When in Rome600 B.C. - A.D. 500

How do different types of political organizations emerge? How can new ideas lead to social and political change?

Republic Empire• A republic is a form of government in which the leader is not a

king and certain citizens have the right to vote.

• The Romans established a republic in 509 B.C.

• At the beginning of the republic Rome was surrounded by enemies and was in almost continuous warfare.

• The Roman Republic conquered all of Italy.

• The Roman Republic began to decline when wealthy landowners, or patricians, began to take over the land of the plebeians.

• The first triumvirate, or group of rulers, consisted of Julias Casar, Pompey, and Crassus. After the deaths of Crassus and Pompey Julias Caesar became dictator of Rome. (47 B.C.)

• Caesar gave land to the poor and increased the senate to 900 members, weakening its power.

• Fearing the growing power of Caesar, a group of senators assassinated Caesar in 44 B.C.

• Civil war continued and the second triumvirate was created. It consisted of Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus. Octavian and Antony split the land between themselves and soon came into conflict.

• Octavian conquered the army and navy of Antony, Octavian was supreme over Rome. Civil war and the republic had ended and the people could no longer vote.

Physical Geography’s Impact• Rome had less mountains, creating

more space for farmers to farm.

• Because of its relatively close location to the Mediterranean sea, there was fertile soil for the farmers.

• The Mediterranean sea also provided and easy way for merchants to trade goods.

• Rome was close enough to the Mediterranean to benefit farmers but also far enough to benefit the military. The location allowed the military to retreat fast enough if needed but to also attack easily.

Factors Contributing to the Rise of Rome

• Geography

• The Greeks and E(trus)cans

• Roman duties (honor, courage, leadership, and discipline)

• Military Strength

• Practical Laws and Politics

GREEKS ETRUSCANS• how to grow olives and

grapes

• alphabet

• literature

• architecture

• sculpture

• dress (toga, cloaks)

• organization of the army

Major Events that Led Rome from Republic to Empire

• farmers lost land

• seizure of power by army

• first triumvirate led to civil war

• Caesar becomes dictator and is later killed

• second triumvirate

• Octavian becomes emperor

Positive and Negative Aspects and Achievements of the Roman Empire

POSITIVE NEGATIVE

Pax Romana Civil War

Social Programs Major Gap Between Rich and Poor

Unified Roman Empire with Increased Citizenship Slavery

Building Projects City of Rome (Very Dangerous)

Spread of Greco-Roman Culture Corrupt Emperors

Arts

Advancements in Math and Science

Literature

Important Vocabulary• republic = a form of government in which the leader is not a king and certain citizens have the right to vote

• patrician = a social class of wealthy, powerful landowners, they formed the ruling class in the Roman Republic

• plebeian = in the Roman Republic, a social class made up of minor landholders, craftspeople, merchants, and small farmers

• consul = a chief executive officer of the Roman Republic; two were elected each year to run the government and to lead the army into battle

• praetor = an official of the Roman Republic in charge of enforcing civil law

• triumvirate = a government by three people with equal power

• dictator = an absolute ruler

• imperator = commander in chief; the Latin origin of the word emperor

• paterfamilias = in the Roman social structure, the dominant male head of the household, which also included his wife, sons and their wives and children, unmarried daughters, and slaves

• insulae = Roman apartment blocks constructed of concrete with wooden-beam floors

Picture Sources

• http://studyhallsuis.weebly.com/uploads/6/9/3/9/6939644/1232232_orig.jpg

• http://www.nuttyhistory.com/rome.html

• http://rienahumanitiesisb.blogspot.com/2011/11/geography-of-ancient-rome.html