Download Ancient Rome I > Introduction

Ancient Rome I > Introduction- The Beginning of Rome
Objective SWILLBAT explain how Rome began.
6H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions (e.g.,
Mongol invasion, The Crusades, the Peopling of the Americas and Alexander the Great).
The story of Rome began about 3,000 years ago when a tribe of
people called the Latins built a small village along the Tiber River.
Eventually, several small Latin villages grew around the surrounding
countryside. These Latin people were farmers and sheepherders.
Archeologists and historians believe that around 750 B.C., the village leaders
met together and decided to form a single government. They built a wall
around the villages to protect themselves from invaders and enemies and
called the city Rome. The Latin people became known as Romans.
Rome is the next great ancient civilization we will study. Rome was
and still is located in Italy. It was one of the most powerful cities that grew
into a great empire.
Essential Questions- How did Rome form?
Ancient Rome II > Geography and the Etruscans
Objective SWILLBAT identify how the geography of Rome influenced the development of
the city. SWILLBAT explain the significance of the Etruscans.
6H.2.1) Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions (e.g.,
Mongol invasion, The Crusades, the Peopling of the Americas and Alexander the Great).
6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa
Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne and Qin Shi Huangdi
6G.1.1 Explain how the physical features and human characteristics of a place influenced the development of
civilizations, societies and regions (e.g., location near rivers and natural barriers, trading practices and spread of
culture).
Italy is a peninsula that sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea. The
land around Rome did not have a lot of minerals and metals but the land and
climate were excellent for farming. The farmland was very important. Rome
was able to grow a lot of food to feed its people. The population grew
because there was enough food. There was plenty of food for everyone so
this allowed other people of Rome do other jobs. Anytime there is enough
food, civilization and culture grow.
Romans became soldiers, artists,
politicians, architects, engineers, etc.
The Etruscans were a tribe of people who came to Italy from Asia
around 900 B.C. The Etruscans knew the Greeks and learned a lot from the
Greeks. When they migrated to northern Italy, they built city-states like
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the Greeks. Each city-state was ruled by a king. The early Romans had
contact with the Etruscan people through trade. Then in the year 620 B.C.,
the Etruscans attacked and conquered the city-state of Rome. The
Etruscans, who ruled much of Northern Italy, set up kings in Rome. The
Etruscans ruled Rome for the next 111 years. During this time, they built
Rome into one of the wealthiest cities in Italy. Just like the Etruscans
learned a lot from the Greeks, the Romans learned a lot from the Etruscan
people. The Etruscans taught the Romans about their alphabet and writing
system. They showed the Romans about farming methods. They shared
information about their gods and their religion. The Etruscans taught the
Romans about architecture and how to make buildings bigger and stronger.
They taught the Romans how to use bricks and tile roofing, how to design
and layout streets and cities, and how to improve public works.
In 534 B.C., a new king rose to power in Rome. This king was known as
Tarquin the Proud. The brutality of this king led to a rebellion by the
citizens of Rome in 509 B.C., ending the rule of the Etruscans in Rome. Soon
Rome became more powerful than the Etruscan city-states. Rome became
the center of trade. Many of the Etruscans eventually became part of the
kingdom of Rome. The Roman people learned and perfected everything they
learned from the Etruscans.
Essential Questions:
1. Why was the land surrounding Rome so important for the development
of Roman civilization?
2. Who were the Etruscans?
3. How did the Etruscans influence the Latin people?
Assignment: Write 5 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
Etruscan Migration
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Map Questions: Look at the map on the previous page and answer these
questions.
1. Where did the Etruscan migrate from?
2. Looking at the map, why do you think the Etruscan were heavily
influenced by the Greeks?
3. What seas border the Italian peninsula?
Map Questions: Look at the map on below and answer these questions.
1. What island lies to the west of the Italian peninsula?
2. When was the Etruscan expansion into Rome?
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Ancient Rome III > Government> The Roman Kingdom- The Beginning of
the Roman Republic
Objective SWILLBAT describe the difference between the Roman monarchy and the Roman
Republic. SWBAT explain the role of the Patricians in the Republic. SWILLBAT contrast
the Roman Republic with modern republics.
6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa
Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne and Qin Shi Huangdi
6H.2.2 Compare historical and contemporary events and issues to understand continuity and change.
6C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and structures of various governmental systems (e.g., democracy, absolute monarchy
and constitutional monarchy).
When the Latin people formed Rome, their first kind of
government was a monarchy. The Romans were ruled by kings throughout
the Etruscan period. For about 200 years Rome had seven kings. At first
the kings had total power. Over time, the people of Rome began to have
more power. The people formed a Senate. Under the king, the Senate was
mostly advisors. The Senate was made up of leaders of different Roman
clan groups. The Senate approved or disapproved the appointment of a king.
The Senate also advised the king about laws and money. As the Senate
became more powerful, they had the power to accept or not accept the
decision of the king. By 509B.C. the Etruscans had been overthrown and
Rome no longer had a king. Instead, Rome became a republic. Republican
government was first outlined by the Greek Philosopher Aristotle. To
Aristotle, a republic was a type of government where a small group of elite
leaders were elected as rulers.
