Geography of Rome
The city of Rome, with its central location on the Italian peninsula, was able to extend its influence over the entire Mediterranean Basin.
The Italian peninsula was protected by the sea and the arc of the Alps mountains.
Locations and places
· Rome: Centrally located in the Mediterranean Basin and distant from eastern Mediterranean powers
· Italian Peninsula
· Alps: Protection
· Mediterranean Sea: Protection, sea-borne commerce
The Italian peninsula was protected by the sea and the arc of the Alps mountains.
Locations and places
· Rome: Centrally located in the Mediterranean Basin and distant from eastern Mediterranean powers
· Italian Peninsula
· Alps: Protection
· Mediterranean Sea: Protection, sea-borne commerce
The Roman Republic
Although women, most aliens (non-Romans living in the Republic), and slaves were excluded from the governing process, the Roman Republic made major strides in the development of representative democracy, which became a foundation of modern democracy.
Social structure in the Roman Republic
· Patricians: Powerful nobility (few in number)
· Plebeians: Majority of population
· Slaves: Not based on race
Citizenship
· Patrician and plebeian men
· Selected foreigners
· Rights and responsibilities of citizenship (e.g., taxes, military service)
Features of democracy
· Representative democracy
· Assemblies
· The Senate
· Consuls
· Laws of Rome codified as Twelve Tables
Social structure in the Roman Republic
· Patricians: Powerful nobility (few in number)
· Plebeians: Majority of population
· Slaves: Not based on race
Citizenship
· Patrician and plebeian men
· Selected foreigners
· Rights and responsibilities of citizenship (e.g., taxes, military service)
Features of democracy
· Representative democracy
· Assemblies
· The Senate
· Consuls
· Laws of Rome codified as Twelve Tables
Punic Wars and the Spread of Roman Culture
Hannibal crossing the Alps
After the victory over Carthage in the Punic Wars, Rome was able, over the next 100 years, to dominate the Mediterranean basin, leading to the diffusion of Roman culture.
Punic Wars: Rome vs. Carthage (264–146 b.c. [b.c.e.])
· Rome and Carthage were in competition for trade.
· Hannibal invaded the Italian Peninsula.
· Three wars resulted in Roman victory, the destruction of Carthage, and expanded trade and wealth for Rome.
Evolution of the Roman Empire and spread of Roman culture
· Mediterranean basin (Africa, Asia, Europe, including the Hellenistic world of the Eastern Mediterranean)
· Western Europe (Gaul, British Isles)
Punic Wars: Rome vs. Carthage (264–146 b.c. [b.c.e.])
· Rome and Carthage were in competition for trade.
· Hannibal invaded the Italian Peninsula.
· Three wars resulted in Roman victory, the destruction of Carthage, and expanded trade and wealth for Rome.
Evolution of the Roman Empire and spread of Roman culture
· Mediterranean basin (Africa, Asia, Europe, including the Hellenistic world of the Eastern Mediterranean)
· Western Europe (Gaul, British Isles)
The Pax Romana
Augustus Caesar established the Roman Empire by instituting civil service, rule by law, a common coinage, and secure travel and trade throughout the Empire.
Following Augustus Caesar, the Roman Empire enjoyed 200 years of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.
The Pax Romana
· Two centuries of peace and prosperity under imperial rule
· Expansion and solidification of the Roman Empire, particularly in the Near East
Economic impact of the Pax Romana
· Established uniform system of money, which helped to expand trade
· Guaranteed safe travel and trade on Roman roads
· Promoted prosperity and stability
Social impact of the Pax Romana
· Returned stability to social classes
· Increased emphasis on the family
Political impact of the Pax Romana
· Created a civil service
· Developed a uniform rule of law
Following Augustus Caesar, the Roman Empire enjoyed 200 years of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.
The Pax Romana
· Two centuries of peace and prosperity under imperial rule
· Expansion and solidification of the Roman Empire, particularly in the Near East
Economic impact of the Pax Romana
· Established uniform system of money, which helped to expand trade
· Guaranteed safe travel and trade on Roman roads
· Promoted prosperity and stability
Social impact of the Pax Romana
· Returned stability to social classes
· Increased emphasis on the family
Political impact of the Pax Romana
· Created a civil service
· Developed a uniform rule of law
The Church of Rome
Emperor Constantine
As the Roman Empire declined in the West, the Church of Rome grew in importance, followers, and influence.
Impact of the Church of Rome in the late Roman Empire
· The Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made it legal.
· Christianity later became the official state religion.
· The Church became a source of moral authority.
· Loyalty to the Church became more important than loyalty to the Emperor.
· The Church became the main unifying force of Western Europe.
Impact of the Church of Rome in the late Roman Empire
· The Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made it legal.
· Christianity later became the official state religion.
· The Church became a source of moral authority.
· Loyalty to the Church became more important than loyalty to the Emperor.
· The Church became the main unifying force of Western Europe.
Contributions of Ancient Rome Conquests and trade spread Roman cultural and technological achievements throughout the Empire.
Western civilization was influenced by the cultural achievements of Rome. Contributions of ancient Rome · Art and architecture: Pantheon, Colosseum, Forum · Technology: Roads, aqueducts, Roman arches · Science: Achievements of Ptolemy · Medicine: Emphasis on public health (public baths, public water systems, medical schools) · Language: Latin, Romance languages · Literature: Virgil’s Aeneid · Religion: Roman mythology; adoption of Christianity as the imperial religion · Law: The principle of “innocent until proven guilty” (from the Twelve Tables) |
Decline of Roman Empire
Decline of the Roman Empire (Fall of Rome)
Causes for the decline of the Western Roman Empire
· Geographic size: Difficulty of defense and administration
· Economy: The cost of defense, and devaluation of Roman currency
· Military: Army membership started to include non-Romans, resulting in decline of discipline
· Moral decay: People’s loss of faith in Rome and the family
· Political problems: Civil conflict and weak administration
· Invasion: Attacks on borders
Division of the Roman Empire
· Move of the capital by Constantine from Rome to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople
· Survival of the Western Roman Empire until 476 a.d. (c.e.), when it ceased to have a Roman Emperor
· Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire)
· Geographic size: Difficulty of defense and administration
· Economy: The cost of defense, and devaluation of Roman currency
· Military: Army membership started to include non-Romans, resulting in decline of discipline
· Moral decay: People’s loss of faith in Rome and the family
· Political problems: Civil conflict and weak administration
· Invasion: Attacks on borders
Division of the Roman Empire
· Move of the capital by Constantine from Rome to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople
· Survival of the Western Roman Empire until 476 a.d. (c.e.), when it ceased to have a Roman Emperor
· Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire)
Websites for Further Information and Games
http://www.rome.mrdonn.org/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/launch_gms_gladiator.shtml
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/ancientrome.htm
http://www.neok12.com/Ancient-Rome.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/romans/
http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/0076-ancient-rome.php
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/launch_gms_gladiator.shtml
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/ancientrome.htm
http://www.neok12.com/Ancient-Rome.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/romans/
http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/0076-ancient-rome.php