Ancient Rome
· Etruscans
o Most influential of roman civilizations
o Settles in modern day Tuscany
o Held similar religious beliefs to the Greeks in that gods interfered with lives of man and evil spirits could have an effect on daily life
o Etruscan women had more autonomy
o Utilized advanced military weaponry and expanded their territory
o Became most well known for their antiquity, metal working, and trading power
· Early Roman Government
o Monarchy at first
o Imperium: the right to issue and enforce laws and commands
o Kings were not the only governing body
o Senate made up of 300 members
o Curiate Assembly made up of 30 groups of citizens and only met upon the king’s summoning
· The Republic
o People were unhappy with the king and revolted, led to Rome governing as a Republic. Developed a constitution and became the centralized power in Italy
o Following the fall of the monarchy Consuls who has similar power to kings would rule for only 1 year. Citizens has more say in the actions of the rulers
· Punic War/Hannible/Cannae/Zama/Scipio
o Punic War: war began in Sicily and lasted for 20 years. Naval power propelled them to victory and treaty was signed in Carthage. Carthage broke treaty. Rome wanted to renegotiate. Carthage paid taxes and were not granted citizenship. Basically, they were hostages.
o Hannible: Hannible wanted revenge. Most known for his war elephants. Successfully invaded Rome’s countryside.
o Cannae: happens at the heigh of the second punic war. Hannible has already invaded Rome. Rome has been unable to defeat Hannible, elect Maximus as dictator, refuses to fight Hannible outright. Maximus leads army of 80,000 soldiers at Cannae in Phalanx. Hannible has such overwhelming strength he surrounds the Roman soldiers and crushes them
o Scipio: reforms roman army so much they are able to defeat Hannible
· Slaver/Gladiators
· Julius Caeser
o Very good politician, rose quickly through the ranks. Moved him to control Spain so he wouldn’t work his way into a consulship
o Part of the first “Triumphant” with Crassus and Pompey
o Packed the senate with over 900 people who supported him, killed Pompey, changed the calendar, appointed himself dictator for life
o Murdered by his friends, turned into a 13 year long civil war
· Empire/Emperors
o Rome after Octavian goes through a period of growth with emperors
o Rome is ruled by either two or three emperors at a time later in history b/c its such a large empire
o Its ungovernable as one large entity, which is why they split the power
· Mark Antony
o Left out in the cold when Rome falls to Augustus/Octavian
o Past Julius Ceaser (no clear leadership until Octavian)
o Octavian and Mark Antony both trying for the Throne
o Advisor to Ceaser and was given Egypt by Caeser
o Says he will reestablish the senate, ensure empirical powers aren’t bad, and continue to build Rome if he is given the empire
o Octavian sends his loyalists to Egypt where they chase Mark Antony and Cleopatra who commit suicide to avoid being captured by Octavian’s forces
· Tacitus
o Works focused on emperors of Rome and various expansions of the Roman empire including his works Britannica and Germania
o Used secondary sources only
· Christianity in Rome
o Story of Jesus took place in Rome
o Christianity persecuted by romans b/c they did not worship the emperor