During the reign of the Etruscan kings in Rome, the quality of life
amongst the Romans grew to new levels of wealth and education. The most
wealthy and educated of these Roman citizens were known as the patricians.
After the Etruscans were overthrown, the people looked to the patricians
for guidance in running the affairs of their city-state. The patricians were
the elite. The Patricians ruled the Senate and ruled the republic.
The Roman Republic was an early form of democracy. However, the
republican democracy they had in Rome is not the same kind of republican
democracy we have today in the United States or Great Britain. In
democratic republics like the United States almost everyone is a citizen or
can become a citizen. A citizen is a legal member of a country. All U.S.
citizens can vote. Also, almost all citizens in America can be a person in the
government, like a Senator. In Rome, the only citizens allowed to participate
in the Senate were the Patricians. The Patricians were a small percentage of
the Roman population.
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In our next lesson we will learn more about the Roman Republic and
the different kinds of people.
Essential Questions:
1. How was the Roman Kingdom different from the Roman Republic?
2. What role did the Patricians play in the new Republic?
3. How was the Roman republic different from the republic we have in
America today?
Assignment: Write 5 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
Ancient Rome IV > Government> The Roman Republic and the People
Objective SWILLBAT ID the 3 major classes of people in Rome. SWILLBAT ID the role of
the Senate in the Republic. SWILLBAT ID the role of the Assembly in the Republic.
6C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and structures of various governmental systems (e.g., democracy, absolute monarchy
and constitutional monarchy).
6C&G.1.2 Summarize the ideas that shaped political thought in various civilizations, societies and regions (e.g.,
divine right, equality, liberty citizen participation and integration of religious principles).
6C&G.1.3 Compare the requirements for (e.g., age, gender and status) and responsibilities of (e.g., paying taxes
and military service) citizenship under various governments.
6C&G.1.4 Compare the role (e.g., maintain order and enforce societal values and beliefs) and evolution of laws and
legal systems (e.g., need for and changing nature of codified system of laws and punishment) in various civilizations,
societies and regions.
The People
Rome had three major classes of people. Not all citizens could be in
the Senate. Not all of the people were citizens. Here are the 3 classes of
citizens:
 Patricians- Citizens of Rome who could be in the Senate. They were
the highest class in Rome. They were rich and their families had been
in Rome since the beginning. The patricians had the most power.
 Plebeians (Plebs)- Citizens of Rome. Most Romans were plebeians.
The plebeians were free people but they could not be in the Senate or
vote for the Senate. The plebeians could only be part of the
Assembly.
 Slaves- Slaves were people owned by the citizens of Rome. They had
no rights at all. Slaves were captured from other cities during war or
bought from other countries.
Essential Question- What were the three major classes of people in Rome?
List them from most powerful to least powerful.
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Assignment 1- Draw a tree diagram poster that shows the people of Rome.
Write a brief definition of each class.
Assignment2 - Write 5 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
The Republican Government
The Republic of Rome allowed all of its citizens to participate in
government.
However, certain citizens had more power within the
government. The government had two major factions; the Assembly and the
Senate. The Assembly was comprised of Plebeians and the Senate was
comprised of Patricians. In reality, the republican government in Rome was
controlled by elite members of society- the patricians. These leaders could
be elected to the Senate, which was made up of 300 elected leaders.
The Senate- “Speakers for the Patricians”
When Rome became a republic, the citizens of Rome took control.
However, not all citizens had the same amount of control. The Senate had
all the power. The Senate made laws and decisions for everyone in Rome.
The Senators were patrician citizens. Responsibilities of the Senate
included making laws and spending money. In addition, the Senate authorized
war, built projects, levied taxes, and conducted other matters of public
policy.
Senators were chosen by two other members of the Senate called
consuls. Once a person became a Senator he had the position for the rest of
his life. There were 300 seats in the Senate. A position in the Senate only
opened up if a Senator died. When a new seat opened up the two consuls
appointed a new Senator.
The consuls were the two most powerful positions in the Senate. The
consuls were actually elected by the plebeians. These consuls, who served
for a one year term, made up an executive branch of government. They had
authority to oversee all government employees, tax collection, and to insure
that laws were being enforced. In many ways the role of the consuls, was
similar to the role of our president. These consuls had a great deal of power
when they acted together. However, they could not do anything alone. Either
consul had the authority to veto the decisions of the other, helping to keep
the power of either in check.
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The Assembly- “Speakers for the Plebeians”
The Assembly was advisors to the Senate. A plebeian was not allowed
to be a senator. A plebeian could only be part of the Assembly.
The
Assembly included all the plebeian citizens of Rome. The Assembly did not
have a big building to meet in like the Senate did. The Assembly met in the
Forum. The Forum was a big courtyard in the middle of Rome. The
Assembly met in the Forum anytime they wanted to talk about something.
For example, someone in the Assembly could say that a road needed to be
fixed. The Assembly did not have the power of the Senate. The Assembly
could suggest laws or declare war but the Senate did not have to listen to
them. The Senators could simply ignore whatever the Assembly asked for.
