Download Chapter 5 Ancient Rome

Chapter 5 Ancient Rome
Roman Chronology
 Founding of Rome 753BC
 Monarchy (Regal) Period 753 - 509BC
 Roman Republic (major expansion) 509 - 27BC
 Roman Empire 27BC - 476AD
The Rise of Rome:
 Italy is a peninsula about 750 miles long north to south.
o A narrow boot-shaped peninsula, it extends from Europe toward the
shores of Africa, dividing the Mediterranean almost in half.
o The Apennine Mountains run down the middle.
o Three important fertile plains ideal for farming are along the Po River;
the plain of Latium, where Rome is located; and the plain of
Campania, south of Latium.
o Italy’s extensive farmland allowed it to support a large population.
o Rome was favorably located 18 miles inland on the Tiber River.
 It had easy access to the sea but was safe from pirates.
 It was easily defended because it was built on seven hills.
 The Alps (mountains) to the north protected Rome from
invasion
 The Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea protected Rome
and eventually gave them a method of trade
o Rome also was located on a north-south traffic route in Italy.
o Because the Italian peninsula juts out into the Mediterranean, it
naturally was a stopping point for east-west Mediterranean trade and
travel.
 It was ideally situated to be the center of trade among Asia,
Europe, and Africa.
 This position helped Rome win and maintain its
Mediterranean empire.
Early Peoples of Italy:
 Indo-European peoples moved into Italy from about 1500 to 1000 B.C.
 One group was the Latins in the region of Latium.
o Herders and farmers who lived on Rome’s hills, they spoke Latin, an
Indo-European language.
 Founding of Rome:
o Legend (myth) - in 753BC Romulus was building the wall of a city on
a hill overlooking the Tiber River. His twin brother Remus jumped
over the wall and Romulus killed his brother. Romulus kept building
the city that grew to include 7 hills.
o Fact - between 800BC - 700BC the Latins huddled in straw-roofed
huts in villages on the seven hills and apparently they agreed to join
and form one community.
 After 800 B.C., Greeks and Etruscans moved into Italy - Etruscan society
probably consisted of wealthy overlords, aristocratic priests, and a slave labor
force made up of conquered peoples.
o The Greeks settled in southern Italy, giving the Romans their alphabet
and artistic models for sculpture, architecture, and literature.
o The Greeks also occupied parts of Sicily.
Monarchy Period:
 The Etruscans had more impact on early Rome’s development.
o After 650 B.C. they controlled most of Rome and Latium.
o The Etruscans turned Rome from a village into a city and gave the
Romans their mode of dress–toga and short cloak.
o
o
o
The organization of the Roman army was modeled on the Etruscan
army.
Etruscans gained control of Rome and the Tarquins provided kings to
rule over the Romans (Monarchy Period)
In 534BC Tarquin the Proud became the king and his cruelties
angered the Romans and in 509BC they drove the Tarquins out
(beginning of the Roman Republic)
Roman Republic:
 In 509 B.C., the Romans overthrew the last Etruscan king and established a
republic.
o In a republic the leader is not a king, and certain citizens have the right
to vote.
o Enemies surrounded Rome, and so the young republic began a long
period of continuous warfare.
o By 264 B.C. Rome had defeated the other states of Latium, the people
of the central Apennines, the Greeks in the south, and the last Etruscan
settlements in the north.
o Rome now controlled almost all of Italy.
o To rule, the Romans devised the Roman Confederation.
o Some people–especially the Latins–had full Roman citizenship.
o Other groups were allies who controlled their local affairs but gave
soldiers to Rome.
o Such people could become Roman citizens.
o Romans believed that their success was due to three virtues: duty,
courage, and discipline.
o The Romans were successful as well because they were good diplomats
who were shrewd in extending Roman citizenship and allowing states
to run their internal affairs.
o They also were skilled, persistent soldiers and brilliant strategists.
o For example, they built towns throughout conquered Italy and
connected them with roads, allowing soldiers to be deployed quickly.
o Finally, in law and politics the Romans were practical and created
institutions that responded effectively to problems.
The Roman State:
 The Romans distrusted kingship because of their experience of Etruscan kings.
