Download Chapter 11 Rome: Republic to Empire Lesson 1: The Founding of

Chapter 11 Rome: Republic to Empire
Lesson 1: The Founding of Rome
I. The Beginning of Rome
A. Geography
1) Italy is a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea and is shaped like a boot: the heel points toward Greece.
The toe points toward the island of Sicily.
2) The Alps cross the top of Italy and separate it from the rest of Europe.
3) Rome’s location was conducive in promoting trade and interaction with other lands and the eventual
conquest of those lands.
4) Rome’s narrow, peninsular configuration limited the ability of opposing land forces to operate and the
Mediterranean Sea provided an effective buffer against invasion.
5) Italy has a mild climate, rich soil, and large, flat plains that make good farmland.
6) Rome was built along the Tiber River about 15 miles from the Mediterranean Sea.
7) The river could be used for fresh water, transportation, and the shipping of goods; and its location meant
that sea-going pirates could not attack the city.
8) Rome's geography was a critical component in its security, because the Alps Mountains provided
protection from the north.
B. Early Settlers
1) Passes, which run through the mountains, helped link people from different parts of early Italy; they
could trade ideas and goods with each other.
2) Between 2000 B.C. and 1000 B.C., groups of people settled in the hills and on the plains; these people
included the Latins , who tended herds and grew crops on Rome’s hills. Their community developed into
Rome.
3) The people living there became known as the Romans.
II. The Greeks and Etruscans
A. The Greeks
1) Roman history does not just involve the Latins. Around 800 B.C. the Greeks and the
Etruscans came to Italy.
2) The Greeks built many colonies in Italy between 750 B.C. and 500 B.C. and taught the Romans how to
grow olives and grapes and to use the Greek alphabet. The Romans also copied Greek sculpture and
other art.
3) Greek influences on Rome: Growing olives and grapes, the alphabet, and art.
B. The Etruscans
1) The role of the Etruscans in the early development of Roman government is very important. The
Etruscans came from the area north of Rome.
2) After conquering the village of Rome, the wealthy Etruscan family, known as the Tarquins, established a
monarchy (undivided rule by a single person) that reigned over it for more than a century. Under Tarquin
rule, Rome began to grow in wealth and power.
3) Many Etruscans were rich miners and traders; others were devoted to art, and created jewelry, tools,
and weapons.
4) The Etruscans taught the Romans how to build temples, streets, and public squares.
5) The Etruscans introduced togas and short cloaks: a toga is like a sheet wrapped around your body, with
one end over your shoulder.
6) The Etruscans showed the Romans how an army could be more effective.
7) Etruscan influences on Rome were: buildings, roads, clothing, and an army.
III. Becoming a Republic
A. The Change from Monarchy
1) The Etruscans ruled Rome for more than 100 years.
2) The people benefited from Etruscan culture and ideas, but they got tired of Etruscan rulers.
3) Eventually the Romans rebelled and overthrew their king because of increasingly cruel treatment of the
people.
4) In place of a monarchy, the Romans established a republic in 509 B.C.
5) A republic is a form of government in which citizens elect their leaders.
6) Rome was still a small city when it became a republic, and had enemies all around it.
7) Over the next 200 years, Rome fought many wars, and by 267 B.C., the Romans had taken over the Greek
colonies in what is now known as Italy. By then, the Romans ruled almost the entire Italian peninsula.
B. The Roman Army Maintains Control
1) The Roman Republic grew because of its strong army, as Roman soldiers were well trained.
2) At the beginning of the republic, every male citizen who owned land had to join the army. Men who ran
away, or deserted the army, were killed. This turned Romans into loyal fighters.
3) The Romans also thought of a better way to organize their army-instead of using a phalanx. Instead, the
Roman generals divided their armies into groups of soldiers called legions.
4) Each legion had about 6,000 men. Legions were broken into even smaller groups of 60 or 120 men.
5) These small groups could move very quickly in battle.
6) Roman soldiers used a short sword called a gladius and an iron spear called a pilum.
7) Each group also had a standard. A standard was a tall pole with a symbol on top—sometimes an eagle or
other animal.
8) One soldier would hold up the standard so others could see it. This helped the group stay together during
battle.
9) They built military towns in every region they conquered. Then they built roads between these towns.
The Romans learned how to build structures that carried flowing water to cities, called aqueducts that
were designed to supply fresh water to cities. Many aqueducts and roads built by the Romans are still
functional today, a testament to their engineering expertise. Also, the Romans used arches in their
buildings, bridges, and aqueducts.
10) Soon their armies could travel quickly across the land. The Romans believed they needed to treat
conquered people fairly, and they stressed that people would become loyal to Rome.
C. The Republic Expands
1) The Romans created the Roman Confederation. It gave some conquered people full Roman citizenship:
they could vote and be in the government.
2) The Romans made other people allies: allies could run their own towns, but they had to pay taxes to
Rome. Allies also had to fight in Rome’s armies. With these procedures, the Romans hoped to keep
peace.
3) The Roman republic grew stronger and lasted almost five hundred years, during which time it continued
to grow more powerful through extensive trade and conquest.
4) The combination of these political and cultural features allowed Rome to enjoy a time of peace,
prosperity, and expansion culminating in the Pax Romana, or “Roman Peace.”