roman Republic 509 B.C.E. – 27 B.C.E. • The Senate was the main governing body of Rome – 300 members; patricians (aristocracy) who served for life. • The Senate elected two consuls who served one term. • A dictator could be appointed for a 6 month term in times of war or trouble. • The main conflict/issue during the Republic was the struggle between classes – basically, the plebeians wanted more political representation. • Eventually the plebeians, who were the majority of the population, won the right to become senators, consuls, etc. Problems during the Republic 1. Expansion of borders created great wealth, but the gap between rich and poor widened. 2. The number of slaves grew due to conquests. There were frequent slave revolts, and harsh laws to subdue slaves. 3. Large farming estates (latifundia) forced small farmers out of business which increased unemployment in the cities. 4. Attempts to reform created a backlash from the wealthy class and the senate (example - the assassination of the Gracchus brothers.) 5. These conflicts led to civil wars, and eventually Julius Caesar’s rise to power. There were three Punic Wars during the Roman Republic. Rome won all three. The second is the most famous, due to the attack of the Carthaginian general Hannibal. Carthaginian coin with Hannibal’s profile. Julius Caesar took the title of dictator during the civil wars that ended the Roman Republic. He was assassinated by a group of senators in 44 B.C.E. Caesar’s reforms: 1. created public service jobs 2. gave public land to the poor 3. granted citizenship to more people 4. created stronger provincial governments 5. created the Julian calendar A famous painting depicting the death of Julius Caesar Assassination of Caesar by Georges Roche-Grosse (1852-1938) Cleopatra allied with Marc Antony against Octavian, and was defeated. Octavian became Augustus, first emperor of Rome. Julius Caesar Marc Antony Cleopatra VII The Circus Maximus Established as a simple dirt racetrack in the sixth century B.C., the Circus Maximus eventually grew into a huge arena for hosting events, most notably chariot races. At its peak, the circus could hold up to 250,000 Romans, who could watch as charioteers raced down the track's 1,650-foot (503-meter) straightaways. Parts of the Circus Maximus' structure still border the grass-covered tracks, but the modern park now hosts more musical stars than famed charioteers. During concerts, thousands of fans gather at the circus to watch performances. The Forum Romanum was a marketplace and city center filled with temples and military monuments. tp://vimeo.com/32038695 Tour Rome in 320 CE! Click Here! The Roman Empire 27 B.C.E. – 476 C.E. •After Caesar’s death, there was a struggle for power, which was won by Caesar’s adopted nephew Octavian. •The Roman Empire began with the reign of Octavian (Augustus.) •The Pax Romana also began with the reign of Augustus, and lasted for about 200 years. •One of the biggest political problems during the empire was the succession of power. •Strong emperors (other than Augustus) during the Pax Romana included: *Hadrian – codified laws; defined the border in England with “Hadrian’s Wall.” *Trajan – conquests during his reign brought the empire to its largest size. *Marcus – Stoic emperor who Aurelius brought the empire to its height of economic prosperity. •Trade during the Pax Romana flourished – government organization and the presence of the army kept roads and seas safe for trade. •During the empire, Greco-Roman culture spread throughout Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Roman ideas spread in the areas of: *law *language *customs *roads *architecture *Christianity (during the later part of the empire) Roman Aqueducts can be found throughout Europe Watch this episode of Crash Course, and answer the following questions in your notebooks: 1. Describe the political system and structure of the Roman Republic. 2. How did Caesar rise to power, and how did he change Rome? 3. Based on the evidence, do you think Caesar destroyed the Roman Republic? Explain your opinion and use specific evidence (examples) to support your opinion and illustrate your points. Ruins of the Ancient Roman Forum Tour Rome in 320 CE! Click Here! Model of the ancient Forum Tour Rome in 320 CE! Click Here! Trajan’s Column The Colosseum Today Tour Rome in 320 CE! Click Here! Pictures from Pompeii The Rise and Spread of Christianity •By 63 B.C.E. Rome controlled the kingdom of Judea. •In 66 C.E., Jewish zealots rebelled against the empire. The rebellion was crushed, and many Jews were killed or enslaved. •During this turmoil in Palestine, Christianity began. •Jesus’ teachings quickly spread with the help of his apostles. •People began to believe Jesus was the messiah, or messenger sent from God to save the Jews. •Central to Jesus’ teachings were the ideas of mercy, kindness, forgiveness, and charity. •Roman authorities viewed Jesus as a dangerous rebel, and he was sentenced to crucifixion. •His followers believed he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. •Because Christians refused to honor Roman gods, they were persecuted by Roman authorities. Plus, they became scapegoats for the increasing problems in the empire. • Many Christians chose to die for their beliefs, and became martyrs. • Christianity continued to spread for the following reasons: *message of equality in the eyes of God and in the afterlife appealed to the poor and oppressed *work of missionaries such as St. Paul *people observed the dedication of martyrs *people needed something to believe in during a time of social decay and declining morals • In 313 C.E., persecution ended with the Edict of Milan. • Less than a century later, Christianity became the official religion of Rome. • As the Christian church developed, a hierarchy formed. This ancient graffiti, from the Palatine Hill, Rome, first half of 3rd century C.E. is depicting the crucifixion. The crude graffito shows a crucifix with a donkey's head, seen from behind and dressed in a short tunic. To the left stands a man with the same clothes and his arm raised. Between the two figures is Greek “graffito” which says "Alexamenos sebete theon" (Alexamenos worships his god). Apparently, the author of the drawing is making fun of a Christian, Alexamenos, who is praying to a god with a donkey's head. The Y visible on the plaster, to the right, at the top, has been interpreted as a symbol of a gallows, or a transcription of a scream of pain. This is one of the oldest representations of the crucifixion of Christ. It now is in the Palatine Antiquarium Museum in Rome. Eucharistic fish and bread A Christian mosaic from the Catacomb of St.Callixtus, Rome. Christian Roman epitaph of Atimetus from the catacombs of St. Sebastian on the Via Appia, Rome. Inscription flanked by Christian symbols, an anchor and a fish. Reasons for the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire •Political violence and instability •Political Corruption •High taxes to support the military and bureaucracy burdened the middle class •Decrease in loyalty among citizens, politicians, and especially soldiers •Over-cultivation of farmland •Increased use of slave labor •Lavish spending of the upper class •“bread and circuses” •The beginnings of serfdom – which became a major institution during the medieval period •Germanic invasions (Huns, Visigoths, Vandals, etc.) -these invasions first caused the shrinking of the empire’s borders; England, Gaul, and Spain were surrendered to Germanic groups -Eventually invading tribes would even enter the city of Rome Two Reformers slowed the decline: 1. Diocletian – divided the empire into two administrative units in A.D. 284 (an eastern half and western half); also tried to slow inflation by fixing prices for goods. 2. Constantine – issued the Edict of Milan; moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium, and renamed it Constantinople. **The eastern half of the empire became stronger and wealthier than the western half. After the fall of Rome, the eastern half survived for another 1000 years as the Byzantine Empire. Constantine