 They built a different form of government.
 Early Rome was divided into two groups, the patricians and the plebeians.
o Patricians - were the large landowners who formed Rome’s ruling
class.
o Plebeians - were smaller landowning farmers, craftspeople, and
merchants.
 Both could vote, both had to pay taxes and serve in the military, but only the
Patricians could hold public office.
 The patricians organized Rome’s government into executive and legislative
branches.
 Consuls- patrician officials elected for one-year terms that headed the executive
branch, running the city’s day - to - day business and led the Roman army into
battle.
 Praetor - was in charge of civil law - law as it applied to Roman citizens.
 The legislative branch first consisted of the Assembly of Centuries and the
Senate
o Centuriate Assembly- elected officials of the executive branch including the consuls and praetors and passed laws.
o
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Senate- a group of 300 patrician men (life term) - advised the consuls,
debated foreign policy, proposed laws, and approved contracts for
constructing roads, temples, and defenses.
o The plebeians went on strike to protest their lack of power (they
refused to serve in the military and left the city altogether)
o The patricians, afraid of the loss of their military and work forces,
agreed to meet some of the plebeians’ demands.
o The patricians also formally recognized the council of the plebs, the
plebeians who elected the tribunes.
o Patricians recognized the plebeians’ chosen representatives - called
Tribunes
o Granted the tribunes the power to veto any government decision and
ensured their protection
o Laws:
o Plebeians got the patricians to engrave the laws on 12 bronze tablets
(The Twelve Tables) and they set them in the Forum for all to see.
o In 287 the plebeians won the right to make laws for the republic in the
council of the plebs.
o Law of Nations: the expanded Roman system of law that governed both
Romans and non-Romans.
o The Romans came to identify the Law of Nations with natural law or
universal law based on reason - this enabled them to establish standards
of justice that applied to all people.
Social Structure of the Republic
o Patricians - powerful nobility (very few)
o Plebeians - majority of population
o Slaves - not based on race
Roman citizenship was given to the following
o Patrician and plebeian men and,
o Selected foreigners
o Rights and responsibilities of citizenship - pay taxes and military
service.
Although women, most aliens (non-Romans living in the Republic), and slaves
were excluded from the governing process, the Roman Republic made major
strides in the development of representative democracy, which becomes a
foundation of modern democracy.
Expansion:
Around 264 BC there were 5 major powers: the three Hellenistic Kingdoms, Rome, and Carthage
1. Rome
2. Carthage
3. Antigonid
4. Seleucid
5. Ptolemaic
By 133BC Rome becomes the #1 power in the Mediterranean world.
 Territorial Expansion (264-133BC)
 Western Mediterranean:
o 1st Punic War (264-241BC)
o Carthage threatened to seize the Strait of Messina, a narrow passage between Sicily and
Italy. Romans sent a force to secure the Strait; this caused the 1st Punic War. The
Romans defeated Carthage taking Sicily and making them pay for damages (called an
indemnity).
 2nd Punic War (218 - 201BC)
o Hannibal - became the general of the Carthaginian army in Spain
o He led his army against one of Rome’s allies in Spain conquering them.
o He then led them into Italy
o
o
40,000 soldiers and 40 elephants
Marched through Spain, Gaul and up the Alps
 Half of his army and most of the elephants did not make the journey
o He defeated the Romans in three battles
o 50-80 thousand Romans died in the last battle
o The Romans raised a new volunteer legion (a group of 6,000 men) and their general
Scipio attacked Carthage and forced Hannibal to return to Africa
o In 202BC Scipio’s army defeats Hannibal and Carthage is forced to give up their land in
Spain, hand over most of their warships, and pay another indemnity
o Some say the war was not against Carthage, but against Hannibal.
 3rd Punic War (149-146BC) & Solidification
o Carthage regained its wealth, which scared Rome, thus they decided to end Carthage’s
independence for good.
o In 146BC Rome burned Carthage, sold its population into slavery, and sowed salt in its
soil so that no crops would grow.
o Solidification:
o Rome solidified its control of Spain and Gaul thus controlling western Mediterranean
region
o With the defeat of Carthage Rome expanded its trading territory and gained enormous
wealth
 Eastern Mediterranean: (230BC - 133BC)
o While the Punic Wars were taking place the Roman Legions were also engaged in battle
in the east.
o By 133BC the Romans brought the eastern Mediterranean region under its control.
o They left Syria and Egypt independent, but forced them into obedient alliances.
