* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Ancient Rome - mrbeckwithhistory
Structural history of the Roman military wikipedia , lookup
Constitutional reforms of Sulla wikipedia , lookup
Travel in Classical antiquity wikipedia , lookup
Promagistrate wikipedia , lookup
Military of ancient Rome wikipedia , lookup
Food and dining in the Roman Empire wikipedia , lookup
Demography of the Roman Empire wikipedia , lookup
Education in ancient Rome wikipedia , lookup
Roman Kingdom wikipedia , lookup
Roman army of the late Republic wikipedia , lookup
Cursus honorum wikipedia , lookup
Roman historiography wikipedia , lookup
Roman funerary practices wikipedia , lookup
Rome (TV series) wikipedia , lookup
Roman economy wikipedia , lookup
Culture of ancient Rome wikipedia , lookup
Roman agriculture wikipedia , lookup
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