Ancient Rome:From Republic to Empire

Mr. Chonko

Long ago, the story goes, a princess gave birth to twin sons, Romulus and Remus. The boys’ father was Mars, the Roman god of war. The princess’s uncle, the king, was afraid the boys would grow up and take his throne, so he ordered his men to drown them in the Tiber River. But before the twins drowned, a wolf rescued them.

When Romulus and Remus grew up, they decided to build a town on the banks of the Tiber River where the wolf had found them. But they fought over who would rule their settlement. Eventually, Romulus killed his brother. He became king of the city, which he named Rome.

Creation Myth about the founding of Rome

• It all began on a “boot” shaped peninsula.

• Most of the land was covered in mountains and hills.

• Two major mountain ranges:– Alps mountain range is located in the North of

Italy– Apennines mountain range runs the length of

the Italian Peninsula

• Mild climate and weather allowed for widespread farming and a variety of crops.

Geography of Italy

• Romulus took the throne in 753 B.C.

• A group of people called Etruscans, from northern Italy, overthrew Roman kings.

• Etruscans contributed much to the Romans:– Greek Architecture– Sewer Systems– Alphabet & Numbers

• Etruscans were cruel and were overthrown by nobles, who began a new government.

Rome’s Early Kings

• Nobles began a Republic government.

• A Republic is a form of government with elected leaders.

• A Republic is supposed to create a system of checks and balances to keep one person from becoming too powerful.

• However, elected officials usually came from the rich minority.

The Early Republic

• Plebeians were mostly peasants, laborers, craftspeople, and shopkeepers.

• Rich nobles, called Patricians, created a Senate, or group of 300 Patricians, who were elected to run the government for life. They appointed other government officials and served as judges.

• Two Consuls shared command of the army to divide power.

• Eventually through revolt, Plebians gain political equality by electing tribunes to represent their interests.

Social Divisions in Rome

From Republic to Empire

First Period of Expansion

509 B.C.E

Began when Romans drove the last Etruscan king out of power. At that time, Rome became a

republic. Romans fight with Etruscans and Latins for about 245 years and then they become allies, allowing Rome to control the Italian

Peninsula

Second Period of Expansion

264 B.C.E. – 146 B.C.E

An allied Italian Peninsula threatened neighboring Carthage in North Africa. Rome

and Carthage fight three wars during this period, known as the Punic Wars, ending with the expansion of Rome into North Africa, much

of Spain, and the island of Sicily. Rome also conquered Macedonia (Alexander’s homeland)

and Greece during this period.

Expansion of Roman Power took place over about 500 years, from 509 B.C.E. to 14 C.E.

From Republic to Empire

Third Period of Expansion

145 B.C.E. – 44 B.C.E.

During this period Rome comes to rule the entire Mediterranean world. In the East they conquer all of Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt. In the West, a general

named Julius Caesar conquered much of Gaul (Modern-day France). Toward the end of the period the city of Rome was engaged in Civil War between Roman Generals and the Senate (elected group of government officials). Julius Caesar is killed in 44

B.C.E. and his grandnephew Octavian becomes the first Emperor of Rome. He takes the name Augustus.

Fourth Period of Expansion

44 B.C.E – 14 C.E.

Augustus adds a great deal of new territory by pushing the borders of the empire all the way to

natural boundaries, like rivers, to make it easier to defend. Empire now stretches from Britain in the

West to the Black Sea in the East.

Calls for Change• Three men during the fourth period of expansion

took over government control, forming a (triumvirate):– Crassus– Pompey– Julius Caesar

• These three men shared power, legions (armies), and worked together to make decisions.

• The Triumvirate worked well and Rome was restored.

Caesar’s rise to power• Unfortunately after 10 years, jealously and

greed caused problems.

• While Caesar was in Gaul, Crassus died in battle, and left Pompey in charge of Rome.

• Pompey and the Senate ordered Caesar to give up his legion and power.

Caesar’s rise to power• Caesar refused, and marched his legion on Rome.

• Pompey fled and was eventually killed in Egypt.