However, many times the Senate did actually listen to the Assembly because
the Assembly had one very important power over the Senate. The Assembly
had the power to elect the two Consuls. The Consuls were two Senators who
shared the head of the government. Consuls were the highest members of
the Senate and Roman government. The Consuls chose new Senators when a
new Senate position was available. The Consuls also controlled the army.
Every year the Assembly elected new Consuls. The Assembly could vote for
the same two consuls or vote for new ones. Noble patricians who wanted to
rise to the highest power of Consuls had to make the plebeians happy. If
they did not make the plebeians happy, then the Assembly would choose
someone else for the Consul. The power of the Assembly came from making
sure they chose Consuls who would try and help the Plebeian citizens as much
as possible.
During times of emergency, such as during a war, the Romans elected
a dictator. This dictator had complete authority and his word was law.
However, this dictator only served until the crisis was over. Afterwards
power was returned to the Senate and to the elected consuls. This form of
republican government survived for 500 years. During this period Rome
became the most powerful civilization ever.
Essential Questions:
1. What was the job of the Senate?
2. How did a patrician become a Senator?
3. How did a Senator rise to the most powerful position of a Consul?
4. What did the Assembly do and who was in the Assembly?
5. What was the Assembly’s most important power?
6. Where did the power of the Assembly come from?
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The Roman Forum Today
The Roman Forum- Where the Assembly Met
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The Roman Senate Building Today
Meeting at the Roman Senate
Assignment 1: Write 10 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
Assignment 2: Draw a tree diagram that explains the structure of
government under the Roman Republic. Label and define all parts. Use the
chart below.
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Structure of Government Under the Republic
2 Consuls
Head of Government
PATRICIANS
1 year term chosen by
Assembly
Consuls chose the Senators
Leaders of the Senate
Controlled the army
Acted as judges
In an emergency, consuls
could choose a dictator – a
single ruler to make quick
decisions.
Both consuls had to agree on
their decisions. Each had the
power to Veto the other. In
Latin, veto means “I forbid.”
Senate (300 members)
PATRICIANS only
Life term- Elected for life
Made laws
Advised the consuls. Advised
the Assembly.
Directed spending, including
tax dollars
Approved or disapproved laws
made by the Assembly
Made decisions concerning
relationships with foreign
powers
Assembly
PLEBEIANS
Elected the 2 Consuls
Elected government
officials including judges.
Made suggestions for laws
Voted on laws suggested by
government officials
Declared war or peace
Ancient Rome V > Expansion and the Punic Wars
Objective- SWILLBAT explain how and where Rome expanded during the Republic.
SWILLBAT state the significance of the Punic Wars.
6H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions (e.g.,
Mongol invasion, The Crusades, the Peopling of the Americas and Alexander the Great).
6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa
Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne and Qin Shi Huangdi
6G.2.1 Use maps, charts, graphs, geographic data and available technology tools to draw conclusions about the
emergence, expansion and decline of civilizations, societies and regions
The Roman Republic began in 510 B.C and ended in 23 B.C. It lasted
for 500 years. In comparison, the United States has been around since
1776. Our government has been around less than 250 years, so we haven’t
been around half as long as the Roman Republic.
During the Republic, Rome became very powerful. All Roman citizens
were required to serve in the military when needed. This insured a
constantly available supply of soldiers. Rome’s military became very strong
and Rome took control of most of Italy by 264 B.C. Rome then went on to
dominate the Mediterranean Sea thus enabling Rome control trade and
expand to other areas outside of Italy. Rome began to take lands in Spain,
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Greece and North Africa. As Rome expanded, it brought its language,
culture and architecture. Architecture means the design of buildings. Even
today, Roman buildings are found all over Europe.
Rome was quite unique in the way it treated the people they
conquered. As the Romans conquered their neighbors, they treated them
relatively good. At this time in world history, most enemies were simply
slaughtered and destroyed. The Romans not only allowed the conquered to
live, but also allowed them to continue following their own religions and
traditional ways of life. In many cases, conquered peoples were even granted
Roman citizenship. In this way, the Romans were able to build unity and
loyalty throughout their empire. They were able to build a loyal population
that would later fight for and defend Rome. They assimilated conquered
peoples into Roman society.
Rome’s biggest enemy and challenge during the Republic was Carthage.
Carthage was a powerful city-state in North Africa. Carthage controlled
much of North Africa and had several colonies. Carthage also wanted to
control the Mediterranean Sea so it could control trade. Rome and Carthage
became bitter enemies who Rome and Carthage fought each other for a long
time over controlling trade and colonies around the Mediterranean and
North Africa coasts. This fight between Rome and Carthage was called the
Punic Wars. There were actually three separate Punic Wars. The First
Punic War was fought between 264 B.C. and 241 B.C. The Second Punic War
was fought between 218 B.C. and 201 B.C. and the Third Punic was fought
between 149 B.C. and 146 B.C. There were periods of peace between each of
wars. They are collectively known as the Punic Wars because they were
fought over control of the Mediterranean and North Africa
Rome was almost defeated by a famous Carthaginian general named
Hannibal. Hannibal invaded Italy with his warrior elephants from Africa. In
the end, Hannibal was not able to defeat Rome and eventually Rome defeated
Carthage in the Punic Wars. After about 120 years of on and off fighting,
Rome totally defeated and destroyed Carthage in 146 B.C. Rome was now
ready to expand control all of Europe and the Mediterranean.
