Notes:
Roman Geography:
- Rome was built on 7 rolling hills around the Tiber River, near the center of the Italian peninsula
- is the midway point between the Alps and Italy's southern tip
First Romans:
- from 1000 to 500 B.C three groups inhabited the region and fought for control of it
- were Latins, Greeks, and Etruscans
- Latins built the original settlement at Rome. It was a cluster of wooden huts on top of one of the seven hils
Greek influence:
- between 750 B.C and 600 B.C the Greeks established colonies along the southern part of Italy and Sicily
- the Cities became very prosperous and commercially active
- they brought all of italy, including Rome, into closer contact with Greek Civilization
Etruscans:
- were native to northern italy
- were skilled metal workers and engineers
- were very influential in the development of Roman civilization
- Romans adopted their alphabet
- also adopted some of their architecture, especially the arch
Republic: is a form of government in which the power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders
- in Rome, citizenship with voting rights was granted only to free-born adult male landowners
Patricians: the wealthy landowners who held most of the power
Plebeians: the common person, but could still vote. Usually farmers and merchants
- in the early republic, different groups of Romans struggled for power
- the Patricians inherited their power and social status, and claimed that they had the right to rule due to their ancestry
- the barred the Plebeians from holding high offices in the government
- in time, the leaders of Rome, allowed the Plebeians to form their own assembly and elect their own representative to protect their rights from the Patrician officials, they called this their tribunes
Executive Branch:
- two councils vs one president
- 1 year term vs 4 year term
Legislative:
Senate-
- high social and economic status
- serve for life
- advised consuls
- Centuriate Assembly
soldiers only
chose consuls
served for life
- Tribal assembly
ordinary citizens
serve for life
makes laws
Judicial:
- 8 judges
- 1 year by the centuriate assebmly
- two oversee civil and criminal courts (the others govern provinces)
Legal Code:
- Twelve Tables
- this was a list of rules that was the Supreme law of the land in Rome
- in America, this is equal to the constitution
Army:
- along with their government, the Romans also took great pride in their military as well
- all men who owned land were required to serve in the army
- some of the high public office positions required 10 years of military service
Legions:
- the Roman soldiers were organized into large military units called legions
- Legions were made up of 5,000 foot soldiers
- a group of cavalry would support each legion
- the military organization and fighting skill of the Roman army were key factors in Rome's rise to greatness
Expansion:
- by fourth century B.C., the Romans dominated entral Italy
- they had defeated the Etruscans to the north and the Greek city-states to the south
Treatment:
- Latins on the Tiber became full citizens
- in territory farther from Rome, the conquered people were citizens as well but didn't have voting power
- the remaining people became "allies" of Rome
Research:
Punic Wars and Hannibal
-Who fought in the war, key players, who won the war, lasting effects of the wars: how it affected the Romans and Carthage
Punic Wars:
- series of 3 wars
- Rome vs Carthage
- 1st war was over control of Sicily
- 2nd war was when Hannibal became general of Carthage and he wanted to avenge first defeat. Hannibal attempted a sneak attack through the alps to attack and capture Rome
- 3rd war - Scipio attacked Carthage and Hannibal retreated and fought back at native city
P.W.
- Rome defeated Carthage in all 3 of the wars. Each war was harder for the Romans to with though
- war 1-2, Rome was on the defensive. Aggressor in the last war
- Key Players: Hannibal (C) Scipio (R) Cincinnatus (R)
Lasting Effects:
- showed the civilizations in the Mediterranean that Rome was a dominant force
- by 70 B.C., Rome had conquered a lot of land around the Mediterranean coast
Roman Republic:
- shortly after their victories in the Punic Wars, the quick and rapid expansion began to hurt the empire
- the land was going to large estate and the small farmers were not making any money and were out of jobs
- one of the reasons leading to a civil war
Julius Caesar:
- another civil war broke out because of Caesar's death
Avengers of Caesar:
- Octavian, Mark Antony, Lepidus avenged Caesar and became the 2nd triumvirate
- even jealousy here, Octavian forced Lepidus to retire his power
- Mark Antony fell in love with Cleopatra and followed her to Egypt
- Leaving Octavian to be the sole leader
Augustus:
- the term given to Octavian meaning "exalted one"
- Rome was at the peak of its power and at peace throughout Augustus's Rule and even to 180 A.D.
- Pax Romana - Roman Peace
Research:
- Agricultural
Comments