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Ancient and Classical Rome

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Early Settlers in Italy A. Latins - built villages on the hills of Rome B. Greeks - built villages on the island of Sicily (Romans borrowed literature, military systems, art, and architecture) C. Etrustcans - had military power and ambitious kings 1. Controlled northern Italy by 600 BC 2. Romans borrowed heavily from them a. Alphabet (borrowed from the Greeks) b. Road building c. Architecture d. Pottery-making e. Sanitation 3. Ruled Rome for 100 years and developed it into a great city Geography A. Italy occupies a boot-shaped peninsula that runs from southern Europe into the Mediterranean Sea B. Mostly hilly or mountainous (Alps in the north, Apennines along the boot) C. Some good farmland and fertile plains D. Roman geography 1. Lies about half way up the "boot" 2. Built on seven hills near the Tiber River (provided transportation, food, and fresh water) 3. Hills protected Romans from floods and enemy attacks The Republic A. Social Classes 1. Patricians [pater = father] a. Wealthy landowners b. Could hold governmental offices 2. Plebeians a. Commoners b. Were citizens, but could not hold offices c. Could not marry patricians or participate in some religious ceremonies d. Gained a political voice after threatening to stop serving in the army B. Republican Government 1. Supreme power rests with the people 2. Officials i. Consuls [one who is consulted] - two patricians who ran the government and army (held office for 1 year and could veto [I forbid] each other's actions) ii. The Senate - 300 member council of patricians who debated issues such as finances and foreign affairs iii. The Patrician Assembly - consisted of 10 tribunes who could veto the actions of the consul or the Senate C. Struggle for Equality 1. Plebeians forced patricians to write down Roman law in the 12 Tables 2. By 287 BC both groups had equal rights (could inter-marry, hold office in the Senate, etc.) but real power stayed with the patricians due to their wealth Roman Expansion A. Based on Roman desires to expand their land holdings 1. Done using legions (3000 - 6000 foot soldiers and 100 or more cavalry) 2. Could not have conquered Italy without help from neighbors a. Offered citizenship and protection in return for military service b. By 225 BC, half of Roman army = allies B. Punic Wars 1. Fought to gain control of the Mediterranean world 2. Enemy = Carthage, a city founded by Phoenicians [Punic = Latin for Phoenician] 3. 1st Punic War a. Rome = stronger army and built strong navy b. Rome wins and receives Sicily in treaty (becomes first Roman province - area outside of Italian peninsula) 4. 2nd Punic War a. Carthaginian general Hannibal invaded Rome from the north b. Crossed the Alps with war elephants to attack Italy c. Won important battles (including the Battle of Cannae where Hannibal pretended to retreat) but lost the war when Rome sent troops to attack Carthage d. Rome gained more land from Carthage in the treaty 5. 3rd Punic War a. Rome invaded Carthage in 146 BC for revenge b. Roman army burned Carthage to the ground and poured salt into the ground to prevent crops from growing C. Conquest of Macedonia 1. Rome attacked to gain control of the Hellenistic city-states 2. Also gained control of colonies in Asia Minor 3. By 133 BC, Rome controlled the entire Mediterranean Decline of the Republic A. Problems 1. Farm debts a. Prices dropped due to surplus food from conquered lands b. Farmers forced to sell to rich people with slaves 2. Unemployment a. Farmers moved to the city looking for work b. Formed a large urban poor population 3. Attempts at reform a. Tiberius Gracchus i. Called for a limit on the size of farms ii. Was killed in rioting when up for re-election b. Gaius Gracchus i. Gave grain to the poor ii. Opened up more land for farmers iii. Killed in fighting between his supporters and opponent Roman Military A. Formations/Organization 1. Centuries a. 80 - 100 men b. Infantry troops with 2 basic formations i. phalanx - rows of 10 by 10 with swords, shields, and spears ii. turtle - defensive formation w/ shields over head and around sides to protect from