The Ancient Roman World

The Ancient Roman World

Greek and Roman ReligionThe Greeks and Romans practiced polytheistimnumerous gods and goddesses whose origins were established through traditional stories of mythology.

Greek and Roman ReligionThe Greeks and Romans shared many of the same religious conceptsRoman culture was influenced by Hellenistic diffusion

The Roman RepublicRoman Republic developed concepts of government by lawsGovernment Major PositionsConsuls (2)Head of government, act as commanders-in-chief. Become senators at the end of term.Senate (300)Supervise government matters, especially military and foreign affairs. Serve for life.Tribunes (10)Guard rights of plebeians can veto senators and other officials. Serve for one year.

Social Classes of the Roman Republic Patricians: wealthy landownersPlebeians: common farmers, artisans, and merchants (majority)Barred by law from holding important government positions.Eventually form tribunes: protected the rights of the plebeians from unfair acts of patrician officials

Punic Was: Rome vs. CarthageThree wars stretching from 246 to 146 BCECarthage originated as a Phoenician colony.Rome emerges as the Mediterranean power.

Ending CarthageWould you like salt on that?

The Roman Republic CrumblesAfter Punic Wars; republic becomes unstableEconomic TurmoilRich live on big estates (with lots of slaves)Small farmers had difficulty competingCivil War: Tribunes tried for reforms but made enemies with senatorsGenerals start to gain power (recruiting soldiers turned farmerspromising them land) and take over by force

The First TriumvirateJulius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus rule as a triumvirate 50 BCE Caesar undermines senate

Julius Caesar Takes Power

Caesar appointed lifelong dictator in 44 BCEReforms: Extends Roman citizenship to provinces;Expanded the senateBuilt new public buildings

Caesar Killed by Senators March 15th 44 BCE

Is he holding a chair?Started from the bottom, now Im here!The Early EmpireMore civil warRoman Republic destroyed2nd TriumvirateOctavian, Marc Antony and Lepidus Ruled for 10 yearsJealousy and violenceLepidus retires, Octavian and Marc Antony rivalsOctavian rules; becomes Augustus CaesarPax Romana (207 years)After Augustus death, empire remained stable

The Empires Territory

Christianity in the Roman WorldOriginally Christians are persecuted by the empireChristianity threatened the Roman social structureChristianity gradually came to be accepted, then spread throughout the Roman world

Christianity becomes Romes religion Paul and Paul spread Christianity on Roman roads.The Emperor Constantine ended persecution of Christians.The emperor Theodosius made Christianity the empires religion.

The Empire Splits

The Western Roman Empire Collapses Factors for collapseEconomic WeaknessInflationDisruption of trade Military OverextensionToo many places to protect and lack of loyaltyInvasions Germanic Tribes (Goths, Ostrogoths, and Visigoths)Huns

The Eastern Empire thrives, and becomes the Byzantine Empire.