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ANCIENT ROME
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Introduction
Latins
1500 BCE crossed Alps,
invaded Italy
founded Rome on Tiber
River
according to legend
Rome was founded by
Romulus and Remus
Etruscans
Took Italy around 750
BCE
New technologies
(construction, weapons,
tactics), but were driven
out around 500 BCE
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Social Classes
Classes
Patricians: Upper class, could hold
public office
Plebeians: lower class (could not
hold office, but over time, Rome
became more democratic and
Plebeians gained rights)
Plebeians demanded a law code
for fair treatment and eventually
law was written into the Twelve
Tables which were displayed at
the Forum
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Early Rome
Government: Republic,
Aristocracy (power in
the hands of the wealthy
nobles)
2 Consuls (terms of 1
year), each could veto (“I
forbid”) the other
In an emergency a dictator
could be elected for 6
months
300 Senators (life terms)
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Religion
The early Romans
worshipped nature
spirits
Borrowed Greek gods
and goddesses
Believed in foretelling
the future
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Rome Expands
Powerful, well-trained
army; troops fighting for
their own freedom, not a
despot
quick troop movement
Treated those they
conquered well; could
either become partial or
full Roman citizens
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Army
Legionary
Legate
Centurion
Well trained
Deserters put to death
Every male citizen
had to serve when
needed
Had Legions of 6000
men in units of 60-120
men
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Punic Wars
chief rival = Carthage
(originally Phoenician which
the Romans called Punic)
1st Punic War, Rome takes Sicily
(264-241 BCE)
2nd Punic War, Hannibal Spain,
over Alps into Italy, Rome wins
(218-201 BCE)
3rd Punic War, Rome sacks
Carthage, Cato “Carthago Delende
Est!” (149-146 BCE)
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Conquests
Conquers Greece, Egypt, Asia Minor (eventually entire
Mediterranean)
Results
Greek Culture (Hellenism) spread and copied by Rome
Wealth to Nobles, Merchants, and Governmentt officials
Ruin small farmers and workers: could not compete with slaves
Type of soldier changes: Mercenaries hired because small
farmers could no longer be soldiers
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