Chapter 8 Part 1: Rome S Beginnings

Chapter 8 part 1: Rome’s Beginnings I. The Origins of Rome -Italy- boot shaped, Mediterranean, toe points to Sicily -Alps- northern border; Apennines through Italy from north to south -terrain easier to farm than Greece, support more people -Latins built Rome on plain of Latium -Rome- central Italy, on Tiber River -2 stories tell Rome’s beginning: legend of Remus & Romulus & tale of Aeneas & Trojan followers -Greeks & Etruscans influenced Roman way of life -Etruscans- skilled metal workers, model for Roman army II. The Birth of a Republic -Tarquins- leaders of Etruscan-ruled Rome, 100 yrs. of rule, Romans rebelled -Romans established republic -Rome- large powerful army: excellent, disciplined soldiers -roads connected military settlements -Roman Confederation- full citizenship to some people: vote & serve in gov’t -allies- could rule their own local affairs Chapter 8 Part 2: The Roman Republic I. Rome’s Government -patricians & plebians- 2 classes of people -consuls- top gov’t officials; praetors- gov’t officials; Senate most important lawmaking body; Assembly of Centuries- legislative body -Plebeians challenged class system by strike; Romans then allowed them to set up their own legislative group call the Council of the Plebes -dictator- today: oppressive ruler; in Roman Republic- served the people & ruled temporarily during emergencies -Cincinnatus- best-known early Roman dictator, led army of men to defeat powerful enemy -The Twelve Tables- first code of law, basis of future laws. -Law of Nations- address issues of conquered people -rule of law- laws should apply to everyone equally II. Rome Expands -Carthage- state on coast of North Africa- powerful enemy -First Punic War- began as dispute between Rome and Carthage over the island of Sicily; 20 year war; Rome won -Second Punic War- began after Carthage expanded into Spain, Rome helped people of Spain rebel -Hannibal- Carthaginian general; fought in Second Punic War -Battle of Cannae- Hannibal’s forces overpowered the Romans -Roman general Scipio led his forces to defeat the Carthaginians at Battle of Zama -Rome destroyed Carthage in Third Punic War -took all of Greece & Macedonia & parts of Africa during Punic Wars Chapter 8 part 3: The Fall of the Republic I. Trouble in the Republic -gap between rich patricians and poor plebeians grew- farmers suffered -Latifunda- large farming estates created when wealthy Romans bought small farms -farmers whose land had been bought traveled to cities to find jobs -Tiberius & Gaius Gracchus- wealthy brothers, tried to reform gov’t; killed -Marius- former military leader, appointed counsel, promised land to poor men if they became soldiers -Sulla drove Marius out of Rome; declared himself dictator, spent 3 yrs. reforming gov’t b/4 resigning from office II. Julius Caesar -Julius Caesar, Crassus, & Pompey formed triumvirate after Sulla left office -Caesar marched to Rome & defeated Ponpey’s forces after Crassus died in battle -declared self dictator of Rome for life; made many changes -Julian calendar- changed slightly in A.D. 1582, but basically still used today -many enemies as well as supporters -“Ides of March”- enemies killed him on March 15 III. Rome Becomes an Empire -Octavian- Caesar’s grandnephew, inherited wealth -Antony & Lepidus- 2 of Caesar’s top generals -Octavian, Antony, & Lepidus formed Second Triumvirate- quarreling began -Antony fell in love with Cleopatra VII and formed alliance with her; Octavian declared war on Antony to keep him from taking over republic -Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra’s forces at Battle of Actium -Cicero was political leader, writer, & public speaker who favored representative gov’t & supported Octavian -Octavian restored the republic with some reforms & took title Augustus (“revered one”); began Roman Empire Chapter 8 part 4: The Early Empire I. The Emperor Augustus -Pax Romana- long era of peace that began with Augustus -built permanent, professional army & created special guard called Praetorian Guard (to guard him) -restored Rome’s splendor & fed hungry poor with imported grain -appointed a proconsul (governor) for each province, replacing politicians appointed by Senate -made tax collectors permanent workers -create set of laws for people who were not citizens -Julio-Claudian emperors were rulers who followed Augustus: Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero; Caligula & Nero were cruel leaders; Tiberius & Claudius were competent rulers II. Unity and Properity -Vespasian resotred order to Rome after the chaos following Nero’s death -Jewish temple in Jerusalem destroyed by Vespasian’s armies to put down rebellion -Mount Vesuvius erupted & destroyed city of Pompeii in A.C. 79 -Roman empire flourished under rule of: Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, & Marcus Aurelius -Aqueducts- created during prosperous times of good emperors -Roman Empire- one of largest in history; people united by law, Roman rule, & shared identity as Romans -most people farmers: grew olives, grapes, & grain; others artisans who traded within & outside Empire -Roads and currency- prosperous trade -gap between rich merchants, shopkeepers, & skilled workers and poor farmers and city dwellers