Download The Geography of Ancient Rome

Alps
Mountains
Map of Italy
Apennines
Mountains
Tiber
River
Mediterranean Sea
Ionian Sea
The Geography of Ancient Rome
• Based along the Tiber R.
• Very small area with
seven major rolling hills
surrounding a flatter area
• Swampy land below the
Palatine hill will be
cleared to make the
Forum (meeting place)
• This will become the
center of the Republic
The Location of Rome
• Rome was located in Italy
– Located on the Tiber River
• Found nearly in the middle of Italy
– Great access to the seas
– Very fertile land
– Great river access for trade
• Protected by Alps Mountains to
north and surrounded by water
• Seas provided ways to travel,
trade and some protection
The Formation of Rome
• Roman legend says two twins were
responsible for founding Rome
– Romulus and Remus
– Sons of Mars and a Latin princess
• Twins were thrown into the river and raised
by a she-wolf
• Both wanted to be king of the new city they
started – Romulus kills Remus for power
– Names the city Rome
Early Founders/Groups of Rome
• Early founders were Romulus/ Remus but the 1st
real founders were…
– The Latins around 1000-500 BCE
• The 1st true “Romans”
• Called the area Latium
– Then the Greeks and the Etruscans come to area
– All 3 groups battled for control of Ancient Rome
• All 3 groups will bring cultural influences to the area such
as religion, goods and other ideas
Influence of the Greeks
• Greeks set up trading posts along coast
– Used as land for colonization too
• Needed farm land due to lack of land in Greece
• Romans eventually borrowed the ideas in
religion - Roman Mythology
– Explained same 3 things as Greek mythology
• Life events, natural phenomena, and superhuman traits
• Greeks also taught them how to grow grapes
and olives on the land
An Early Republic Forms
• Etruscan kings ruled the area at first
– Romans no longer wanted kings ruling
• They overthrow the king and vow to kill anyone
who tries to become king
– They formed a republic – rule by the people
• Republic- citizens who have the right to vote
have the power
– Citizenship in Rome – all free-born males
How does Roman citizenship compare to Greek
citizenship?
Romans Struggle for Power
• Two groups made up the early republic
– Patricians- rich landowners
• Held most of the power, but smaller population
– Plebeians- commoners (farmers, artisans)
• Larger population but had little power
• Patricians felt that ancestry (powerful families)
gave them power to make laws and hold office
• Plebeians allowed to create an assembly
– Created tribunes- protected them from unfair acts
– Later gained them additional power
Plebeians Gain Some Power
• A major victory for the plebeians was…
– The 12 Tables – first Roman code of law
• Written laws applied to all citizens of Rome
• Before this laws were unwritten and the patricians
took advantage so laws favored them
– Created in 451 BC
• Established idea of all people equal under the law
• 12 Tables were posted in the Forum for all to see
• The Forum was created by draining swamps
below the Palatine Hill by the Etruscans
Government of the Republic
• Roman gov’t took the best of all govt’s
– Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy
• Had 2 Consuls- ran the army & gov’t
– Could only serve 1 year every 10 years
– 2nd consul could override any decision
• Senate- made laws and decisions
– Was 300 nobles, then plebeians added
– Membership was for life
Government of the Republic
• Had 2 Assemblies– Citizen-soldiers made up Centuriate Assembly
• Was controlled by patricians (rich), changed
• Appointed consuls and made laws
– Plebeians made up the Tribal Assembly
• Eventually became the law making assembly
• Dictator- elected in times of crisis for 6 months
– Had absolute power to make laws and run the army
The Roman Army
• All citizens who owned land were required to fight in the
Roman Legion
– Organization and skill of Roman Army made them very
successful in battles
• Legion- group of 5000 soldiers
– Usually heavily armored
– Were foot soldiers or infantry
– Had to serve 10 years to serve some offices
• Cavalry- horse mounted soldiers
• Century- smaller group of legion
The Roman Legion
1
4
Equals 20 soldiers
Equals 80 soldiers = Century
Cavalry