• Caesar now had complete control of Rome.

• Caesar declared himself dictator and began working to improve Roman society.

Julius Caesar• Caesar was rich, well educated, a brilliant general,

and loved by Rome.

• Caesar wanted to restore Rome and solve its problems:– Gave poor land for farming– Began a welfare system– Increased the size of army– Fixed roads and increased trade– Reduced the Senate’s power

Julius Caesar• Caesar blamed the Patricians and the Senate

for Rome’s problems.

• Fearing that Caesar would begin a monarchy and declare himself king, the Senate killed Caesar on March 15, 44 B.C.

• Rome erupted into chaos.

The End of the Republic• Plebeians blamed and massacred the Patricians

for Caesar’s death.

• Two men emerged and restored control of Rome:– Marc Antony: Caesar's former general– Octavian: Caesar’s adopted son

• Octavian and Antony wanted revenge, and killed all of Caesar’s attackers.

The End of the Republic• Formed 2nd Triumvirate:

– Marc Antony – Octavian– Lepidus

• Triumvirate worked well for 7 years, until jealously and greed returned.

• Major problems began when Antony divorced Octavian’s sister for Cleopatra of Egypt.

The End of the Republic• Octavian wanted revenge,

so he attacked and defeated Antony.

• Octavian took complete control of Rome, beginning the Roman Empire.

Rome’s Growing Empire• Octavian made Rome more powerful than ever.

• He returned the Senate’s power, but claimed veto power.

• Other improvements included:– Repaired and increased roads– Began police force & fire department– Increased water and sewer systems – Constructed numerous temples

and buildings

Rome’s Growing Empire• Octavian began

calling himself “Augustus” or the “Revered One.”

• Rome was now unified and stable.

• Roman power stretched from Spain, to Britain, to Mesopotamia, to Egypt.

• Rome had entered its “Golden Age.”

Section Focus• The quality of life improved for

people all over the empire.

• Peace allowed cultures to intertwine and develop.

• The Pax Romana became the “Golden Age” of Rome.

The Pax Romana• To bring peace, Augustus reformed the laws.

• Laws all over the empire were standardized, or made the same for Romans and non-Romans.

• Laws were followed because they were fair, not because they were forced.

The Pax Romana• Rome grew rich and prospered.

• Trade increased because tariffs were cut and coin money was standardized.

• Romans imported and exported many products from all over the empire.

• People of Rome began to live a life of leisure.

Roman Leisure• People began to enjoy

life and money instead of constantly working.

• Patricians enjoyed all luxuries and pleasures of life.

• Plebeians enjoyed the peace and prosperity.

Roman Leisure• Roman leisure activities included:

– The Bathhouses– Gambling– The Theater– Concerts– Reading– Banquets– Exercise– Circuses and Zoos– Chariot Races– Gladiatorial Games

Roman Leisure• The Chariot Races

(A) HISTORY

The Romans probably borrowed chariot racing from the Etruscans, who themselves borrowed it from the Greeks.

(B) THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS

Most famous race track and could seat more than 250,000 people.

(C) THE RACES

The races were extremely violent and often deadly. Each race consisted of seven laps.

Roman Accomplishments• Romans made developments in the fields of:

– Science Agriculture & Astronomy– Medicine Heart Surgery & Medicine– Architecture Cement, Columns (learned

from Greeks), Roads, Arch, & Domes

– Art Mosaics, Frescoes, & Sculptures– Literature Historical Books, Poems,

Speeches, & Dramas– Language Latin led to Italian, Spanish, French,

Portuguese, and influenced English

– Government Republic, Written Laws

Roman Accomplishments• Science & Agriculture

Roman Accomplishments• Surgery & Medicines

Roman Accomplishments• Roman Architecture

Roman Accomplishments• Roman Architecture

• Roman Mosaics

Roman Accomplishments

• Roman Sculptures

Roman Accomplishments

Roman Accomplishments• Many Roman contributions

influence our lives daily.

• Roman society has affected almost every country on the planet.

• The Roman Empire achieved more power than ever before, or since.