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Essential Questions
1. How and where did Rome expand during the Republic?
2. How did Rome gain the loyalty of the people they had defeated?
3. What were the Punic Wars?
Assignment: Write 7 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
The First Punic War (264 B.C.-241B.C.)
One day, Rome took a good look at how big Carthage was getting. The
problem, as Rome saw it, was that Carthage controlled three islands off the
coast of Italy: Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia. That was too close for comfort.
Rome decided that Carthage needed to join the Republic. Carthage disagreed.
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Carthage and Rome fought for 20 years. This was the first Punic War.
Nobody won. After 20 years of fighting, all they had accomplished was to kill
a lot of people and to cause a lot of hatred.
To end the fighting, Carthage offered Rome a deal. Carthage said: “If
you’ll go away and leave us alone, we’ll give you the island of Sicily.” Rome
took the deal. However they also took Sardinia and Corsica, the other two
islands off the coast of Italy. Carthage was furious. But they were tired of
fighting Rome. Carthage decided to fight Spain instead, and make up the
land they had lost there. The general took his army and his nine-year-old son,
Hannibal, and left for Spain. Before he left home, he made his son swear
that as soon as he was old enough, Hannibal would fight the Romans and make
them pay for all the lives they had cost. Hannibal promised. That was the
beginning of the legend of Hannibal, military genius.
Over the next several years, while fighting in Spain, Hannibal learned
to be a strong leader. His Dad and his men had taught him well. But mostly,
he was naturally tricky. Hannibal won most of his battles by coming up with
clever ideas. One time, while fighting at sea, Hannibal had his men dump
barrels full of live snakes onto the deck of an enemy ship. The enemy had
not expected Hannibal to do that. They weren’t prepared to fight snakes.
Hannibal won that battle easily.
A few years after his Dad died, the soldiers in Spain chose him to be
their new general. He was only 26 years old at the time. Hannibal did not
hesitate. He took the job, married a Spanish princess, and started wars with
several cities in Spain. His plan was to conquer all of Spain.
Questions
1. What was the First Punic War about?
2. What do you think leads to the Second Punic War?
3. Who was Hannibal?
4. What was the outcome of the First Punic War?
The Second Punic War (218 B.C. -201 B.C.)
One of the cities Hannibal attacked happened to be good friends with
Rome. Rome decided to lend a hand. But Rome did not send help to Spain.
They declared war on Carthage, Hannibal’s hometown and the center of the
Carthage Empire.
That was fine with Hannibal. He had never forgotten the promise he
had made to his father. He had orders from Carthage to fight Rome. He
needed to take Rome by surprise. He decided to attack Rome from the north.
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Rome would never expect that. Hannibal’s plan was to march 90,000 foot
soldiers, 12,000 cavalry, and 37 elephants from Spain, through Gaul, over the
Alps, into Italy, and then take Rome by force.
His plan did not work as expected. The route was more rugged that he
had expected. He lost nearly all his elephants and half his men on the trip.
He expected people in Northern Italy to help him. They did help him by
leaving him alone, but they would not join his army. Carthage did not have a
strong navy to use to send supplies.
Hannibal came up with a new plan. Instead of marching on Rome, he
drove Rome crazy by attacking smaller outposts and stealing food and
weapons, food intended for Rome. Hannibal and his men stayed on the Italian
peninsula for 15 years, causing trouble where he could.
In 203 BCE, Rome had had it with Hannibal. They couldn’t catch him,
so they attacked Carthage instead. Carthage, in a panic, called Hannibal
home. Before Hannibal could arrive, Carthage had agreed to peace terms
with Rome.
Terms:
 Carthage would leave Spain, Gaul, and Italy
 Carthage would reduce their navy to 20 warships
 Carthage had to pay 5000 talents (the money of the time) in war
damages
Once Hannibal arrived home, the leaders in Carthage changed their minds.
They decided not to honor their peace terms. Rome was furious. They sent
an army to Carthage. Hannibal’s army lost, but Hannibal managed to get away.
If possible, Rome was even more furious. Carthage had not kept their
promise. Again. Rome still did not have their hands on Hannibal. This time,
the peace terms were more severe.
Terms:
 Carthage would leave Spain, Gaul, and Italy
 Carthage would reduce their navy to 10 warships
 Carthage had to pay 10000 talents (the money of the time) in war
damages, in 50 equal annual payments, over the next 50 years.
Carthage called it quits. They left Spain. They left Gaul. They left Italy.
They reduced their navy. They paid the talents they owed each year,
promptly. The 2nd Punic War was finally over. Rome had won.
