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ROME GEOGRAPHY EARLY SETTTLERS REPUBLIC

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The Role of Geography in Ancient Rome

The Role of Geography in Ancient RomeMountains: Two Major Ranges - Alps and Apennines impact Italy1. Alps to the north separate Italy from the rest of Europe. They offer somebut not total protection from invasion because of natural passes.2. Apennines run the length of Italy but do not hinder trade or travel.Effects:Trade and contact with other civilizations was possible but invasion was also aconstant threat, thus a strong military developed.

The Role of Geography in Ancient RomeSeas: Adriatic Sea lies to the East and Mediterranean to south andwest1.2.Long coastlines with fewer natural harbors than Greece.Rivers are generally short and shallow. Poorly suited for travel and transportation.Effects: People turned inland for trade rather than to the sea as the Greeks had. The long coastlines made invasion easier.

The Role of Geography in Ancient RomeLand, Soil and Vegetation: Most of land is foothills and mountains except in thevalleys of the north.1. Most soil is sandy and easily erodes. Best suited for grazing.2. Northern valleys are fertile enough for grains.3. Most other areas are good for vegetable, grapes, olives, and citrus fruits.Effects: The Romans were mostly self-sufficient in early history but turned to tradeto supplement food supply as empire grew.

The Role of Geography in Ancient RomeClimate: Mediterranean Climate1.2.Mild temperatures and plentiful winter precipitation.Suitable for citrus, grapes, olives, and vegetables.Effects: Like the Greeks, Romans spent much time outdoors socializing and trading ideas. Citrus, grapes, and olives were major exports for trade.

Italy in 750 BCThree Groups of EarlySettlers in ItalyLatins – 1000 B.C.Etruscans – 900 B.C.Greeks – 750 B.C.

Early Rome Before the Republic1. The Latins and Etruscans began to merge andbecame known as Romans.2. Around 600 B.C. an Etruscan was elected king ofRome and established the Tarquin dynasty.3. Rome began emerging into a major city withimpressive engineering and architecture.4. Great temples and the forum were built during thistime.5. In 509 B.C. a harsh and unjust Tarquin king wasoverthrown by the Romans. The Romans declaredthey would never again be ruled by a king.6. The Romans established a republic that would lastfor nearly 500 years. This began Rome’s climb toglory and world prestige.

ANCIENT ROMAN HISTORY – THE REPUBLICNeolithic Culture3000 BCLatin SettlementEtruscan SettlementGreek ColonizationEtruscan Rule of RomeEstablishment of the Republic1000 BC900 BC750 BC600 BC509 BC264 BCPunic Wars146 BCSpartacus Slave RevoltsFirst Triumvirate FormedAssassination of Julius Caesar73 BC60 BC44 BC

Patricians(Aristocrats)Plebeians Farmers Merchants ArtisansFreedmenSlaves City Slaves Household Slaves(Early Republic)

Patriciansvs.Plebeians1. The Patricians were wealthylandowners and held most of thepower.2. They inherited their power andsocial status and claimed to bedescendants from the originalRomans.

Patricians vs. Plebeians3. Plebeians were the commonpeople and made up themajority of Romans.4. Plebeians were citizens, couldvote but couldn’t hold powerfulgovernment office.5. Eventually Plebeians gained theright to appoint tribunes toprotect their rights.6. Around 450 B.C. the Plebeiansbegan writing down Rome’slaws and posting them. Thesewere known as the TwelveTables.

The Twelve Tables, 450 BCE Provided political and socialrights for the plebeians. Established the idea that all freecitizens had a right to protection bythe law.

Roman Expansion(133 BC - 27 BC) Conquered territories became known asProvinces Provinces were ruled by governors known asProconsuls who were appointed by the Senateand had great power Tax collectors known as Publicans collectedheavy taxes from provinces. They collectedmore than required and kept the excess. Thiscorrupt practice was known as Tax Farming

Problems of Roman ExpansionEconomic Turmoil Soldiers often returned home to desolated farms, wereforced to sell to nobles and move to the city in search ofwork. Nobles began using slaves rather than paid workers andthe gap between rich and poor widened. Slums began to develop in the cities. The government had to begin a welfare system andentertainment to keep the poor and unemployed content. Corruption by officials in Roman provinces increasedand bribery became common.

Problems of Roman ExpansionChanges in the Roman Military With the disappearance of the small farmer, thenature of the army began to change Individual commanders began building their ownarmies and paid mercenaries Soldiers were promised a share of the booty andland in return for service Soldiers were loyal to commanders rather thanRome

Attempts at Reform Two brothers, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus wereelected as Tribunes and attempted reforms to helpthe poor Tiberius was assassinated by several senators in133 BC Gaius continued to work on reforms andattempted to limit power of the Senate. He waskilled in a riot. Rome fell into disarray. Civil War followed.

Civil War Mariusvs. SullaMariusSulla Civil war broke out in Rome between 88 – 82 BC between tworival generals, Marius and Sulla. Thousands of Romans died in the war. Sulla defeated Marius and became a dictator. He retired in 79BC Slave revolts led by Spartacus broke out from 73-71 BC. Newmilitary leaders struggled for power.

The First Triumvirate After the slave revolts three generals, Crassus, Pompey, andJulius Caesar tried to gain power. When none of them could do so they joined together as atriumvirate to rule. Crassus was killed in battle in Syria. Caesar and Pompey eventually fought for power. Pompeyfled and was eventually killed in Egypt. Caesar became the sole ruler in 45 BC.POMPEYCRASSUSCAESAR

Julius CaesarAfter Pompey fled Rome Caesar seized power inRome and attempted to save the republic throughseveral reforms. Gave land, money and food to the poor. Increased the Senate membership and allowed ordinarycitizens to serve in it. Expanded citizenship to people in the provinces. Began numerous public works programs to put peopleto work.

Beware the Ides of March!44 BCOn March 15, 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated by severalmembers of the Senate who opposed his reforms andfeared that he was too powerful.

The Second Triumvirate After the assassination of Caesar, three leaders, MarcAntony, Lepidus, and Caesar’s great nephew Octavianformed the second Triumvirate.Lepidus eventually retired.Octavian defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra of Egypt in31 BC in the Battle of Actium and became sole ruler.In 27 BC he was named Emperor and became known asAugustus Caesar. This began the Roman Empire.OctavianMarc AntonyLepidus

ANCIENT ROMAN HISTORY – THE EMPIREDeath of AugustusCrucifixion of JesusEnd of Pax RomanaDivision of the EmpireEstablishment of ConstantinopleChristianity Becomes Official ReligionFall of Western Roman Empire43 BC31 BC27 BCThe EmpireSecond Triumvirate FormedRule of Augustus Caesar BeginsEstablishment of the EmpireBirth of Jesus1 AD14 AD30 AD180 AD284 AD330 AD380 AD476 AD

rival generals, Marius and Sulla. Thousands of Romans died in the war. Sulla defeated Marius and became a dictator. He retired in 79 BC Slave revolts led by Spartacus broke out from 73-71 BC. New military leaders struggled for power. Civil War Marius vs. Sulla Marius Sulla