Chapter 6: Ancient Rome and Early Christianity

Chapter 750 B.C.–A.D. 500 6 Ancient Rome and Early Christianity The Storyteller War trumpets rang over the cheers of the people of Rome who gathered to view the triumphal grand parade. Then sweat- ing horses jerking at their harnesses rattled the victor’s chariot Chapter Themes over the paving stones, and the people’s cries became louder. On > Change The Roman political sys- this day in 146 B.C., the Romans were celebrating their conquest tem evolves as more people partici- pate in government. Section 1 of the last of the free Greek city-states. > Conflict Roman armies conquer Ironically, however, over the next several centuries Greek most of the Mediterranean world. Section 2 culture would come to form the base of Roman culture and > Cultural Diffusion The Roman society. Texts written by Greeks would shape Roman knowledge empire spreads Latin culture. Section 3 in many areas of study. Even after years of Roman rule, the > Innovation Christianity becomes eastern Mediterranean world would retain Greek as its primary the dominant religion in the West. Section 4 language. > Change Germanic invasions and cultural weaknesses destroy the Roman Empire. Section 5 Historical Significance How did the small city-state of Rome become the center of a vast, diverse empire that spanned the Mediterranean world? What were Rome’s lasting legacies to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and other parts of the world? 152 History Woman playing the cithera, painted on the east wall of a room in & Art the villa of Publius Fannius Synistor, Pompeii, Italy Your History Journal Chapter Overview The European cities of Bonn, Vienna, London, and Paris were each founded by Visit the World History: The Human Experience the Romans. Research the early history of Web site at worldhistory.ea.glencoe.com and one of these cities and describe the Roman click on Chapter 6—Chapter Overview to preview influence on its early architecture and the chapter. lifestyle. Chapter 6 Ancient Rome and Early Christianity 153 Section 1 The Roman Republic he peoples of Italy first came into con- Read to Find Out tact with the Greeks around 900 B.C., Main Idea Rome was governed as a T when Greek traders sailed up both the republic, which changed over the years. east and west coasts of the Italian Peninsula. From about 750 B.C. to 500 B.C., the Greeks set up farming > Terms to Define communities in southern Italy and in Sicily, an patrician, republic, plebeian, consul, island southwest of the Italian Peninsula. These dictator, tribune Greek colonists planted olive trees for the oil yield- > People to Meet ed and grapevines from which they could produce the Etruscans, the Latins, Romulus, the wine, thus introducing these two major products to Tarquins Italy. The Greeks also introduced the Greek alphabet to the Italians. > Places to Locate Italy, Sicily, Rome The Italian Peninsula The The Greeks were interested in colonizing Italy toryteller S for several reasons, one of which was Italy’s central The city of Rome was besieged by Lars location in the Mediterranean. A narrow, boot- shaped peninsula, Italy extends from Europe Porsena, king of Clusium, and the time had come toward the shores of Africa, dividing the for decisive action. One Mediterranean almost in half. Thus, Italy was ide- young Roman hoped to ally situated to be the center of trade among three break the siege by killing continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa. Italy’s rich soil Porsena. After laying his and mild, moist climate also attracted the Greek plan before the Senate, colonists. Beyond the mountains and foothills that he set out alone toward covered three-quarters of the peninsula lay plains enemy lines. However, he with soil enriched by the silt deposits of mountain was seized as a spy and streams. dragged by guards before However, the silt washing down Italy’s short the very man he had and shallow rivers blocked the mouths of many hoped to kill—Porsena. rivers, creating mosquito-infested swamps. The The Forum He spoke boldly: “I am people of Italy suffered recurrent epidemics of a Roman, my name is malaria and other diseases carried by mosquitoes. Gaius Mucius. I came here to kill you—my Because of Italy’s mountains, the early inhabi- enemy. I have as much courage to die as to kill. It tants of the peninsula generally traded among themselves. Italy’s only land connection—to the is our Roman way to do and to suffer bravely.” north—was cut off by the Alps. Furthermore, Italy’s —adapted from Early History of rocky and marshy coastline lacked good harbors. Rome, Titus Livy, in The Global To increase trade, the Italians eventually turned to Experience, Readings in World the sea, but until that time came, they