missile weapons 2. Cohorts a. Groups of 6 centuries b. Often housed together 3. Legions a. Composed of 10 cohorts (6,000 men) b. Also contained 120 mounted troops c. Led by a commander called a legate d. Were about 30 - 60 legions at any given time 4. Auxilia a. Usually composed of non-citizens b. Cavalry and light infantry c. Became citizens upon retirement 5. The Praetorian Guard a. Emperor's elite troops b. About 4,500 men c. Only worked inside the city limits of Rome Roman Cities A. Were generally overcrowded (vehicles often banned during the day) B. Fire was a constant threat C. Had standard buildings 1. Houses - were usually built in apartment blocks - poor lived in drafty 1 or 2 room slums - wealthy lived in elaborate multi-story homes with separate wings for servants 2. Forums - meeting places for political discussions and voting 3. Markets - specialized on particular goods 4. Temples - dedicated to each of the gods - largest would be for the city's patron god 5. Aqueducts - carried water from the hills into the cities; could even carry water uphill 6. Schools - were for rich males and gladiators (usually slaves) 7. Entertainment a. Circuses - race track for horses and chariots driven by slaves or nobles - would race 4 to 12 chariots at a time - could be a team event (Green, Blue, Red, and White) - Rome had 5 circuses - Circus Maximus could hold 250,000 spectators b. Colosseum - arena for events (concerts, gladiator fights, animal fighting battle and naval re-enactments - 3 different types of gladiators 1. Retiarius - large net and a trident 2. Thracian - small shield and a long dagger 3. Samnite - large shield, helmet, and sword - Best gladiator lasted 51 fights (Publius Ostorius) - Women could be gladiators until 200 AD - Rome's Colosseum could hold 50,000 people and opened in 80 AD a. Baths - places for nobles to exercise, relax, and discuss the issues of the day - often including changing rooms, weight rooms, ball courts, warm rooms (tepidariums), hot rooms (caldariums), cold rooms (frigidariums), saunas (laconicums), and massage rooms - separate hours for men and women Roman Religion A. Early religion = spirits, called numina, in everything B. Adopted Greek gods/goddesses as their own: 1. Zeus = Jupiter 2. Hera = Juno 3. Athena = Minerva 4. Ares = Mars 5. Apollo = Apollo 6. Hermes = Mercury 7. Artemis = Diana 8. Poseidon = Neptune 9. Aphrodite = Venus 10. Dionysius = Bacchus Rise of Caesar A. First Triumvirate 1. Group of military leaders who joined forces to take control of the failing republic in 60 BC 2. Gnaeus Pompey (wealthy and military might), Marcus Licinius Crassus (wealth and political connections), and Julius Caesar (political ability) 3. Worked together to make Caesar consul B. Caesar took power from the Triumvirate 1. Knew he needed the army’s support so he took control of Roman legions in Gaul 2. When ordered to return home, Caesar ignored and prepared for civil war 3. Caesar’s troops won the civil war [Veni, vidi, vici] and Caesar became sole dictator and consul of Rome in 46 BC 4. Made many popular reforms a. Lowered taxes b. Gave land to veterans c. Granted citizenship to people outside of Italy d. Instituted a more accurate calendar (Julian calendar) 5. Popularity led to Caesar being named dictator for life C. Caesar’s popularity scared senators 1. Feared he would eliminate the Senate and end the Republic 2. Stabbed to death by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius in the Senate on the Ides of March in 44 BC [Et tu Brute] Julius Caesar’s Achievements A. Added Gaul to Roman territory (55 - 54 BC) B. Returned to Rome a military hero in 46 BC C. Had himself named dictator and consul D. Ran the government without the consent of the Senate E. Moved 100,000 veterans to new colonies and gave them land F. Granted citizenship to people outside Italy despite public disapproval of recognizing barbarians G. Put Julian calendar into effect H. Conquered Asia Minor, Syria, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands I. Reorganized city government Rise of the Roman Empire A. End of the Republic 1. Caesar’s death led to the formation of the Second Triumvirate a. Mark Antony, Lepidus, Octavian (Caesar’s adopted son) b. Defeated