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Ancient Rome
Creation of a Republic
Origin of Rome
• Rome built in the hills at a curve of the Tiber
River near the center of the Italian Peninsula
– Three groups struggle for control
Latins – farmers and herders who came across the Alps and settled
around the Tiber River around 1000B.C.
– first to settle Rome
Greeks – established about 50 colonies on the coast of Italy between
750 and 600B.C.
- Cities prosperous and active and brought Italy into closer
contact with Greek civilization
Etruscans – skilled metalworkers and engineers native to northern Italy
- Influences Roman architecture, especially use of the arch
Early Roman Republic
• 600B.C. an Etruscan becomes king and Rome
grows from a collection of hilltop villages to a city
of nearly 500 square miles full of rich agricultural
land
– 509B.C. a harsh tyrant ruler (Tarquin the Proud) is
driven from power by Roman aristocrats and
becomes the last king of Rome
• A Republic is established or a form of
government in which power rests with citizens
who have the right to vote to select leaders
Early Republic
• Different groups struggle for power within
the republic
– Patricians – aristocratic landowners who held most of
the power
• Inherited power and social status
– Plebeians – common farmers, artisans and merchants
who made up the majority of the population
• Barred, by law, to hold important gov’t positions
• Twelve Tables – set of rules which were
written on twelve tablets and hung around
the forum
– all free citizens protected by the law
Roman Government
• Executive Branch (enforces the laws)
– Instead of a king, Rome had two officials called consuls that
commanded the army and directed the government
• Served only one year and couldn’t serve again until 10 years later
and one consul could always override, or veto , the other consul’s
decision
• Legislative Branch (makes the laws)
– Senate made up of 300 members of Rome’s upper class – served for
life
– Later, plebeians allowed to form an assembly called the Tribal
Assembly -elected representatives called tribunes that made laws for
the common people (Centuriate Assembly – appointed consuls &
made laws)
• Judicial Branch (interprets the laws)
– Praetors – 8 judges chosen for one year by Centuriate Assembly
• Dictators – a leader who had absolute power to make laws and
command the army
– Served only in time of crisis and only for 6 months
– Chosen by consuls and elected by the Senate
Roman Army
• All citizens who owned land required to serve in the army
– To secure certain public offices in the future a citizen must serve
10 years
• Soldiers organized into large military units called legions
– Made up of 5000 heavily armed foot soldiers (infantry)
– Group of soldiers on horseback (cavalry)
• Legions divided into smaller groups of 80 men, each called a
century
– Each century acted independently of the legion giving the
army great flexibility
• Great military strength and organization
will allow Rome to spread its power!!
The Republic Collapses
• As Rome grew more powerful, the poor people
began demanding better living conditions
– Some in government pushed for breaking up large
estates and giving land to the poor
• The people who made these suggestions were all
assassinated
– This led to a period of civil war—conflict between groups in the
same country
• In the military, soldiers were promised land by
generals after their service
– This led to soldiers being loyal to generals not the
government
The Republic Collapses
• As civil war continued, three men in Rome
decided to take charge and bring order.
1. Crassus
2. Pompey
3. Julius Caesar
– These three men formed a Triumvirate – a group of
three leaders
• Caesar was a very popular general and gained
fame for expanding the Roman Empire
– Fearing he would take over as leader, Caesar was
ordered to disband his army
• Caesar refused and marched his army into Rome and took
over the government
The Republic Collapses
• Caesar now had the support of the army
and the people
– In 46 B.C he was appointed Dictator of Rome
• 2 years later he was made dictator for life by the
Senate
– Later assassinated by Senators who fear his growing
power
– Caesar’s rule starts a period of frequent
leadership change in Rome
• Leaders are assassinated and replaced by 1, 2 or
3 people
Rome Becomes a Powerful Empire
• From 27 B.C to 180 C.E Rome was at its peak in power
– Peace remained throughout the empire giving this time period
the name
• Pax Romana—Roman Peace
• Agriculture was the most important industry in Rome
– 90% of the people were in farming
• Rome also developed a vast trading network
– Goods were traded from North Africa, the Middle East and
Europe
• This helped Rome gain enormous wealth
Life in Rome
• The men in the household controlled all property
• Women in Rome were nearly equal to men
– In Rome, women could
1. own property
2. testify in court
• Few children went to school
– Most children helped their parents with family duties
• Slavery was a significant part of Roman life
– Most slaves were conquered people brought into the empire
• Children born to slaves were also slaves
– Slaves of wealthier people were treated kindly
– Some slaves were sold and became gladiators—Professional fighters
Bas-relief
Pompeii
Rise of
Christianity
Rise of Christianity
- Rome’s worship of many gods was impersonal and unemotional
