Wed. October 10, 2012

[5th James O.]

Roman Geography • Rome was built on 7 rolling hills around the Tiber River, near the center of the Italian peninsula • It is the midway point between the Alps and Italy southern trip First Romans • From 1000 to 500 BC three groups inhabited the region and fought for control of it • Latins, Greeks, and Etruscans • Latins built original settlement at Rome. It was a cluster of wooden huts on the top of pone the seven hills Greek Influence • Between 750 BC and 600 BC 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 • They were native to northern Italy • They were skilled metal workers and engineers • They were very influential in the development of Roman civilizations • Romans adopted the alphabet and architecture , Republic- is a form of government in which the powers rests within the citizens to vote their leaders • In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was granted only to free born adult males landowners. • Patricians- the wealthy landowners who held most of the power. • Plebeians the common person but could still vote. Usually farmers and merchants • (Both were from Rome in the republic) • Patricians inherited their power and social status and claimed that they had the right to rule due to their ancestry. • They barred the Plebeians from holding high offices in the government In time the leaders of Rome allowed the Plebeian to form their own assembly and elect their own representatives to protect their rights form the Patricians officials, they called this the Tribunes. Roman Government Executive Branch • Two consuls vs one president • 1 year vs 4 year Legislative Branch • Senate • High social and economic status • Serve for life • Advise consuls • Centuriate Assembly • Soldiers only • Chose consuls • Serve for life. Tribal Assembly • Ordinary citizens • Serve for life • Makes laws Judicial • 8 judges • 1 year by the Centuriate Assembly • Two oversee civil and criminal courts (the other goven policies Legal Code • Twelve Tables- list of rules that was the Supreme law of the land in Rome (like US Constitution Army • Like government, the Romans also took great pride in the military as well • All men who owned land were required to serve 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 • Made up of 5,000 foot soldiers • A group of cavalry would support each legion • The military organization and fighting skill of the Romans army was a key factor in Rome's rise to greatness. Expansion • By the fourth century BC the Romans dominated central Italy • The 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 Punic Wars The Punic Wars were intense against the Romans and Carthage from 264 BC to 146 BC. At the time, the Roman Republic was expanding and the Carthage Empire had a strong navy. Rome was lacking the ports to become the huge super power they will become. With a growing navy, Rome ended up winning the 1st Punic War. The second was started by Hannibal. Hannibal attacked Saguntun, which was a city allied to Rome. The second war is known for when Hannibal crossed the Alps. Rome's allies were never broke from Rome. Rome won the second war. In the third war, Rome was the attacker and ended the war when they defeated the Carthage in the capital city. The effects of the Roman victory was Rome controlling the Mediterranean including North Africa, Sicily, and Spain. Hannibal He was the military commander of Carthage. He was defeated in the Punic Wars. He was a key player in the second Punic War. He committed suicide by drinking poison. Punic Wars 3 wars Rome vs Cartage 1st control of Sicily. 2nd Hannibal went in the Alps. Used elephant warfare. 3rd Scipio attacked Carthage and Hannibal retreated and fought back at native city. Rome won all three wars. Each one was harder than the last War 1-2 Rome was on the defensive Aggressor in the last Key players Hannibal(c) Scipio (R) and Cincinnatus (R) Lasting effects Rome showed the civilizations in the Mediterranean that they were a dominate force. By 70 BC, Rome had conquered a lot of land around the Mediterranean coast. Roman Republic Shortly after the victories i nthe Punic wars, the quick and rapid expansion began to hurt the empire The land was going to large estate and the small farms were not making any money and out of jobs One of the leading reasons to a civil war After Julius Caesar's death, another civil war broke out 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- 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 AD Pax Romana= Roman Peace Hannibal crossing the Alps • One of the greatest military achievements of ancient warfare • Happened in the Second Punic War • Took 16 days to cross • Many elephants did not survive the journey (only 2) Why? • Thought it could be a better chance against the Romans if he came down with all of his war elephants. • The wars were fought over pure hatred by on side against the other. Hannibal’s decision was not a good one. He lost more than he gained. He lost elephants, men, and later the war. Roman Trade • Very vital to empire • Beef, corn glassware, iron, lead, leather, marble, olive oil. Perfumes, silk, spices, and wine • Main trading partners: Spain, France, middle East, and North Africa • Made trade very simple by only using 1 form of currency • They used the Tiber River, Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea • Two way trade routes extended to other commercial centers