 Romans emerged as the rulers of the Mediterranean from Spain to Asia Minor - they even called
the Mediterranean "mare nostrum" - "our sea"
From Republic to Empire:
o The difficulty of ruling over such a vast territory lead to political, social, and economic
upheaval.
o Political - Rome organized the territories into provinces that had to pay tribute to Rome
and recognize its authority.
 The Senate appointed governors - proconsuls - often accepted bribes and
robbed the treasuries.
 The publicans - tax collectors - also accepted bribes
 This leads to the provinces rebelling against Rome, thus it became necessary to
station Roman legions in most provinces.
 This puts a strain of Rome’s resources (troops, money)
o Economic - by expanding, the Roman government acquired properties in the provinces.
 Latifundia- large estates run by wealthy Romans. They used slave labor, thus
they produced crops that cost less then those grown by small farmers in Italy,
thus putting them out of business.
 These small farms were bought up and were combined to create latifundias for
sheep ranching, and raising olives and fruits
 This forced the small farmers to migrate to the cities in search of jobs and a better life.
o However, they found that many of the jobs were being done by slaves
o These people eked out a living and voted for any leader who promised jobs and cheaper
food.
 All of these problems lead to the devaluation of Roman currency and inflation (money wasn’t
worth as much and things cost more)
 These problems lead to civil war
o Marius (a general) gave the poor jobs by enlisting them into the army. He paid them and
promised them land after they were discharged (first time Rome had a professional arm in
which soldiers owed allegiance to their commander, not the republic).
o In 88BC Marius led his army against Sulla’s (general) army
Sulla’s legions captured Rome and drove Marius into exile.
He declared himself dictator, however the army became the most powerful element in
Roman politics.
 In 70BC General Pompey and Marcus Licinius Crassus were elected consuls.
 They gained support of Julius Caesar
 In 60BC the three formed a triumvirate - a group of three persons with equal power - to control
the government.
o The triumvirate was unstable and eventually lead to civil war
o Caesar took a military command in Gaul, and conquered the Celts forcing them to accept
Roman rule. He then moved north increasing Rome’s landholdings in northwestern
Europe
o Crassus died while attempting to prove he to was a great military leader
o In 53BC, fearing Caesar’s power, Pompey and the Senate ordered Caesar to leave his
legions north of the Rubicon River, the legal border of Roman Italy, and return to Rome
o However, Caesar crossed the river and officially committed treason and started a civil
war.
o Within two months Caesar captured all of Italy and drove Pompey and his allies out of
the country.
 In 45BC Caesar took over the government as dictator for life.
o Under his leadership, the government gave jobs to the unemployed, public land to the
poor, and citizenship to man people in the provinces.
o He also added representatives from the provinces to the Senate
o Many Romans loved Caesar, however many considered him a tyrant who wanted to end
the republic and rule as a king.
o To prevent this a group of senators led by Brutus and Cassius assassinated Caesar.
End of the Republic
o After Julius Caesar’s death his grandnephew Octavian, joined forces with Marc Antony
and Marcus Lepidus to form a second triumvirate.
o They defeat Caesar’s assassins in 42BC
o Fearing Caesar’s fate they kept up the appearance of republican government, while
splitting up the Roman world.
o Octavian - Italy and the west
o Antony - Greece and the east
o Lepidus - North Africa
 This second triumvirate like the first did not last long
o Octavian forced Lepidus to retire from political life and,
o When Antony married Cleopatra, Octavian persuaded the Romans that Antony intended
to rule them with his foreign queen by his side, he declared war on Antony in Rome’s
name
o In 31BC Octavian’s forces defeated Antony’s forces in a naval battle at Actium, Greece
and one year later Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide to avoid being captured.
o With death of Antony, Octavian became the undisputed ruler of Rome
 In 27BC Octavian believed that Rome needed one strong leader and the Senate agreed and
appointed Octavian consul, tribune, and commander in chief for life.
