Download Rome Part 1

Roman Beginnings
through the Pax Romana
Roman Beginnings…
Rome started in the Tiber River Valley around
2000BC.
Rome is located on the Italian Peninsula – a
body of land nearly surrounded by water.
Italian Peninsula Powers
Rise of Republic
In the beginning Ancient Rome was made
up of two groups:
Patricians – wealthy landowners who
were allowed to vote and hold office
Plebeians – commoners who were
allowed to vote but could not hold office
Conflict
• Plebeians were jealous of the Patrician’s
power.
• This led to the development of a republic
with a tripartite government (3 branches).
• This was a republic – government in which
citizens elect representatives to rule.
Republic
• The republic has 3 branches of government –
Executive (enforces laws)
Legislative (makes laws)
Judicial (interprets laws)
• 451B.C. - Twelve Tables created: Ensuring the
right to protection of the law for all Roman
citizens
Executive Branch
• Executive – made up of two consuls
• Consuls commanded the army and
directed the government for one year.
• In a crisis Consuls could choose a dictator
– a leader with absolute power.
Legislative Branch
• Legislative – made up of Senate and
Assemblies
• Senate was a powerful body of 300
members who advised Roman leaders
• Most senators were patricians and most
assembly members were plebeians.
Judicial Branch
• Judicial – made up of 8 judges
• Each judge served for one year
• They supervised courts and governed
provinces.
Rome Expands…
Rome expanded:
• North - Took over the
Etruscans
• South - Took over the
Greeks
• By 270B.C. Rome ruled
all of central and
southern Italy
Punic Wars
• Series of three wars over
100 years… Carthage
versus Rome
• Rome won all 3 wars
and took over control of
Carthage!
Rome before the wars…
Rome after the Punic Wars…
Roman Empire
through the
Pax Romana
Rome Becomes An
Empire
Expanding across the Mediterranean
brought many changes to Rome including
becoming an Empire – a group of lands and
people brought together under one ruler.
Expansion under the Republic
• Rome expanded to…
– 146 B.C. Macedonia
and Greece
– 133 B.C. Asia Minor
– 100 B.C. Middle East
and Egypt
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
= MARE NOSTRUM (“OUR SEA”)
End of the Republic
Senate became too powerful and the
army was doing all the work.
They wanted a strong leader.
Enter: Julius Caesar
• Popular General
Fresh from the Gallic Wars in which Rome
took over Gaul
• Popular Politician
Supported the common people (Plebians)
• Popular Dictator
Led his soldiers to Italy and took control of
Rome in a civil war – war between people
living in the same country.
Julius Caesar
• 44 B.C. - Named Dictator for life
(government controlled by one leader)
• All powerful
• According to the Senate…He was too
powerful!
Death of Julius Caesar
March 15, 44 BC
• Senate held a meeting.
• Several members surround and
assassinate (kill) Julius Caesar.
• His death is the end of the Republic.
Enter: Octavian
• Octavian – Caesar’s great-nephew and
adopted son.
• 27 B.C. – became ruler of Rome.
• Octavian is named first emperor by the
Senate
• Changed name to Augustus (exalted one)
• Chose to be called “first citizen”.
Augustus Caesar
The Roman Empire is born!
Augustus
• Brought the provinces
under control
• Strengthened Rome’s
defenses
• Began a Civil Service
– group of officials
employed by the
government.
• Rebuilt Rome and
made it beautiful.
Pax Romana
• Under Augustus the Pax Romana
began (The Roman Peace)
• The Pax Romana lasted for 200
years.
Pax Romana (Roman Peace)
Legacy of Augustus
• The Roman Empire grew to its largest
size.
• Had the greatest army in the world.
• Ideas were so successful that the
Roman Empire continued to do well
after his death.