the armies of Brutus and Cassius 2. Octavian and Mark Antony became enemies a. Mark Antony and his wife Cleopatra wanted to return Egypt to power b. Octavian beat their navies and became the sole ruler of Rome and established the Roman Empire B. Age of Augustus 1. Octavian takes control in 31 BC - given title Augustus (“honored and majestic) 2. Problems  Reforms a. Ambitious military leaders A. takes charge of the army himself b. Disunity granted citizenship to provinces and tightened control over potential trouble spots c. Lack of values  Passed laws to encourage marriage; sponsored roads and water projects to improve daily life Roman Military A. Formations/Organization 1. Centuries a. 80 - 100 men b. Infantry troops with 2 basic formations i. phalanx - rows of 10 by 10 with swords, shields, and spears ii. turtle - defensive formation w/ shields over head and around sides to protect from missile weapons 2. Cohorts a. Groups of 6 centuries b. Often housed together 3. Legions a. Composed of 10 cohorts (6,000 men) b. Also contained 120 mounted troops c. Led by a commander called a legate d. Were about 30 - 60 legions at any given time 4. Auxilia a. Usually composed of non-citizens b. Cavalry and light infantry c. Became citizens upon retirement 5. The Praetorian Guard a. Emperor’s elite troops b. About 4,500 men c. Only worked inside the city limits of Rome C. Uniform (see Kids Discover: Roman Empire) 1. Consisted of helmet and armor 2. Designed to protect as well as allow freedom of movement B. Forts 1. Used to house troops 2. Some were large enough for entire legions 3. Also used as defensive formations along the frontier of the empire 4. Had the same basic layout (see overhead) i. Barrack blocks ii. Barracks of 1st cohort with houses for centurions iii. Granaries iv. Headquarters building v. Legate’s house vi. Hospital vii. Tribune’s houses viii. Wall and ditch Pax Romana A. Rulers 1. Augustus (31 BC - 14 AD) - Julius Caesar’s adopted son 2. Tiberius (14 BC - 37 AD) - effective leader 3. Caligula (37 AD - 41 AD) - appointed horse as consul; assasinated by royal guard 4. Claudius (41 AD - 54 AD) - added Britain to the Empire 5. Nero (54 AD - 68 AD) - suspected of starting a fire that burned Rome down in 64 AD [Nero fiddled while Rome burned]; committed suicide 4 years later 6. Vespasian (69 - 79 AD) - restored order to the army and Empire; put down rebellion in Judea (rather than surrender to Romans, the Masada Jews burned their possessions and committed suicide) 7. Trajan (98 - 117 AD) - first of the “Good Emperors”; expanded the Empire to its largest size 8. Hadrian (117 - 138) - focus was protecting the frontiers; put down another rebellion in Judea and re-named the province Syria Palestina and encouraged non-Jews to settle in the area 9. Marcus Aurelius ( - 180) - a scholar by nature; last emperor of Pax Romana B. Achievements 1. Peace and Order - good governors, officials, and judges 2. Prosperity - built roads, harbors, hundreds of cities, and trade routes to lands as far away as China 3. Unity - 70 million people all followed the same Roman customs; learned to speak Latin, one set of laws, one system of weights and measures, and one ruler. Roman Cities A. Were generally overcrowded (vehicles often banned during the day) B. Fire was a constant threat C. Had standard buildings 1. Houses - were usually built in apartment blocks - poor lived in drafty 1 or 2 room slums - wealthy lived in elaborate multi-story homes with separate wings for servants 2. Forums - meeting places for political discussions and voting 3. Markets - specialized on particular goods 4. Temples - dedicated to each of the gods - largest would be for the city’s patron god 5. Aqueducts - carried water from the hills into the cities; could even carry water uphill 6. Schools - were for rich males and gladiators (usually slaves) 7. Entertainment a. Circuses - race track for horses and chariots driven by slaves or nobles - would race 4 to 12 chariots at a time - could be a team event (Green, Blue, Red, and White) - Rome had 5 circuses - Circus Maximus could hold 250,000 spectators b. Colosseum - arena for events (concerts, gladiator fights, animal fighting battle and naval re-enactments - 3 different