 The Senate gave him the title Augustus - "revered one or exalted one"
 Thus the Roman Republic ended
The Roman Empire: (27BC - 476AD)
 Pax Romana - Roman Peace - began in 31BC and lasted for about 200 years
 During Augustus Caesar’s reign he:
o Rebuilt Rome
o Became a great patron of the arts
o Instituted political reforms
o Proconsuls could no longer exploit the provinces
o Publicans were replaced by permanent government employees
o Grain was imported form North Africa so that all in Rome would be fed.
o
o
o New roads were built and old one repaired
o And magnificent public buildings were constructed throughout the empire.
 Augustus chose his own successor, however he never came up with a law for the selection of later
emperors.
 The first Emperors:
o Julian Emperors: related in some way to Julius Caesar
o Tiberius - accused many innocent people of treason against him
o Caligula- became mentally disturbed and was killed by a palace guard
o Claudius- was a renowned scholar, but as he grew older he had difficulty focusing on
affairs of state
o Nero- Very cruel and probably insane. He killed his wife, mother, and many senators
because he suspected them of plotting against him
o Year of the Four Emperors (AD68 - 69)
o Latvians (AD69 - 96)
o The Good Emperors
 (Antonines AD96 - 192) known for their skills as effective administrators and
their support of large building projects.
o Nerva - (AD96-98)
o Trajan- (AD98-117) increased the empire to its greatest size
o Hadrian- (AD117-138) strengthened Rome’s fortifications
o Antoninus Pius- (AD138-161)
o Marcus Aurelius- (AD161-180) brought the empire to its height of economic prosperity
Imperial Army:
 Augustus and the other emperors maintained the professional army.
 As the Pax Romana increased the number of legions were reduced and they supplemented the
force with troops recruited from the provincial peoples (300,000)
Impact of the Pax Romana: the stability of the Pax Romana boosted trade, raised standards of living, and
generated many achievements in the arts.
 Economy :
o Established a uniform system of money that helped expand trade
o Trade was expanded during this time period. China, India, Southeast Asian countries,
Britain, Gaul, and Spain.
o Safe travel and trade on Roman roads were guaranteed
o Promoted prosperity and stability
 Social:
o Returned the stability to social classes
o 130 holidays
o Chariot races in the Circus Maximus, Gladiators, and mock naval battles
 Political:
o Created a civil service
o Developed a uniform rule of law
Roman Law: Romans had to come up with laws that would apply to non-citizens.
 Jus gentium- law that dealt with non-citizens.
 Jus civile- citizen law
 However, by 200AD the emperors had granted citizenship to peoples of so many nearby provinces
that all free males living in the empire had been made citizens, the two laws became one.
 Their laws stressed the authority of the state over the individual.
 They gave the people legal rights - innocent until proven guilty
 The Roman System of law has formed the basis for the legal systems of many Western nations and
on the Christian Church
Rome’s Achievements/Contributions:
 Because of Roman conquest and trade the Roman cultural and technological achievements was
spread throughout the Empire and these achievements influenced western civilizations.
 Architecture:
o Pantheon- dome on a round base.
o
o
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Colosseum- stadium that seated around 50,000 people
Forum- the center of both politics and commerce
Circus Maximus- stadium where chariot races were held. Seated between 250,000300,000
 Technology:
o Roads- they built a network of roads that linked Rome to the provinces. Appian Way was the first major road it linked Rome with southeastern Italy. (50,000 miles)
o Aqueducts- artificial channels for carrying water. They enabled water to flow into Rome
from as far away as 57 miles.
 Science: the used other cultures leads in both science and medicine.
o Galen- Greek physician that formed the basis of Roman medical science
o Ptolemy- Egyptian astronomer whose observations formed foundations of Roman
astronomy (predicted the motion of the planets).
 Language:
o Latin- and how it forms the basis of the romance languages: Italian, French, Spanish,
Portuguese, and Romanian, and supplies the roots for more than half of English words.
 Literature:
o Virgil- Aeneid - epic poem. He said Rome’s rise was divinely willed.
