Concise Notes on The Roman World

The Etruscans

  • Etruscans influenced early Rome with urban structures and cultural elements.
  • Etruscan civilization developed in northern Italy by 800 BCE.

Founding of Rome

  • Rome founded on April 21, 753 BCE (traditional date).
  • Romulus and Remus, legendary founders, raised by a she-wolf.
  • Romulus established the Senate.

Roman Monarchy (753-509 BCE)

  • Seven kings ruled Rome; the last three may have been Etruscan.

Roman Republic (509-27 BCE)

  • Established after revolt against kings; Senate became the main power.
  • Executive power held by two consuls elected for one-year terms.
  • The Senate advised consuls, managed finances, and handled foreign relations; membership was for life.
  • Patricians (aristocracy) held privileged status; Plebians (commoners) gained political rights over time.
  • Roman law codified in 449 BCE as the Laws of the Twelve Tables.

Roman Expansion

  • Conquest of Italy by 265 BCE; built roads for communication and troop movement.
  • Punic Wars (264-133 BCE) against Carthage; Rome gained control of the Mediterranean.
  • Hannibal's invasion of Italy in 218 BCE; Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal in 202 BCE.
  • Professional army developed; soldiers promised land for service.

Social Aspects

  • The paterfamilias (male head) was central to Roman families.
  • Slavery was integral; slaves performed various labor roles.
  • Spartacus led a famous slave revolt in 73 BCE.

Decline of the Republic

  • Civil wars due to generals vying for power; Sulla became dictator in 81 BCE.
  • First Triumvirate: Pompey, Crassus, and Julius Caesar.
  • Julius Caesar conquered Gaul; crossed the Rubicon in 49 BCE, leading to civil war.
  • Caesar declared dictator for life; assassinated in 44 BCE.

Rise of the Empire

  • Second Triumvirate: Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus.
  • Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BCE.
  • Octavian became Augustus in 27 BCE, initiating the Roman Empire.
  • Augustus promoted the Pax Romana, a period of peace and prosperity.

Roman Empire

  • The empire reached its greatest extent by 117 CE under Emperor Trajan.
  • Provinces established for administration; Roman army recruited from conquered areas.
  • Trade and industry flourished; Roman culture influenced provinces.
  • The pantheon of Roman and Greek deities was worshiped.
  • Religion and state intertwined; emperors seen as semi-divine.

Christianity

  • Jesus of Nazareth preached during the reign of Tiberius.
  • Teachings based on Hebrew Scripture; executed by Pontius Pilate.
  • St. Paul of Tarsus spread Christianity; welcomed non-Jewish Gentiles.
  • Constantine recognized Christianity; Edict of Milan granted religious tolerance.
  • Theodosius made Nicene Christianity the official religion in 380.

Decline and Fall

  • Crisis of the Third Century: political instability and foreign invasions.
  • Diocletian divided the empire in 293.
  • Constantine reunited the empire; moved capital to Constantinople.
  • The Huns pushed Visigoths across the Danube in 376.
  • Attila the Hun ravaged the Balkans.
  • In 410, the Visigoths sacked Rome.
  • In 476, Odoacer deposed Romulus Augustus, ending the Western Roman Empire.
  • Reasons for the fall: Christianity, Germanic invasions, economic problems.

Legacy

  • Germanic tribes formalized control over Western Roman territories.
  • Roman culture, language, and religion influenced successor states.

Timeline of Roman History

  • Monarchy: 753-509 BCE
  • Republic: 509-27 BCE
  • Empire: 27 BCE-476 CE