The World of the Romans

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The World of the Romans

• The Founding of Rome

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The Impact of Geography

• Rome was in a perfect location for an Empire
• The Apennine mountains protected but did not
  isolate
• Vast plains of farmland able to support a large
  population
• Located along the Tiber River
• Inland for protection from invasion
• Easy access to the Mediterranean
• Centrally located in the Mediterranean

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Foundations of Roman Civilization

• Greeks colonized Italy during the dark age (750
  BC 500 BC)
• The Etruscans settled in Latium from the North

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Development of the Republic (753 BC - 509 BC)

• Rome was founded around 753 BC
• Early Romans lived in huts in the nearby hills
• Lived as herders and farmers
• Rome fell under the influence of the Etruscans
  for about 100 years
• The Etruscan influence helped Rome build the tiny
  village into a large city
• In 509 BC Romans overthrew the last of seven
  Etruscan kings and established a republic

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Roman Values

• Virtus (literally virtue)
• A primary masculine quality
• Courage, strength, and loyalty
• Wisdom and moral purity
• Self control and perseverance
• Living morally was a citizens duty to the state

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Roman Values

• The Impact of Roman Values
• Old tested by time
• New dangerous and unproven
• Romans believed that values should drive politics
• Selfless service to the community
• Individual honor and public status
• Nothing is above the law
• Shared decision making
• Divine destiny to bring order and morality to the
  world

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Roman Values

• These values created a system of public and
  private relationships (patronage and families)
  that united and solidified roman culture
• These values contradicted one another in the long
  run

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The Early Republic

• Romans had a great mistrust of monarchy
• The Republic was not without conflicts
• A rift between rich and poor
• The Struggle of the Orders
• Development of Assemblies
• The Law of the Twelve Tables

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Politics of the Republic

• Roman values were supposed to motivate men to
  serve the public for respect and glory
• Politicians received no salary and were expected
  to spend their own money on public works and
  entertainment
• Over time, money became the primary motivator
  creating a rift between patricians (rich land
  owners) and plebeians (average citizens)

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Politics of the Republic

• The Ladder of Offices
• Ten years of military service
• Quaestor financial administrator
• Aediles supervisor of public works
• Praetors judicial and military duties
• Consuls commander of the army, highest
  political honor
• Censors some ex-consuls became censors who
  conducted a census and select senetors

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Expansion of Roman Influence(509 BC - 264 BC)

• Early struggles with other Latin groups and the
  Samnites gave Rome control over central Italy by
  340 BC
• Conquered Greeks settlements in Southern Italy by
  267 BC
• Defeated the Etruscans in the north for total
  control of Italy

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Conquest of the Mediterranean(264 BC - 133 BC)

• Roman expansion created conflict with Carthage, a
  Phoenician colony in North Africa
• Carthage had created a vast trading empire in the
  Western Mediterranean

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Conquest of the Mediterranean(264 BC - 133 BC)

• The First Punic War (264 BC to 261 BC)
• Rome and Carthage clashed over control of Sicily
• Rome created a large navy and defeated Carthage
• Sicily became the first Roman province

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Conquest of the Mediterranean(264 BC - 133 BC)

• The Second Punic War (218 BC to 201 BC)
• Carthage wanted revenge for loss of Sicily
• Carthage sent their greatest general, Hannibal,
  through Spain to invade Italy
• Rome decided to invade Carthage rather than face
  Hannibal head on
• Rome defeated Carthage and gained control of
  Spain

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Hannibal Crosses the Alps
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Conquest of the Mediterranean(264 BC - 133 BC)

• The Third Punic War
• For years after the second war, Romans were
  calling for the destruction of Carthage
• In 146 BC Roman soldiers invaded Carthage and
  tore it to the ground
• Carthage became a new Roman province in North
  Africa

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Roman Expansion

• Rome had also been involved in Hellenistic
  affairs and conquered Macedonia in 148 BC
• By 133 BC Rome had also conquered Greece and
  Pergamum

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The Roman Republic 44 b.c.
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The Roman State

• The Roman Confederation
• Some people became citizens of the Empire
• Other people became Roman allies
• Were free to run their own local affairs
• Must provide soldiers for the army
• Had hope of improving status with loyalty

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Why were the Romans Successful?

• Characteristics of Roman Rule
• Practical
• Tolerant to a point
• Ruthless when necessary
• Lust for conquest
• Orderly in the law
• Diplomatic
• Strong and Persistent Military
• Innovative