ROMEWHI.6

Geography (6a)

How was the geographic location important to the economic, social, and political development of ancient Rome?

Rome’s Geography..

Located in Italy ( Boot-shaped Peninsula) South of Europe and extends into the

Mediterranean Sea(Half way between Africa and Europe)(Half way between East and West

Mediterranean)

Rome Geography..

Mountains Located in the North Protects, but does not isolate Rome High mountain ranges= Alps

Rome Geography

Sea Located in South, East, and West Protects Rome Provides transportation and trade

Geography

Rich soil and pleasant climate Balance between agriculture and

fishing Rivers are short and swift

Provides little means of internal navigation.

Geography

Rome grows in center of peninsula Several small villages, grouped around a

central market (Forum)

Geography results

City prospered from its location Bridge City- Control access across river Valuable trade routes Sea access

Roman Mythology

Based on the Greek Polytheistic religion

Explained natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events

Roman Mythology

The Roman gods and goddesses included..

Jupiter

Ruler of the Gods

Juno

Wife of Jupiter Protector of marriage

Apollo

God of beauty, poetry, music and the sun

Diana

Goddess of earth, wildfire, and hunters

Minerva

Goddess of war and peace and wisdom

Venus

Goddess of love

Mythology

Many of Western civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images come from Ancient Roman mythology Owls: Wisdom Cupid St. Valentine’s Day Opposites: Yin/Yang Olive Branch: Peace

Conquest of Italy

Latin's Arrived around 1000 BC Created small sheep herding villages

Greeks• Arrived ~750 BC• Trade colonies in the South• Brought religion, trade, & architecture

Etruscans• Arrived ~800 BC from Asia Minor• Brought writing, omen reading (auspices),

trade, & architecture

Etruscans

They were great metal workers, jewelers, enjoyed dancing, banquets, women enjoyed greater freedom

Revolt 509 BC Roman aristocracy threw out Tarquinis

Superbus (The last Etruscan monarch)

The Roman Republic

Republic- elected officials governed the state

Women, aliens, and slaves were excluded from the governing process

Became a foundation of modern democracy

Roman society

Divided between patrician families and plebian families

Social structure

Determined by birth, not wealth Patricians: descendants of the

founding fathers of Rome Made laws for Rome

Plebeians: free citizens, merchants, artisans, soldiers Could vote

Social structure

Slaves Not race based Prisoners of war, debtors, or poor

Citizenship

The citizens of the Roman Republic were the Patrician and Plebian men No women and only selected foreigners

Rights and responsibilities of citizenship Examples: paying taxes and military

service

Conflict of the Orders

Patricians belief: Only people with land would fight well Established property qualifications to

serve in military (plebeians became increasingly disqualified)

Problems of debt and land forces small landowners and poor into debt slavery Threatened the protection of the people

Plebeians gain more power

Invaders threaten city Plebeians refused to fight in the

army until reforms were made Form their own assembly “Plebeian

Council” Gained the right to elect own officials,

called tribunes, Protect them from unjust treatment

Twelve Tables

451 BC Law written on 12 tablets and hung in Forum

the basis for Roman law All free citizens had the protection of

the law

Government of Rome

Executive 2 Consuls

Elected to 1 year terms Had power to veto (could cancel laws)

Government

Legislative Senate

Made of patricians Lifetime terms Made laws

Assemblies Made of citizen soldiers Eventually gained the power to make

laws

Government

Judicial Praetors

Judges chosen for one year to oversee courts

Roman Dictator (sometimes) 6 month terms only in times of

crisis Appointed by consuls & approved

by senate

military

All males required to be in military Fought in Legions: 4000-6000 soldiers,

mixed with Calvary Legions broke into 60 Centuries (80-100

men)

THE PUNIC WARS

The Roman Army

Who could be apart of the army? All Roman citizens 17-46 yrs old with

the minimum amount of property 10 yrs in cavalry or 16 yrs infantry

The Roman Army

Success depended on military organization

Believed the citizens who had land to protect would fight bravely

Roman Army

Military tactics First used Greek Phalanx Replaced by maniples

Better suited for rough terrain maniples were combined into larger

groups called cohorts 10 cohorts of 600 men made up a legion

Roman Army

Legions Commanded by officers called

centurions Disciplined and well trained

Rome and Carthage

Rome is located in Italy Carthage is located on the northern

coast of Africa (established by the Phoenicians, major trading center)

Rome and Carthage

Come into conflict with each other because of competition with trade

Rome extends southward Carthage feared its commerce would be

threatened Carthage = powerful navy, little

interest in dominating large areas of land

Rome = Powerful land army

1st Punic War

Punic- Latin for Phoenician Started in 264 BC and lasted for 23

yrs. Who won?

Rome Used planks on their ships to let their

men run across to attack the enemy

Result of the 1st Punic War Monetary (Money) settlement to

Rome Rome took over Sicily and other

islands off of the coast of Italy.

2nd Punic War (Hannibal’s Invasion)Hannibal= great Carthaginian general Bitter from previous war Lead 50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry,

and 60 elephants to Rome Went through the Alps Lost more than half of his men

2nd Punic war

Defeated Romans repeatedly Battle of Cannae (216 BC) =

killed/wounded as many as 50,000 Romans

Publius Cornelius Scipio Roman general Plan to attack Carthage Hannibal returned to Carthage to defend

the city Rome WON!

Conquest of the Mediterranean World Rome imposed a harsh peace Carthage loses its navy, Spanish

possessions and independence Citizens were outraged by Rome’s

decision not to destroy Carthage

“Carthage Must Be Destroyed!! 149 BC = Rome decided to destroy

its old enemy once and for all Declared a third Punic War Following a three year siege, Carthage

fell Rome enslaved the population and

destroyed the city Poured salt all over the soil/ground in

Carthage, so that they could no longer grow anything

After Rome’s Victory

Rome dominated the Mediterranean basin for 100 yrs. This contributed to the spread of Roman

culture throughout the area.

After Rome’s Victory

Mediterranean basin (Africa, Asia, Europe, Including the Hellenistic world of the Eastern Mediterranean)

Western Europe (Gaul, British Isles)