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Lesson Objectives
66. Describe the physical and cultural settings in which
Roman civilization arose.
67. Outline how the Roman Republic was structured
and governed.
68. Understand the rights and religious practices that
characterized Roman society.
69. Explain how the Roman Republic grew and
maintained its conquests.
The Mediterranean
Rome
Geography of Italy
 Unlike Greece Italy is not
broken up into small
isolated mountain
valleys.
 The mountains in Italy are
less rugged than the
mountains in Greece.
 In the north and south
there are fertile plains.
These plains supported
the growing population.
Early Peoples: The Latins
and the Etruscans
 By 800 B.C. the ancestors of the
Romans, the Latins, migrated
into Italy.
 They settled along the Tiber
River in small settlements,
which would eventually become
Rome.
 Northern Italy was inhabited by
another group known as the
Etruscans.
 The Romans learned much from
the the Etruscan civilization.
The Romans establish a
Republic
 In 509 B.C. the Romans
kicked out their Etruscan
ruler and established the first
Roman republic.
 Republic- “that which
belongs to the people”, a
system of government in
which the people choose
some officials.
 Romans thought that a
republic would prevent any
individual from gaining too
much power.
Patricians vs. Plebeians
Patricians
 Patricians- members of the
upper class who owned
land.
 Held all of the powerful
positions in the Republic.
 Many served as officials in
the senate for life.
Plebeians
 Plebeians- the farmers,
merchants, and artisans,
who made up the majority
of the population.
 At first had little power in
making decisions.
 In time they gained more
rights such as the veto,
tribunes, and the Twelve
Tables.
The Role of Women
 Roman women played a
larger role in society than
Greek women.
 They could own property
and run businesses.
 Patrician women were able
dine out for dinner, attend
the public baths, or attend
public entertainment.
Romans Educate all Children
 Both boys and girls from
all classes learned to read
and write.
 Many wealthy Romans
hired Greek tutors to
teach their children.
 Children memorized
major events in Roman
history and studied
rhetoric.
Roman Religion
 The Romans were polytheistic.
They adapted Greek religion and
borrowed many of the Greek
gods and goddesses. (Changing
the names)
 For example Zeus became Jupiter
and Poseidon became Neptune.
 The Roman calendar was full of
celebrations to honor the gods.
 Temples were built throughout
Rome to worship the gods.
The Roman Republic
Grows
 Over time the Romans
expanded their land to
include all of Italy.
 By about 270 B.C. Rome
controlled most of the
Italian peninsula.
Citizen-Soldiers make up
the Army
 The basic military unit was the
legion, made up of about 5,000
men.
 Roman citizens made good soldiers
because they were brought up to
value loyalty, courage, and respect
authority.
 Rewards- soldiers who showed
courage in battle were given gifts
and praise.
 Punishments- If a unit fled in battle 1
out of every 10 men in the unit
would have been put to death.
Rome is Just with
Conquered Lands
 Rome generally treated its conquered enemies
justly.
 Conquered people had to:
 Acknowledge Roman leadership
 Pay taxes
 Supply soldiers for the Roman army
 They were allowed to keep their own customs,
money, and local government.
 Some people were granted full Roman citizenship.
The Punic Wars