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That did not stop Hannibal, though. Hannibal spent the rest of his life
fighting the growing power of ancient Rome. The Romans never stopped
looking for him. In spite of all their best efforts, the Romans did not catch
up with Hannibal until he was 64 years old! Even then, they didn’t get him. He
chose to die by swallowing the poison he kept in his ring.
Hannibal still ranks as one of the most magnificent military minds in
history and one of the world’s greatest generals.
Map Questions
1. Carthage is in North Africa. Why do you think Hannibal’s route of
Invasion surprised Rome
Questions
1. What was the outcome of the Second Punic War?
2. What was Hannibal’s plan?
3. Why do you think Rome made the terms of the peace so severe?
The Third Punic War (149 B.C.-146 B.C.)
In 146 B.C., Carthage again began to grow in strength and power. Rome
worried that they might again try to attack. In order to insure that this did
not happen, Rome decided to attack Carthage, and to wipe it off the face of
the Earth.
Roman armies took the war to the Carthage homeland where they sold
all the Carthaginians into slavery, and even went so far as to sow salt into
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their fields so that the area could never again be used for farming. This
ended the Punic Wars, and the threat that Carthage posed to Rome.
Questions
1. What was the outcome of the Third Punic War?
Ancient Rome VI >Republic Becomes to Empire
Objective- SWILLBAT list, explain and summarize the 3 major problems of the Roman Republic.
SWILLBAT
explain the significance of Julius Caesar. SWBAT assess how the triumvirate led to civil war and the death of the
republic.
6E.1.2 Explain how quality of life is impacted by economic choices of civilizations, societies and regions
6C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and structures of various governmental systems (e.g., democracy, absolute monarchy
and constitutional monarchy).
6C&G.1.4 Compare the role (e.g., maintain order and enforce societal values and beliefs) and evolution of laws and
legal systems (e.g., need for and changing nature of codified system of laws and punishment) in various civilizations,
societies and regions.
6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa
Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne and Qin Shi Huangdi
Failure of the Republic
After many years, the Roman Republic began to have problems. The
three biggest problems were high taxes, corruption and crime.
The Roman Republic taxed all of its citizens. A tax is money citizens
pay to the government. Rome needed tax money to pay soldiers, to build
roads, to build government buildings, to build sewers and aqueducts and to
run the government. Today our government uses tax money for these same
things. Tax collectors worked for the Roman governments. These were men
who collected the tax money. The problem was that there were very few
rules the tax collectors had to follow. Many of them were corrupt. A person
who is corrupt is someone who is dishonest and uses his power to do bad
things like steal money. The tax collectors often made people pay too much
money so they could keep the rest of it for themselves. People who could
not pay could be sold as slaves. The tax collectors were powerful but many
Romans did not like them and for good reason.
Many people within the Roman government became corrupt. Some
senators paid people to get them to vote for what they wanted. Some
elected officials took money. For example, a senator might have paid people
in the Assembly to vote for a new aqueduct that would bring water to his
neighborhood.
One of the biggest problems of the Republic toward the end was
crime. Lack of work led to crime. Farmers who were not enslaved were
often put out of business by the wealthy Roman citizens. These Romans who
took over the land of conquered people would run their farms using slave
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labor. Because these slaves did not have to be paid, these farms produced
grains that could be sold less expensively than other farmers could.
As small farms went out of business, people began to immigrate into the city
of Rome, crowding it with poor, out of work masses. The streets of Rome
were very dangerous. People were killed and things were stolen all over,
especially at night. Rich Romans hired guards to protect themselves. Some
senators even had small armies with them all the time. They protected him
and his home. But remember, most people of Rome were Plebeians. They
were not rich and could not afford private armies. Rome did not have a
police force to protect the people like we do today.
The turmoil caused by increasing poverty and corruption led to a
period of uncertainty. Several Roman leaders attempted to reform Rome by
ending corruption and providing land to the poor farmers. However, these
reformers were often murdered by members of the Senate who just wanted
to keep their own power. In 107 B.C., a general by the name of Gaius Marius
was elected as consul. Marius attempted to aid the poor by giving them jobs
in the Roman army. He paid them a salary, and promised them land when
their terms were completed. Allegiance was for the first time pledged to
military leaders instead of to the republic. In the end, the people of Rome
did not trust the Roman Republic. They wanted a change. The person who
brought them the change they wanted was named Julius Caesar, the most
famous of all Roman generals.
Essential Question- What were the three biggest problems of the Republic?
Explain each in detail.
Assignment: Write 7 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
Julius Caesar Brings Change
Julius Caesar is one of the most famous people in Roman history.
Julius Caesar was a politician and general in the army. Julius Caesar was
loved by the plebeians of Rome. He suggested new laws that helped the
common Roman citizen not just the wealthy patricians. When Caesar spoke,
the people of Rome filled the Roman Forum to listen to him. The people
trusted him. Crime was very high in Rome. There were not enough jobs.
