The Rise of Rome

10.1Chapter 10

Section 1

Geography of Italy

• Italy is a peninsula

• 2 major mountain ranges– Alps– Apennines

• Mount Vesuvius

• Not much area is flat- HILLS– Many cities founded on hills

• Many cities founded along rivers– Rome: Tiber River

• Climate– Summer: warm, dry - Winter: mild, rainy– GOOD WEATHER = GOOD FOOD SUPPLY

• Could grow many things

–Grains, citrus fruits, grapes, olives

Rome’s Legendary Origins

• Early history wrapped in mystery– No written records

• Ruins suggest people lived in Rome as early as 800 BC

• Romans were curious about their history– Created legends, or stories, about who built their

city

Aeneas [i-NEE-uhs]

• From Troy; great Trojan war hero

• When Troy lost to the Greeks Aeneas fled.

• In Italy began an alliance with the Latin's.– Together fought the other groups; was victorious

• Married Latin king’s daughter– Became a prominent rulers in Italy

Romulus and Remus

• Descendants of Aeneas

• Twin brothers

• Romulus killed Remus

• Romulus named city after himself– Became Rome’s first King

Rome’s Early Kings

• 753 BC Romulus becomes King

• Rome records list 7 kings

• Etruscans [i-TRUHS-kuhnz] were influenced by Greek colonies– Built huge temples, 1st sewer, – Many believe brought alphabet and numbers

• Last king was very cruel– Nobles rose up and defeated him– Nobles created a new form of government

Early Republic

• Republic- people elect leaders to govern them.– Elections were held every year.– Officials came from a few families, no others

had any power.– Not a democracy.

Challenges from Outside

• First 50 years- wars with outside groups

• Dictators- rulers with absolute power.– Only during war– Could only stay in power for 6 months– Example: Cincinnatus

Challenges from Inside

• Plebeians [pli-BEE-uhnz]- common people– Peasants, craftspeople, traders, other workers– Outnumbered the patricians

• Patricians [ puh-TRI-shuhnz]- Nobles– Could only be elected to office– Held ALL political power.

• 494 BC- Plebeians came together– Formed council, elected own officials.

• Frightened Patricians– Feared Rome would fall– Decided time to change the government

Roman SocietyPatricians Plebeians

Wealthy, powerful citizens Common people

Nobles Peasants, craftspeople, traders, other workers

Small minority of the population

Majority of the population

Once controlled ALL aspects of government

Gained right to participate in government