Rome Study Guide

: Rome Notes, Rise of Rome, Julius Caesar Activity, and Emperor Notes and Activity. 

Study Guide: The Rise of Rome and Influential Figures

Influence of Early Peoples on Rome

• Greeks: Settled in Italy, influencing the Romans with:

  • Alphabet

  • Culture: Art, literature, and architecture.

• Etruscans: Contributed significantly to Rome’s development by influencing:

  • Dress: Toga and short cloak.

• Transition to Republic: Etruscan Rule lasted until 509 BC, after which Romans established a Republic:

  • Not ruled by a monarch; some citizens had the right to vote.

  • Rome defeated the Greeks in the south and Etruscans in the north, controlling virtually all of Italy.

  • Roman Confederation provided soldiers in exchange for citizenship.

Roman Political Structure

• Distrust of Kingship after Etruscan rule.

• Divided into two groups:

  • Patricians: Powerful landowners with government control.

  • Plebeians: Lower class, often casualties of war.

• Citizenship: Both groups paid taxes and owed military service.

Government Officials

• Consuls: Chief executive officers.

• Praetors: Focused on civil law.

• Roman Senate: 300 patricians serving for life who advised government officials and later gained law-making power.

• People's Assemblies:

  • Centuriate Assembly: Elected chief officials, organized by wealth.

  • Council of plebs gained the right to pass laws by 287 BC.

Roman Law

• Twelve Tables: Addressed trials, judgment, inheritance, and property.

• Law of Nations: Developed rights such as innocent until proven guilty and the right to defend oneself based on reason and evidence.

Roman Expansion

• First Punic War (264 BC): Rome built a navy and defeated Carthage; gained its first province.

• Second Punic War: Led by Hannibal, pushed him to retreat by attacking Carthage; Rome gained control over Spain.

Summary of Julius Caesar's Life and Legacy

• Background: Born in 100 BC; prominent general and statesman during political instability.

• Key Career Moments:

  • Governor of Farther Spain (61 BC): Gained wealth and military experience.

  • Formation of the First Triumvirate: Joined forces with Pompey and Crassus.

  • Governorship of Gaul (58-50 BC): Expanded Roman influence through successful campaigns.

• Clash with the Senate: Civil war led to his victory and appointment as dictator in 46 BC.

• Assassination (44 BC): Led to significant changes in Roman governance.

Legacy

• Remembered as a military leader and reformer, his death catalyzed the shift from Republic to Empire.

Summary of the Roman Empire's Rise

• Origins: Evolved from a small village in Italy into a powerful civilization.

• Key Factors of Rise:

  • Strategic Location: Natural defenses and trading advantages.

  • Military Strength: Discipline and advanced engineering facilitated troop movement.

• Significant Figures:

  • Julius Caesar: Expanded territory; became dictator.

  • Augustus: First emperor; initiated the Pax Romana.

Pax Romana

• Duration: Lasted around 200 years (27 BC - 180 AD).

• Significance: Marked by stability, cultural flourishing, economic prosperity, and improved living conditions.

The Roman Approach to Religion

• Inclusion of Diverse Beliefs: Fostered loyalty and reduced resistance.

• Cult of Emperor Worship: Promoted unity.

• Integration of Local Deities: Facilitated smoother governance.

The Fall of the Roman Empire

• Date: Traditionally considered to have fallen in 476 AD, with the Western Roman Empire ending while the Eastern Roman Empire continued until 1453 AD.

• Imperial Traits: Expansionist nature, diverse cultures, centralized authority, military dominance, and legal innovations.

Timeline of Events Leading to the Transition from Republic to Empire

• 509 BC: Establishment of the Roman Republic.

• by the second century the senate became the real governing body of the roman state

• Rise of large estates that used slave labor (large class of landless poor)

• public land reform bills that opened door for more instability

• 264-146 BC: The Punic Wars expand Roman territory and military power

  governors gained power .

• 100 BC: Birth of Julius Caesar.

• first triumvirate (three people with equal power)

• crassius killed leaving pompey and Caesar,

• Caesar waged civil way on pompey, won and was now in total control

• 44BC Caesar was assassinated

• second triumvirate formed (octaviun, Antony, and lepidus)

• civil war broke out between octaviun and antony (and cleopatra)

• octaviun won and republic ended

• Octavian named changed to Augustus( meaning imperator)

• 27 BC: Establishment of the Roman Empire with Augustus as emperor.

• 27 BC - 180 AD: Pax Romana period.( Augustan age)