 History:
o Livy - wrote the History of Rome and is the best known Roman historian.
 Law:
o the principle of "innocent until proven guilty" (twelve tables)
The Development of Christianity:
 Background of Roman Religion:
o The official state religion focused on the worship of a number of gods and goddesses and
some emperors were officially made gods by the Roman Senate. (Greek gods with
Roman Names) handout.
 In the beginning the Romans and the earliest Christians thought of the new religion as a sect group - within Judaism (its roots were in Judaism).
 Jesus of Nazareth was proclaimed the Messiah and his followers - disciples - spread the religion
throughout the Empire.
 It was in conflict with the polytheistic beliefs of the Roman Empire
 Essential beliefs, traditions, and customs
o Monotheism - belief in one God
o Jesus was both Son and incarnation of God
o Life after death
o New Testament - contains accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus as well as early
Christians
o Christian doctrine was established by early church councils
 The Spread of Christianity:
o Jesus’ teachings were spread throughout the Empire by his disciples including Paul and
Peter.
o Peter went to Rome and helped found the church in the city.
o Since the early Christians refused to recognized Roman deities they were often
persecuted (killed). Some were thrown in stadiums and killed by animals for Roman
enjoyment.
o These persecutions lasted until the early 300’sAD
o Roman general Constantine saw a vision ( a cross with the words "With this as your
standard you will have victory") in the sky before he led this troops into battle. They won
the battle and Constantine believed they won because of the Christian God.
o Constantine was named emperor in 312AD.
o He made Christianity legal and he became a protector of the religion.
o He attended meetings of Christian leaders and ordered churches to be built in Rome and
Jerusalem
o
Emperor Theodosius (392AD) made Christianity the official religion of the Roman
Empire and at the same time he outlawed the old Hellenistic and Roman religions
 As the Empire in the West started to decline the church grew in importance, membership, and
influence.
o Constantine was named emperor in 312AD.
o He made Christianity legal and he became a protector of the religion (Edict of Milan).
o He attended meetings of Christian leaders and ordered churches to be built in Rome and
Jerusalem
o Emperor Theodosius (392AD) made Christianity the official religion of the Roman
Empire and at the same time he outlawed the old Hellenistic and Roman religions
 As the Empire in the West started to decline the church grew in importance, membership, and
influence.
o One reason for the decline of the Western Empire is a loss of morals and because of this
the church becomes the moral authority to the people
o For this reason and others loyalty to the church becomes more important than loyalty to
the Emperor
Decline and Fall:
 Split of the Roman Empire:
o The Empire faced severe problems, and in an attempt to solve them three Emperors
instituted reforms (Diocletian, Constantine, and Theodosius) that led to the formation of
the Eastern Empire, but did not solve the problems in the Western Empire.
o Diocletian- decided that the empire was too large for one person to govern, so he split the
empire into two administrative units.
 He set himself up as co-emperor of the eastern provinces
 He set up General Maximian and co-emperor of the western provinces.
o Constantine- moved the Eastern Empire capital to the Greek town of Byzantium
renaming it Constantinople.
o Theodosius- willed upon his death the eastern and western parts should be declared
separate empires.
 The Eastern Empire came to be known as the Byzantine Empire.
 For over a 300 year period, the western part of the Roman Empire steadily declined because of
internal and external problems
 Causes for the Decline of the Western Empire:
o Internal Forces:
1. Emperor - no satisfactory way to elect an Emperor
2. Disease - epidemic diseases swept through the empire
3. Immorality - erosion of traditional values and immoral leaders
lead to the people’s loss of faith in Rome and the family.
4. Christianity - would not recognize Emperor as a god
5. Taxation - to support the vast government bureaucracy and
huge military establishment heavier and heavier taxes were
required.
6. Technological retardation - reliance on slave labor
discouraged Romans from exploring new technology
 Civil conflict and weak administration
o External Forces:
1. Invasions - from Germanic tribes and others
o Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Franks, Vandals,
o Huns - Attila
2. Military - army membership started to include
invaders, resulting in a decline of discipline
 Empire fell in 476AD, when it ceased to have a Roman Emperor
 The true question is weather the Roman Empire Fell?