People could not pay taxes because the taxes were so high. People were
hungry. There were no jobs because the wealthy Romans used their slaves
to do everything. Slaves took jobs away from Roman citizens. Caesar tried
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to solves these problems. The people of Rome were angry at the Senate but
not angry with Julius Caesar. Caesar was becoming very powerful. He took
his army and conquered the territory of Gaul (France) without permission
from the Senate. He gained territory for Rome and the people loved it.
Caesar increased his power and reputation by winning battles and treating
his army troops well.
One of the first laws of the Republic said that no general could enter
Rome with his army. The leaders of the Senate began to worry about
Caesar’s power. They were afraid Caesar was going to take over and rule as
a king. The Senate ordered Caesar to resign as a general because he fought
wars in Gaul without permission from the Senate. Julius Caesar ignored the
Senate and the law. He entered Rome in 49 B.C. with his army and began a
civil war in which he fought for control of the city. Caesar won and took
control over the Senate and government. He made the Senate appoint him
as dictator of Rome. The poor people were glad and they called him “Father
of the Homeland”. A dictator is someone who has total power over the
government. The Senate no longer held the power.
Caesar had plans to create a new government for Rome. He did not
trust the Senate to do what was best for Rome. He felt the Senators used
their own powers to make themselves rich. He thought the Senate did not
care to help the Roman people. Caesar was never able to complete his new
government plans.
On March 15, 44 B.C. Caesar walked into the Senate
building. A group of Senators stabbed him to death in the middle of the
Senate. Caesar had ruled as a dictator for only two years. The reign of
Julius Caesar is important because it signaled the end of the Roman Republic
and the beginning of the Roman Empire.
Essential Questions
1. Why was Julius Caesar popular with the Plebeians (common citizens)
2. What was Julius Caesar’s impact on the Roman Republic?
Assignment: Write 7 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
The Triumverate
The Senate believed Caesar was acting like a king. Rome had gotten
rid of its kings 500 years earlier and made the Republic. The Senate
believed the murder of Caesar was justified (right) because Caesar made
himself a king against the Republic. The Senate thought they would get
their power back by killing Caesar but they did not. Instead, Rome broke
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into civil war that lasted for 13 years. A civil war is when people from the
same country fight each other.
After the death of Julius Caesar, the Roman Empire was divided up
and ruled by three of Caesar's former generals. These generals were
Octavian, Marc Antony, and Marcus Lepidus. These three leaders formed
what they called the Triumvirate. Each member of the triumvirate had
absolute authority over matters that took place within their portion of the
empire.
This triumvirate did not last long. Octavian forced Lepidus to retire
from public life. Octavian then began planning a civil war against Marc
Antony. Antony fell in love with and married a princess from Egypt by the
name of Cleopatra. Octavian convinced the people that Marc Antony
intended to take over Rome, and put Egyptian rulers in charge of affairs in
the Roman Government. Octavian declared war against Antony in the name of
the Roman Republic. By 31 B.C., Octavian defeated Marc Antony in Greece.
In order to evade capture, Marc Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide.
Octavian was now the undisputed ruler of Rome. The republican
government, which had been designed to rule a small city-state, had not been
very effective at ruling the now massive Roman Empire. Rather than reform
the republican form of government that they practiced, Octavian
recommended to the Senate that one strong leader be put in place. The
Senate elected Octavian as the consul and supreme leader of Rome for life.
This leader was now known as the emperor.
The reign of Julius Caesar ended the Republic. Octavian ushered in
the beginning of a new chapter for Rome- The Roman Empire.
Essential Questions
1. What was the triumvirate?
2. What was the result of the Roman Civil War?
Assignment: Write 7 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
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Ancient Rome VII > The Roman Empire
Objective- SWILLBAT explain the significance of Augustus. SWILLBAT explain why the
Roman Empire expanded and how they were able to control large areas of land.
6H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions (e.g.,
Mongol invasion, The Crusades, the Peopling of the Americas and Alexander the Great).
. 6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa
Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne and Qin Shi Huangdi
6G.1.2 Explain the factors that influenced the movement of people, goods, and ideas and the effects of that
movement on societies and regions over time (e.g., scarcity of resources, conquests, desire for wealth, disease and
trade).
6C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and structures of various governmental systems (e.g., democracy, absolute monarchy
and constitutional monarchy).
Julius Caesar marked the death of the Roman Republic and the birth
of the Roman Empire. After Caesar was killed there was a civil war in Rome
about who would control Rome. The war lasted 13 years. In the end, the
nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar won the war. His name was
Octavian. Octavian became the first emperor of Rome. He had absolute
power. Octavian changed his name to Augustus when he became emperor.
Augustus ruled the Roman Empire for over 40 years. An empire is a country
that has power over many different territories.
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Augustus sent the Roman army to conquer new territories. The Roman
Empire got bigger. There many Roman Emporers after Augustus They also
expanded the Roman Empire.
Why did the Roman Empire need to expand and how did Rome control
all these different people?
Rome simply wanted more territory for
power. New territory meant more farmland and natural resources for Rome.
Rome had more people to trade with. Rome was able to control the new
territories they conquered because they often let the people have their
freedom as long as they followed the laws of Rome. They could be Roman
citizens as long as they agreed to follow and protect Rome. Romans built
roads, bridges aqueducts and all kinds of buildings in lands they conquered.
