Ancient Rome

Lasting Legacies

Form of GovernmentImportant People of RomeExpansion of an EmpireArt, Architecture, and Entertainment

Beginning of Rome

Legend of Romulus and Remus

Circa 750 BC

Abandoned brothers

Raised by She-Wolf

Romulus killed Remus

Early Government

Republic

Form of government in which the power rests with the citizens who then vote to select their leaders to represent them

Patricians and Plebeians

Tribunes

Consuls

Senate

Dictator

Roman Republic vs. U. S. Government

Rome United States

Executive 2 Consuls, elected by the assembly for 1 year, commander of army

President, elected by citizens for 4 years, commander of army

Legislative Senate-300 memebers

Tribal Assembly- elected according to where they live

Both elected for life

Senate-100 members, 6 yr terms

House of Representatives-435 members, 2 yr . terms

Judicial Praetors-eight judges chosen for 1 year

Supreme Court-9 justices, appointed for life by President

Legal Code Twelve Tables – list of rules that were the basis of Roman Law

U.S. Constitution

Citizenship All adult male landowners only All native-born or naturalized people

Punic Wars (264 – 146 BC)

Series of 3 wars between Rome and Carthage

Hannibal and Scipio

First Triumvirate60 BC

Union between Pompey, Crassus, & Julius Caesar

Crassus• Very little known about him

• Wealthy Roman businessman, probably a “millionaire”

• Killed while fighting in a war in 53 BC

PompeyRoman GeneralPopular among citizens because of military victories73 BC Defeated slave uprising lead by Spartacus60 BC Married Julia Caesar, daughter of JuliusBecame a rival to Julius, fighting for power and control

Julius Caesar(100 – 44 BC)

Leader of Army in Gaul

Very successful and popular

49 BC began asserting control in ItalyCaused Pompey to flee to Egypt

Appointed Dictator for life in early 44 BC

Assassinated March 15, 44 BC (Ides of March)

Second Triumvirate

43 – 33 BC

Consisted of Lepidus, Marc Antony, and Octavian-nephew of Caesar.

Octavian to become leader and expand the Empire

Marc Antony

Met Cleopatra while in Anatolia with troops

Accused of plotting or rule Rome from Egypt

Defeated by Octavian in 31 BC

Committed suicide with Cleopatra

Augustus (Octavian)63 BC – 14 AD

Nephew and adopted son of Julius CaesarWanted to restore the Republic“Ablest Emperor of Rome”

Reformed the government by adding a civil service, paid workersSystem of roads “All roads lead to Rome”Strengthened army and navyIncreased the size of the Roman Empire

Pax Romana (27 BC – 180 AD)Died in AD 14 of natural causes

Height of Empire

Emperors Successors(Following Augustus)

Tiberius 14-37 AD

Caligula 37-41 AD

Nero 54-68 AD

Trajan 98-117 AD

Marcus Aurelius 161-180 AD

Constantine 272-337 AD

Decline of Roman EmpireDiocletian (245? – 313)

Attempted to reform the EmpireSplits empire into East and WestReforms only slowed the decline, didn’t stop it

Reasons for the decline:Political – office seen as a burden, division of empire, moving of capitalSocial – lack of patriotism, huge difference between rich and poor, little interest in public affairs, low confidence in empireEconomic – poor harvests, inflation, no more war plunder, heavy taxes, disruption of tradeMilitary – threat from northern tribes, low funds for defense, lack of interest in army, lack of loyalty

Fall of the Roman Empire

Germanic Invasions – AD 376-476Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Anglos, Saxons, Burgundians, and Vandals

Attila the Hun Romulus Augustulus

Last Roman Emperor14 year old boyDeposed and sent into exile in 476

Eastern half of Empire, Byzantine Empire, survives and flourishes