remained History to 1500, 1987 attached to the land. 154 Chapter 6 Ancient Rome and Early Christianity Early Peoples origins, although the Etruscans did not speak an Indo-European language as did many of the Archaeological evidence suggests that people peninsula’s other inhabitants. The Etruscan lived in Italy long before the Greeks arrived or alphabet came from the Greeks, but modern Roman civilization began. The remains of human scholars have been able to decipher only a few settlements reveal that Neolithic cultures may have Etruscan words. begun to form in Italy as early as about 5000 B.C. Although Etruscan writings still baffle our Early peoples in the Italian Peninsula built villages understanding, Etruscan art is expressive, need- and farms, moving on whenever they had exhaust- ing no translation. In wall paintings, Etruscan fig- ed the land around their settlements. ures dance and play music, enjoying a rich and pleasant life. In Etruscan sculpture, men and Indo-Europeans women feast and converse, triumphant soldiers Between 2000 B.C. and 1000 B.C., waves of Indo- revel in their victories, and hauntingly beautiful European immigrants arrived and overwhelmed deities smile and gesture. these Neolithic peoples. By the time Greek colonists Such sculptures ornamented the homes of the came to Italy, many peoples inhabited the peninsu- Etruscan upper classes. Historians believe that la—including Umbrians in the north, Latins in the Etruscan society probably consisted of wealthy central plain called Latium (LAY•shee•uhm), and overlords, aristocratic priests, and a slave labor Oscans in the south. Like the Greeks, most of these force made up of conquered peoples. Wealthy people spoke Indo-European languages. overlords enslaved these peoples to provide themselves with comforts, and aristocratic priests The Etruscans sacrificed prisoners of war or forced them to duel From about 900 B.C. to 500 B.C., one of these to the death to appease angry gods. peoples, the Etruscans, ruled northern Italy from After repeated revolts, the Etruscan lower the plains of Etruria. Little is known about their classes and the other Italian peoples under TION EC S N N O O C C striking murals in cities from Sydney, Aus- Murals: Etruscan and Modern tralia, to Caracas, Venezuela. The boldly col- Although archaeologists have ored works appear on office, apartment, and unearthed the remains of some Etruscan supermarket walls. They usually are spon- cities, these tell little about Etruscan culture. sored by municipal officials or businesses, Murals unearthed in burial chambers, how- and the artists employed draw inspiration ever, have provided significant clues about from sources as varied as fashion magazines, the Etruscans. cartoons, and modern art. Among their subjects are movie, TV, and sports celebrities as Etruscan mural The murals show colorful and lively scenes of Etruscan well as ordinary people involved in daily daily life. Particu- activities, such as shopping on a busy street larly popular sub- or playing basketball at a neighborhood jects are scenes of playground. wrestling matches, religious cere- monies, and peo- What subjects are popularly ple enjoying music shown in Etruscan murals? Modern and feasts. urban murals? What do Etruscan Today, the murals reveal about Etruscan life? desire to beautify What do urban murals today reveal urban areas has about modern life? produced many Chapter 6 Ancient Rome and Early Christianity 155 Etruscan rule finally freed themselves from Italy 500 B.C. domination by these wealthy overlords and priests. 12°E16°E Chief among those who overthrew the Etruscans ° S 46 N L P were the Latins, whose center was the city of Rome A in the central plain of Latium. The Rise of Rome T A ib d e r r i R a Etruria A t According to legend, in 753 B.C., a stocky man i v P ic e named Romulus was building the wall of a city r E S N e a on a hill overlooking the Tiber River. His twin brother, N I Remus, came over from the hillside opposite, where 42°N N Latium E he too had been laying the foundations for a city. The Rome S Roman historian Livy tells what happened next: T y r rh Remus, by way of jeering at his brother, en i jumped over the half-built walls of the an S new settlement, whereupon Romulus ea killed him in a fit of rage, adding the N threat, ’So perish whoever else shall over- Strait of Messina leap my battlements.’ W E S 38°N —Livy, Ab Urbe Condita, 29 B.C. Sicily Greeks Setting more stone on the stains of his 0 50 100 mi. Etruscans brother’s blood, Romulus is said to have continued AFRICA 050 100 km Latins his building. In time, his namesake city—Rome— Lambert Conic Conformal Projection grew to include his brother’s hill and the other nearby hills.

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