Italy - Section 1

Greek contact with Italians

Italians first came into contact with the Greeks around 900 BC.

Greek farming communities

Greeks set up farming communities in southern Italy.

Sicily

An island southwest of the Italian Peninsula where Greeks settled. Sicily

Greek alphabet

The Greeks introduced the Greek alphabet to the Italians.

Italian Peninsula

A boot-shaped peninsula located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, almost at the east-west midpoint.

Trade location

Italy’s location made it an ideal center for trade among Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Italian land features

Italy had rich soil, a mild climate, and was about ¾ covered in mountains.

Effect of mountains

Mountains isolated Italians from one another.

Alps

Mountains in the north that cut off land connections, forcing Italians to turn to sea trade.

Etruscans

A group that ruled northern Italy from 900–500 BC.

Etruscan alphabet

Came from the Greeks, but only a few words can be read today.

Etruscan labor system

Used a slave labor force made up of conquered people.

620 BC

The year the Etruscans gained control of Rome.

Forum

A square at the center of the city created by the Etruscans that became the seat of Roman government.

Etruscan religious influence

Built temples and taught Romans religious rituals.

Etruscan economic impact

Made Rome very wealthy.

Roman culture

Influenced by both the Greeks and the Etruscans.

Patricians

A wealthy class that came to power under Etruscan rule.

Plebeians

The majority of people in Rome, including wealthy townspeople, landowners, merchants, shopkeepers, small farmers, and laborers.

Roman citizenship

Both patricians and plebeians were citizens and had the right to vote.

What did patricians declare Rome

A republic in which the people elect their leaders

Political limits on plebeians

Plebeians could not hold public office.

Tribunes

Representatives chosen to protect plebeian interests.

Roman Republic

A community in which people elect their leaders.

Branches of government

The Roman Republic had executive and legislative branches.

Legislative branch

Included the Assembly of Centuries and the Senate.

Assembly of Centuries

Elected officials for the executive branch.

Senate

A group of 300 men who served for life and acted as advisors.

Patrician control

Both legislative bodies were controlled by patricians.

Consuls

Two patrician officials elected to one-year terms.

Consul powers

Could veto decisions and oversee other executive officials.

Dictator

A ruler whose word was law, appointed temporarily during a crisis, and could overrule consuls.

Plebeian resentment

Plebeians were angry over their lack of power.

Plebeian importance

The republic could not function without plebeians.

494 BC

Plebeians refused to fight in the Roman army unless changes were made.

Tribune powers

Tribunes received legal protection and the right to veto.

Debt reform

Enslavement for debt was ended.

Marriage reform

Marriage between plebeians and patricians was allowed.

451 BC

The year Roman laws were written down as the Twelve Tables.

Twelve Tables

Laws engraved on 12 bronze tablets and placed in the Forum.

Importance of the Twelve Tables

Became the basis for all future Roman law.

Harsh laws

Some laws were strict, but applied to everyone.

Legal principle

Established that all free citizens had the right to legal protection.

Roman religion

Romans worshiped nature spirits they believed were gods and goddesses.

Greek influence on religion

Romans borrowed Greek deities and gave them Roman names.

Venus

Roman goddess of love, based on the Greek goddess Aphrodite.

Roman family

The basic unit of Roman society.

Father’s role

The father was head of the household.

Father’s powers

Controlled property, education, and religious ceremonies, and could sell family members into slavery.

Roman women

Had few legal rights, but more freedom than Greek women.

Roman values

All Romans shared the same core values.