types of gladiators 1. Retiarius - large net and a trident 2. Thracian - small shield and a long dagger 3. Samnite - large shield, helmet, and sword - Best gladiator lasted 51 fights (Publius Ostorius) - Women could be gladiators until 200 AD - Rome’s Colosseum could hold 50,000 people and opened in 80 AD a. Baths - places for nobles to exercise, relax, and discuss the issues of the day - often including changing rooms, weight rooms, ball courts, warm rooms (tepidariums), hot rooms (caldariums), cold rooms (frigidariums), saunas (laconicums), and massage rooms - separate hours for men and women Roman Religion A. Early religion = spirits, called numina, in everything B. Adopted Greek gods/goddesses as their own: 1. Zeus = Jupiter 2. Hera = Juno 3. Athena = Minerva 4. Ares = Mars 5. Apollo = Apollo 6. Hermes = Mercury 7. Artemis = Diana 8. Poseidon = Neptune 9. Aphrodite = Venus 10. Dionysius = Bacchus Roman Achievements A. Literature 1. Virgil’s Aeneid - praises Roman governing ability (epic poem) 2. Livy’s History of Rome B. Art 1. Jewelry 2. Sculpture - carved every detail (even more realistic than Greeks) 3. Wall paintings C. Architecture 1. Tools a. Arches b. Columns c. Domes 2. Structures a. Roads - multiple layers; some still used today b. Bridges - used arches to span rivers; many still in use c. Aqueducts - used inverted siphon to move water uphill D. Science - Ptolemy - heliocentric solar system; summary of astronomy and geography (Almagest) E. Law 1. Improved democratic participation during the Republic 2. Reason and justice should protect citizens and their property 3. Law of Nations applied to all people in the empire regardless of their nationality 4. Cicero - “We are the servants of the law in order that we may be free.” Fall of Rome A. Structural Weaknesses in the Empire 1. Bad leaders (26 in 50 years) a. No stability b. Constant civil wars drained the imperial treasury c. Emperors had to raise taxes resentment revolts and riots downfall of the cities 2. Lack of loyalty to the Empire 3. Men enlisted in the army for spoils (not for the glory or protection of the Empire) 4. Fall of the Money Economy - value of the coins lowered to save money, but caused people to distrust coins 5. Empire was too large to govern effectively B. Reforms 1. Diocletian (284 BC) a. You must follow your father’s occupation b. Farmers must stay on their land c. Raised taxes to pay the government’s bills d. Officials given a quota for the taxes they had to collect and were given more power e. Appointed a co-ruler for the western parts of the Empire 2. Constantine (330 BC) a. Built a new capital at Constantinople for the eastern regions b. Completed the split of the Empire into the Western and Eastern Roman Empires (all but destroyed the western regions because they relied on the east economically) C. Final Downfall 1. Brought on by barbarian invasions a. Visigoths - hid in Rome from the Huns, but later turned against the Romans and attacked them; looted Rome in 410; won Spain and Gaul b. Huns - tried to conquer Rome in 451 and 452 but were defeated by an alliance of Rome’s army and friendly Germanic tribes; led by Attila c. Vandals - looted Rome in 455; Odoacer declares himself king of Italy ending the Western Roman Empire d. Ostrogoths - overthrew the Vandals in 493 and restored peace and prosperity due to support from the Eastern Roman Empire 2. Specific causes a. Weakened army - mercenaries did not care about preserving Rome b. Smaller population - meant fewer soldiers, taxpayers, and farmers c. Oppressive government - people resented high taxes and forced labor needed to maintain defenses against Germanic tribes d. Declining farms and cities - barbarians scared farmers off their land, wealthy people bought the land and moved out of the city; left the cities without strong leadership e. Stagnant economy - fighting stopped trade, slave labor took jobs away from commoners, unemployment meant goods went unpurchased which further slowed down business f. Loss of confidence - failure of leaders made people worry about themselves instead of the Empire (every man for himself); many people decided that Rome was no longer worth defending

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