Location: Middle of the Mediterranean Sea Long narrow peninsula
boot shaped Toe of boot points towards Sicily Two mountain ranges:
1. in the north the Alps 2. the Apennines which run the length of
the boot from north to south
Slide 3
Map
Slide 4
Landscape of Italy Similar to Greece but Apennines not as
rugged Think about how the mountains affected the way the Greek
city-states developed People of Italy were not split up, or
isolated Better farmland could support its population
Slide 5
Latium Little is known about first people Latin speaking people
built city of Rome on plain of Latium 15 miles up Tiber 7 hills
What would the benefits be of building Rome here?
Slide 6
Legends of Rome Rome Legend of Aeneas Legend of Romulus and
Remus From the Roman poet Virgil in The Aeneid Trojan hero Sails
across Mediterranean with group of followers after the fall of Troy
Land mouth of Tiber, warfare, marriage to local kings daughter
Unites Trojans and Latins Supposed descendents of Aeneas Rescued by
a she-wolf Found and raised by a shepherd. Quarreled over a wall,
Romulus killed Remus Names Rome after himself
Slide 7
Rome Actually Historians not sure of origin of Rome Latin
people lived in the area @1000 B.C.E. Built huts, herded sheep,
banded together for protection Community became Rome
Slide 8
Greek influence Many Greeks lived in southern Italy. Why? (hint
we studied this) Greeks taught Romans how to grow olives and grapes
Romans adopted Greek Alphabet, architecture, literature and
gods
Slide 9
Etruscans North of Rome is Etruria Inhabited by Etruscans After
650 B.C. moved south and took control of the area around Rome and
most of Latium
Slide 10
Etruscan life
Slide 11
Etruscans Change Rome Changed Rome from village to a city Laid
out wood and brick temples/public buildings around a central square
Connected city with streets Romans copied style of dress Togas
(loose garments draped over one shoulder) Army becomes model for
Roman Army.
Slide 12
End of Etruscan rule.. The Republic Ruled for 100 years
Tarquins (a ruling family) grew more and more cruel Roman rebelled,
set up a republic A Republic is a form of government where the
people have power and the people choose a leader to govern
them.
Slide 13
How the Republic grows Next 200 years, Romans fought numerous
wars. By 332 B.C.E., defeated the Latin, next Etruscans, and
finally the Greeks in southern Italy in by 267 B.C.E.. Controlled
most of peninsula of Italy
Slide 14
What aided the Romans in conquering their neighbors? Excellent
soldiers Harsh discipline Deserters killed/ rebels punished All
males who owned land had to serve in army Originally fought like
Greeks, slow and hard to control reorganized into smaller group
units/Roman Legion
Slide 15
Roman Confederation Built permanent military settlements in
conquered areas Roads between towns Roman Confederation- system to
rule conquests : 1. Full citizenship given to some, especially the
Latin 2. They were able to vote, serve in government and treated
the same as citizens under the law
Slide 16
Allies Others given status of Allies. 1. Free to run own local
affairs 2. Pay taxes 3. Provide soldiers for army 4. Loyal allies
could become citizens 5. How would this way of dealing with
conquered people help Rome to control its Republic?
Slide 17
Roman Legions Each legion had 5,000- 6,000 men Legio - mean
levy conscription compulsory enlistment Cohorts basic tactical unit
Ten cohorts in a legion@ 500 men
Slide 18
Cohorts
Slide 19
Further divisions Each cohort is divided into 6 centuries of 80
- 100 men Commanded by a centurion Each century was further divided
into 8-10 legionaries or a contubernium.