in lands as far away as Egypt, Germany, and China • The Empire’s location around the Med, Sea helped make all commercial activity possible Location is key to trade. Being by a river and a sea, Rome could trade easily. With trade, Rome gained wealth and a strong navy. With a strong Navy, Rome could be protected and continue to trade. Roman Agriculture • Used crop rotation • Sometimes had to import food because of mountains • After conquering Egypt, able to import a lot of wheat • Most of the crops raised on large estates called latifundias • Cierco considered farming the best of all Roman occupations • The main crop was wheat • N • N • Farmers created main source of income for Romans • Certain types of food were given out to the public for free ie. Corn and wheat • Since Roman Empire stretched through a lot of land, there were different climates to allow a mixture of crops produced • Romans had 4 systems of farm management and work done by owner and family, tenant farming and shared cropping forced labor slaves and other arrangements in which farm owners lended farm out. I would rather be a free man that owned a small farm. A small farm could be becoming a larger farm. • Romans dependent on slaves • Most slaves were foreigners and unlike most places didn’t care about race • Children were sold into slavery • Freed, they could work the same jobs as the Plebeians • Debt slavery was common, where a person could work off a debt by becoming a slace foat a certain period of time. • Some became gladiators • Saturnalia- a Christmas for slaves in which the slaves and masters switched places • Slave holders showed appreciation to the slaves • Manual Labor • Domestic services • Could be skilled and teach school and be physicians • Slaves task include working on farms • Produce food and materials the cities needed • Business managed shops for store owners in charge of shop keeping lending and selling of merchandise • Public buildings work on aqueduct systems and built road and bridged and areas. I still wanted to be free and could take care of myself. I could manage. Who even wants the title of a slave? Gladiators • Gladiator games were games fought between criminals and an armed man, wild animal, or other soldier • Fought in Coliseum in front of large crowds • Dressed up Gladiators Gladiator Games • Thumbs up means save the gladiator that’s down and thumbs down means let him die • Animal hunts- They had a scene and the Emperor would use a bow from his box seat and shoot them. • The Besiarii- these were gladiators trained to fight tigers and lions • Criminals were sentences to fight wild beasts at the games but without any skills, weapons or armor I probably would risk the Gladiator Games. The Emperor could make a worse death if you could not want to fight. Emperors • Tiberius- adopted son of Augustus- 22 years old and 6 months- possible assassinated Caligula; He was cruel tyrant who put men to death upon mere suspicion • Caligula- great nephew of Tiberius- 3 years and 10 months- assassinated in conspiracy involving senators and Praetorian guards • He was insane • Marched army to pick up sea shells • Claudius I- nephew of Tiberius and uncle of Caligula- 13 years and 9 months- poisoned by wife • Week and foolish emperor who allowed the cruelest acts to be committed in his name, and then forgot hem, and invited the persons to dinner whom he had just had put to death. • Nero- 13 years and 8 months stepson and adopted son of Claudius • Monster of vanity and cruelty. Burned city and rebuilt it to be better. Christianity • Religion has always played a large role in Roman society • However the polytheistic system was very impersonal • Jesus of Nazareth • Messiah or savior of Christians • Born in Bethlehem in Judea • Baptized by John the Baptist • carpentry • 30 years took up ministry • He preached, miracles, and good deeds Historical records of the time mentions little about Jesus • Main source of information about his main teachings are the Gospels • These gospels were written by his disciples or pupils called apostles. • Jesus was growing in popularity concerned Roman and Jewish • Pontius Pilate accused Jesus of defying the Roman authorities • Died on a wooden cross • After Jesus’s death, continuations of the spread of Christianity happened even with political and religious Paul- influenced the spreading • Once a Jew and against Christianity • Spoke and traveled Rome because of the Pax Romana. Beliefs • Christian- belief the Jesus is the Messiah • Acceptance of Gentiles and Jews a like • Jewish- belief that Jews are the chosen people. • Both believe in one God and the 10 commandments • Pope – bishops- priests- people Persecution of Christians • Because of not worshiping Roman gods • Pax Romana began to fall, persecution increased • Thousands were crucified, burned, of killed by wild animals • Martyrs- were people willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of a belief or cause Popularity • Became a world religion because: • Embraced all people • Gave hop to the powerless • Appealed to those who were repelled by the extravagances of imperial Rome • Offered personal relationship with God and promised eternal life. Constantine Accepting Christianity • Was fighting over the leadership of Rome • Prayed to the Christian God • Ordered artisans to paint the Christian symbol on the shields • Successful battle and accepted Christianity Attila the Hun