Download 3.1 Early Rome

The Beginning of an Empire
Early Rome
The Founding of Rome
Around 1000BC a group of tribes called the Latins settle
in central Italy. Some choose to build villages on the
south side of the Tiber River
• surrounded by a ring of hills for defence
• close to sea but safe from pirates
• the river narrowed and had an island
The people lived in little villages on
the hilltops above the river. During
the 8th century BC. the villages
merged to form the city of Rome.
The Romans wanted a glorious past like the
Greeks so they invented their own version of
the founding of the city, Romulus and Remus
In the 8th century the Romans were just
one of many groups in the Italian
peninsula. They were heavily influenced
by their neighbours
The Greeks
The Greeks settled in Southern Italy and
Sicily. The influenced the Romans with their
• goods (pottery, metalwork and wine)
• science
• literature
• art
• architecture
The Etruscans
The Etruscans lived North on Tiber River and had the biggest influence on the early
Romans. Many things we think of as being Roman were adopted from the
Etruscans. They enjoyed chariot races and gladiator fights, built aches, aquaducts
and sewers. They were also important in shaping the government in early Rome
The Kings of Rome
Early Rome was ruled by a king who was chosen by a council of elders. Around
600BC the Etruscans took control of Rome and installed Etruscan Kings. Under their
rule Rome grew to be an impressive city with.
• public square surrounded by temples
• proper drainage systems
• huge defensive walls
The last King of Rome,
Tarquinius Superbus was
very unpopular In 509 BC
he was exiled and Rome
became a republic.
Tarquinius appealed to
other Etruscan cities to
attack Rome. Lead by
Horatio the Romans held
them off at wooden bridge
that crossed the Tiber
River.
The Conquest of Italy
The Early Roman Republic was surrounded by enemies. To North was the
Etruscans and central Italy was swarming with fierce mountain tribes. The
Romans were also at war with rival Latin cities and foreign invaders. By using a
mixture of military power and clever politics Rome gradually fought off their
enemies and gain control of the Italian peninsula.
In 400BC Rome Allied itself with other Latin cities, The
Latin League, together they defeated Etruscan city of
Veii. Making Rome central city in Latium region
In 390 BC Roman conquest
was put on hold for when
Rome was invaded by the
Gauls. The Gauls sacked and
burned Rome and left only
after being paid 1000lbs in
gold
As the Romans rebuild their city the other cities in the Latin League began to resent
Rome’s power and war broke out. In 338 BC Rome defeated the league and
incorporated their cities in the growing Roman State.
By 290BC the Romans had defeated
• Samnites,
• Etruscans
• Gauls
Rome controlled all of Central and Northern
Italy and with each victory Rome seemed to
gather strength.
In 282 BC Rome was drawn into the Pyrrhic
wars and defeated the Southern Greeks. By
264 BC Rome dominated all of Italy and had
made itself one of the most powerful states
in the Mediterranean.