The Artios Home Companion Series Unit 23: Roman Hegemony Teacher Overvie w As the Greek civilization faded away, a new nation stepped into the spotlight. Influenced heavily by the Greeks, the Romans also sought to have a democratic society. They also had a polytheistic society and had many myths and legends that were part of their history. The Romans built an empire of gigantic proportions. At its height, it encompassed nearly the entire European continent as well as parts of the Middle East and Africa. The Roman Empire’s tentacles stretched from England to Egypt, from Spain to Iraq, and from southern Russia to Morocco. More significantly, ancient Roman civilization thrived for nearly one thousand years. The influence of the Romans over all of those peoples over that span of time defies measure. After adopting Christianity in the 4th century A.D., the Romans spread it to every corner of their empire. They also brought their brand of law and order to all of the territories that they conquered. Latin, the language of the Romans, became the basis for several modern European languages, including Italian, French, and Spanish. The Romans were particularly skilled in administration, organization, and engineering. They had a highly trained and disciplined military and an efficient bureaucracy. Without these qualities, the Romans would never have been able to manage their sprawling empire. They were not, however, as driven or original when it came to other intellectual pursuits. In fact, the Romans basically adopted and copied much of Greek art, literature, philosophy, and even religion. The Romans had the same set of gods as the Greeks, but with different names. In Roman mythology, Zeus became Jupiter, Hera became Juno, Ares changed to Mars, and Athena was Minerva, to name a few examples. The Romans did, however, spread these borrowed ideas everywhere they went. Romulus and Remus According to Roman mythology, a pair of twin brothers played an important part in the founding of Rome. These brothers, named Romulus and Remus, were the sons of Mars, the Roman god of war. Abandoned at birth, the twins were raised by a wolf. When they became older, they decided to found a city along the Tiber River near the spot where they had been abandoned. Each chose a hill upon which to begin a settlement. As often happens among brothers, disputes led to quarreling and fighting. Angered by Remus’s taunting, Romulus killed his brother in a fit of rage. Romulus went on to build the city that eventually became Rome—named, of course, after Romulus. As it turned out, Romulus chose a very good spot for his city. Rome was located on the Tiber River about 15 miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea. The Romans had easy access to the sea and were somewhat protected from seaborne invasion. Also, Rome lay in the middle of the Italian peninsula, the boot-shaped landmass to the west of Greece. From this central position, the Romans could easily access and control all of what is today the modern country of Italy. Ancient: Elementary Unit 23: Roman Hegemony Page 305 Finally, the Italian peninsula’s central location within the Mediterranean Sea made it possible for the Romans to trade and communicate with every part of the Mediterranean world. Adapted from the book Ancient Civilizations, source: ushistory.org At the height of its expansion (around 120 A.D.), the Roman Empire comprised nearly all of the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Reading and Assignments Based on your student’s age and ability, the reading in this unit may be read aloud to the student and journaling and notebook pages may be completed orally. Likewise, other assignments can be done with an appropriate combination of independent and guided study. In this unit, students will: Complete two lessons in which they will learn about ancient Rome. Define vocabulary words. Explore the following website: ▪ Ancient Rome for Kids http://www.rome.mrdonn.org/ Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources. Ancient: Elementary Unit 23: Roman Hegemony Page 306 Leading Ideas Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! — Psalm 33:12 It is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. — Psalm 75:7 Vocabulary Lesson 1: Lesson 2: plebian none aristocracy patrician consul coerce Ancient: Elementary Unit 23: Roman Hegemony Page 307 L e s s o n O n e History Overview and Assignments Plebs Map of the Roman takeover of Italy Reading and Assignments Read the article: The Roman Republic. Define each vocabulary word in the context of the reading and put the word and its definition in the vocabulary section of your notebook. Ancient: Elementary Unit 23: Roman Hegemony Page 308 After reading the article, summarize the story you read by either: ▪ Retelling it out loud to your teacher or parent. OR ▪ Completing an appropriate notebook page. Either way, be sure to include the answers to the discussion questions and an overview of key people, places, dates, and events in your summary. Be sure to visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources. Vocabulary plebian aristocracy patrician consul coerce Discussion Questions 1. How did a Roman citizen distinguish 3. Who was involved in the Punic Wars? himself from slaves and noncitizens? 