- Priests performed rituals on behalf of the worshippers
- Around 63B.C. the Jews in Judea come under Roman rule
- Jewish kings ruled as representatives to Rome
- However, many Jews angered by Roman use of force
- About 4B.C. Jesus is born in Bethlehem in Judea as a Jew and
Roman subject
- Around the age of 30, Jesus began to preach and teach good deeds
and reportedly performed miracles
- Jesus taught about monotheism, the Ten Commandments, a personal
relationship with a loving God, and eternal life for those who repented
their sins
- this message was taught to 12 pupils of Jesus called Disciples
Rise of Christianity
• Jesus gained popularity with many people, especially the poor
– Many felt he was the Messiah – the Son of God or savior that
would restore the kingdom of the Jews
• Jewish leaders did not believe Jesus was the Messiah
• His growing popularity concerned Roman officials
– Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, sentenced
Jesus to death because he though Jesus challenged the
authority of Rome
– After his death, many of Jesus’ followers claimed to
have seen Jesus
» The Disciples of Jesus began to call him Jesus
Christ – Christ coming from the Greek Christos
meaning Messiah
• This religion becomes known as Christianity
Spread of Christianity
• Spreads slowly throughout the Roman Empire despite
political and religious opposition
– Pax Romana makes travel and the exchange of
ideas safe
– Roman built roads make travel by land easier
– Common language of Latin and Greek allow for
message to be easily understood
• Roman Emperors angry that Christians did not
worship Roman gods
– Many exiled, imprisoned or executed
» Persecution – using violence against another group
because of their beliefs, race or other differences
Christianity becomes a World Religion
• Reasons it grew and spread:
– Embraced all types of people (men, women,
poor, slaves)
– Gave hope to the powerless
– Appealed to those who were repelled by
extravagance of Rome
– Offered a personal relationship with a loving God
– Promised eternal life after death
Fall of the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire Declines
– Rome’s Economy Declines
• tradefood
disrupted
bydwindles
hostile tribes outside the empire and by pirates on
- Rome’s
supply
Seaproductivity
• the
overMediterranean
farmed soil loses
•• farmland
destroyed
frequent wars
costlyby warfare
•• High
taxes
cause
pooron
farmers
abandon
wealthy
spent
money
luxury to
goods
from land
China, India and Arabia
• reliance on slave labor discouraged new technology
• Empire no longer expanding – no new sources of money
• Disease spreads and population declines
– Increase taxes to pay for growing expenses
– mint more coins, made with less silver
o resulted in Inflation – a drop in the value of money causing
a rise in prices
The Roman Empire Declines
• Rome’s military declines
– Germanic tribes repeatedly overwhelm
Roman legions guarding northern frontiers
– Territory threatened by other non-Roman
groups (Barbarians)
• Discipline and loyalty collapsed
– Soldiers loyal to commander – not Rome
– Mercenaries – foreign soldiers who fought for money are
hired by the Roman government
» Costs less than Roman soldiers, but less loyal to the
empire
The Roman Empire Declines
• Rome’s Politics Declines
– Citizens, once loyal to the Republic, lost
sense of patriotism
• once an honor to hold office and an opportunity to
gain wealth
– Local officials now lost money, few had a desire to serve
– Army generals continued to fight each other
for control of Rome
Reforming Emperors Attempt to Save Rome
• Diocletian (284A.D.)
–
–
–
–
–
Became an absolute ruler and limited personal freedoms
Doubled the size of the Roman army
Fixed prices to control inflation
Ordered farmers to remain on their lands and work for life
Claimed he was descended from Roman gods
• Christianity seen as a threat and laws passed to persecute
Christians
– Empire divided into two
• Greek speaking East – controlled by Diocletian
• Latin speaking West – co-ruler appointed by Diocletian
– Diocletian retires due to ill health and Rome breaks out in civil
war
Reforming Emperors Attempt to Save Rome
• Constantine
– Controls western empire (312A.D.) and continues
policies of Diocletian
• Ends persecution of the Christians
• 12 years later he controls eastern empire and re-unites
Rome
– Moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium causing a shift of
power within the empire
» City eventually renamed Constantinople and modeled after
Rome
– Empire again divided after Constantine’s death
Western Empire Collapses
•
Why?
– Internal problems worsen
– Separation from wealthier eastern empire worsens economy
– Outside invaders can’t be stopped
• Huns (fierce Mongol nomads) move into Europe forcing German
tribes to move into the Roman Empire
– By early 400’s Rome was vulnerable to attack
– In 408A.D., a Germanic tribe, the Visigoths, led by King Alaric
put Rome under siege
» 410A.D. Rome is attacked and plundered
• Huns threaten both halves of the Empire, led by Attila
– Attack and plunder 70 cities in the east, but unable to take
Constantinople
– Head west and attack Rome
» Huns, weakened by disease, negotiate a withdrawal from
Rome
» Huns no longer a threat after Attila’s death – Germanic
invasions continue
Famine strikes Rome – Population drops from 1 million to 20,000