Aqueducts carried water to cities and towns from far away places. The
Roman army was all over the empire to keep control over the territories and
to protect the people. Rome improved the quality of life for many people.
This was how they were able to control the people they conquered.
Pax Romana
From 30 B.C. until A.D. 180 Rome enjoyed a period of peace and
prosperity. This time period is referred to by historians as the Pax Romana,
or Roman Peace. This 200 year period of peace and stability allowed the
Roman Empire to achieve new heights in technology, agriculture, science, and
the arts. The Roman Empire was a very civilized place during this time, and
life was generally comfortable and good. The Pax Romana meant the Romans
did not fight amongst themselves but they were constantly at war
conquering other peoples.
Essential Questions
1. Who was Augustus and why was he important?
2. How was the Roman Empire able to control the territories they
conquered?
3. What was the Pax Romana
Assignment: Write 7 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
The Julian Emperors
Following the death of Augustus Caesar, Rome was ruled by a
succession of four emperors referred to by historians as the Julian
Emperors. They are given this name due to the fact that each of these four
emperors was related in some way to Julius Caesar.
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The first of these emperors was Tiberius. Tiberius was Augustus' adopted
son and succeeded him to the throne. He was a cruel and jealous leader who
accused many innocent people of treason against him. Tiberius was
succeeded by is grand nephew Caligula. Caligula was mentally ill, and displayed
poor leadership as a result. He was eventually murdered by one of his own
guards. Caligula was followed by Claudius, who was an ineffective leader who
cared more about living a comfortably life than ruling an empire. Claudius was
followed to the thrown by Nero. Nero was a violent and cruel leader who
nearly bankrupt Rome through horse racing and music.
The Good Emperors
Following the Julian emperors, a series of generals backed by the
Roman Army ruled Rome for 28 years. Tired of violent or ineffective
leaders, the Roman Senate decided to take action. The Senate began to put
forward their own candidates for emperor. These emperors tended to be
fair, reasonable, and effective. They led Rome forward to a golden age, and
expanded the borders of the Roman Empire to the largest that they had
ever been. For these reasons, they were referred to as the good emperors.
Rome had many emperors. Here are some of the more famous emperors.
Augustus
Rome's first emperor. He added many territories to the empire.
Claudius
He conquered Britain.
Nero
He was insane (crazy, loco). He murdered his mother and his wife and threw
thousands of Christians to the lions.
Titus
Before he was emperor he destroyed the great Jewish temple of Solomon in
Jerusalem.
Trajan
He was a great conqueror. Under his rule the empire was the biggest.
Hadrian
He built 'Hadrian's Wall' in the north of Britain to protect the province
from the northern barbarians.
Diocletian
He split the empire into two pieces - a western and an eastern empire.
Constantine
He was the first Christian emperor. He united the empire again and chose his
capital to be the small town Byzantium not Rome. He renamed Byzantium and
called it Constantinople.
Romulus
Augustus
He was the last emperor of Rome nicknamed Augustus.
Justinian
He was the last great emperor. He conquered many territories and created
the “Justinian Code”.
Constantine
XI
The last emperor of Constantinople. He died defending his great city against
the Turks.
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Assignment: Answer these questions using the chart above.
1. Under which emperor was the empire the largest?
2. Which emperor killed many Christians by feeding them to the lions?
3. Which emperor built a wall in northern England?
4. Which emperor divided the Roman Empire in half?
5. Which emperor defeated Britain?
6. Name two emperors after Hadrian.
7. Name two emperors before Hadrian.
Ancient Rome VIII > Religion and the Rise of Christianity
Objective- SWILLBAT explain how Christianity differed from Roman religion. SWILLBAT
ID reasons why Rome eventually converted to Christianity.
6C.1.2 (12.01) Explain how religion transformed various societies, civilizations and regions (e.g., beliefs, practices
and spread of Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism).
6H.2.1 (7.01, 11.04, 13.01) Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations,
societies and regions (e.g., Mongol invasion, The Crusades, the Peopling of the Americas and Alexander the Great).
The ancient Romans were pagans. Pagans believe in many Gods. They
had gods for many different things. The Romans built huge temples to honor
and pray to their gods. Not all of the gods the Romans worshiped were
originally Roman gods. As the Romans conquered new areas they learned
about new gods and incorporated them into their religion. In fact, most
Roman gods were borrowed from the Greeks. The Romans just changed the
names of the Greek Gods to Roman names. For example Zeus was renamed
Jupiter by the Romans as the king of all gods. Here are some others:
Neptune/Poseidon
God of the Sea
Jupiter/Zeus
God of the Sky
Pluto/Hades
God of the Underworld
Around the time of the first emperor Augustus a new religion from
the Middle East began to spread around Europe. It was called Christianity.
People who believed in the religion were Christians. Christians believed
there was only one god not many gods. The Christians did not want to
worship the Roman gods. In Rome it was against the law to refuse to
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recognize the Roman gods. As a result, the Christians were put in jail, sold
as slaves or even killed. These punishments did not work. More and more
Roman people became Christians, especially poor people.