4. How did the Romans treat other 2. What is the legend about the birth of countries that they conquered? Rome? 5. Describe the Roman senate. Adapted for Elementary School from the book: Ancient Civilizations source ushistory.org The Roman Republic The Romans established a form of The Roman concept of the citizen government—a republic—that was copied evolved during the Roman Republic and by countries for centuries. In fact, the changed significantly during the later government of the United States is based Roman Empire. After the Romans freed partly on Rome’s model. themselves from the Etruscans, they It all began when the Romans overthrew established a republic, and all males over 15 their Etruscan conquerors in 509 B.C. who were descended from the original Centered north of Rome, the Etruscans had tribes of Rome became citizens. Citizens of ruled over the Romans for hundreds of Rome distinguished themselves from slaves years. and other noncitizens by wearing a toga; Once free, the Romans established a most wore a white toga. During the Empire, republic, a government in which citizens each emperor wore a purple toga to elected representatives to rule on their distinguish himself as the princeps, or “first behalf. A republic is quite different from a citizen.” democracy, in which every citizen is Citizenship varied greatly. The full expected to play an active role in governing citizen could vote, marry freeborn persons, the state. and practice commerce. Some citizens were Ancient: Elementary Unit 23: Roman Hegemony Page 309 not allowed to vote or hold public office but who gained the power to veto measures maintained the other rights. A third type of passed by the senate. citizen could vote and practice commerce, Gradually, the plebeians obtained even but could not hold office or marry freeborn more power and eventually could hold the women. position of consul. Despite these changes, In the late Republic, male slaves who though, the patricians were still able to use were granted their freedom could become their wealth to buy control and influence full citizens. Around 90 B.C., non-Roman over elected leaders. allies of the Republic gained the rights of citizenship, and by 212 A.D., under the Edict The Roman Senate of Caracalla, all free people of the Roman The history of the Roman Senate goes as Empire could become citizens. far back as the history of Rome itself. It was first created as a 100-member advisory group for the Roman kings. Later kings expanded the group to 300 members. When the kings were expelled from Rome and the Republic was formed, the Senate became the most powerful governing body. Instead of advising the head of state, it elected the chief executives, called consuls. Frescoes line the walls of long-forgotten Etruscan tombs. This painting, found in the Tomb of Augurs in Tarquinia, is titled Hell’s Door. The aristocracy (wealthy class) dominated the early Roman Republic. In Roman society, the aristocrats were known as patricians. The highest positions in the government were held by two consuls, or leaders, who ruled the Roman Republic. A The ladder to political power in the Roman Senate senate composed of patricians elected these was different for the wealthy patricians than for the lower-class plebeians. consuls. At this time, lower-class citizens, or plebeians, had virtually no say in the Senators were, for centuries, strictly government. Both men and women were from the patrician class. They practiced the citizens in the Roman Republic, but only skills of rhetoric and oratory to persuade men could vote. other members of the ruling body. The Tradition dictated that patricians and Senate convened and passed laws in the plebeians should be strictly separated; curia, a large building on the grounds of the marriage between the two classes was even Roman Forum. Much later, Julius Caesar prohibited. Over time, the plebeians elected built a larger curia for an expanded Senate. their own representatives, called tribunes, By the 3rd century B.C., Rome had Ancient: Elementary Unit 23: Roman Hegemony Page 310 conquered vast territories, and the powerful The Twelve Tables senators sent armies, negotiated terms of One of the innovations of the Roman treaties, and had total control over the Republic was the notion of equality under financial matters of the Republic. the law. In 449 B.C., government leaders Senatorial control was eventually carved some of Rome’s most important laws challenged by Dictator Sulla around 82 B.C.