Christianity
appealed to poor people for two important reasons:


Life After Death: Christianity promised life after death in heaven.
In the Roman religion, only gods went to heaven. Emperors were
considered gods. Everyone else went to the underworld. Where would
you rather go, up to heaven or below the earth?
Equality: Christianity promised equal opportunity. Everyone was the
same. In Rome, you had to be born into the nobility. You could join
Christianity and be equally a Christian.
Eventually, Christianity was accepted by all of Rome. In around the year
A.D. 312, Christianity became the official religion of Rome instead of the old
pagan religion. At the time, Constantine was the emperor of Rome.
Constantine believed he saw a vision of a cross high in the sky. The cross
was the symbol for Christianity. Constantine believed it was a message from
God. Constantine became a Christian and said all of Rome was now Christian
also.
Essential Questions
1. How was Christianity different from Roman religion?
2. Why did Christianity appeal to the Roman people?
3. Who was Constantine and why was he important?
Assignment: Write 7 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
Ancient Rome IX > The Roman Empire Splits in Two
Objective- SWILLBAT explain why the Roman Empire was divided in two by Diocletian.
6H.2.2 Compare historical and contemporary events and issues to understand continuity and change.
6H.2.4 Explain the role that key historical figures and cultural groups had in transforming society (e.g., Mansa
Musa, Confucius, Charlemagne and Qin Shi Huangdi
Rome continued to expand its empire after the first emperor
Augustus. Every time Rome won new territory it built roads to connect all of
its territories to Rome. The Roman Empire became HUGE, GIGANTIC,
ENORMOUS. It covered almost all of Europe, Northern Africa and part of
Asia.
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In fact, Rome became too big to govern. Even in today’s times with modern
transportation and communication, Rome would be difficult to govern. Can
you imagine what is what like without phones, cars, planes, etc? It took
months to get messages to far away Roman territories. It was difficult
collect taxes. It was difficult to get supplies to far away places.
In A.D. 284, Diocletian became emperor. He realized the empire was
too large. Diocletian decided to divide the Roman Empire in half. There
were two Roman Empires. There was the Western Roman Empire and the
Eastern Roman Empire. Each empire had a ruler but the ruler from Rome
still had the most power. The Western Roman Empire included Rome, most
of Europe and North Africa. The Eastern Roman Empire included Turkey
and Asia. Diocletian left Rome and ruled the Eastern Empire.
Essential Questions
1. Why did Diocletian divide the Roman Empire in half?
2. What were the two halves called and what did they include?
Assignment: Write 7 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
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Ancient Rome X > The Roman Empire Falls Apart
Objective- SWILLBAT explain why the Roman Empire fell to the barbarians. SWILLBAT
name the barbarian tribe invasions.
6H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies and regions (e.g.,
Mongol invasion, The Crusades, the Peopling of the Americas and Alexander the Great).
6E.1.2 Explain how quality of life is impacted by economic choices of civilizations, societies and regions
In the end, the Roman Empire was still too large. The Western Roman
Empire did not survive. There were too many borders to protect. The army
simply was not large enough to protect everywhere. The Western Roman
Empire was out of money. Rome spent all of its money on wars. There was no
money to fix roads or to buy food and supplies for all the Roman people.
Once again, there was crime and corruption.
In the end, the barbarians defeated the Western Roman Empire. In
ancient Rome, a barbarian was someone who lived outside the Roman Empire.
Barbarians were people who did not speak Latin. In reality, the barbarians
were tribes of people with different customs and languages. They came
from other areas of Europe and Asia usually because they had to move out
of their homeland to escape war or to search for food.
There were five main barbarian tribes in Europe. Each wanted to
conquer the famous Roman Empire. These tribes were the Huns, Franks,
Vandals, Saxons, and Visigoths. They were all attacking various pieces of the
Western Roman Empire at the same time. Forts and strongholds along the
road were destroyed. Cities at the edge of the empire were attacked and
destroyed. Barbarians often raided food and supply wagons that were
supposed to go to Roman citizens. The empire did not fall in just a few
years. It slowly fell apart over many years.
Roman emperors often tried to get the barbarian tribes to fight each
other by promising them land, food and protection. Emperor Valens allowed
the Visigoths to live in the Danube Region (Germany) as long as they helped
fight other tribes. The Roman emperors did not keep their promises of
providing food and shelter to the barbarian tribes. This angered tribes like
the Visigoths and made things worse for Rome. Tribes like the Visigoths
rebelled and fought against Rome instead.
In the end, the Visigoths
invaded and defeated Rome. The Western Roman Empire finally fell in 476
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AD. The Eastern Roman Empire in Constantinople survived another thousand
years.
Essential Questions
1. Name the barbarian tribes that invaded the Roman Empire. Which
tribe did Rome fall to in 476 A.D.
2. Why did the Roman Empire fall to the barbarians? (diagram/map the
reasons)
Assignment: Write 7 questions and answers. Your questions must be
information questions. They must begin with a “Wh” word.
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