Roman History

1
Roman History A Brief Review

• Origins of Rome --- 753 BC
• Rise of the Republic --- 509 BC
• Shift to Empire --- 44 BC to 31 BC
• Roman Empire --- 31 BC AD 476

2
Early History

1. The foundation myth Romulus Remus, the seven
   hills
2. The Etruscans tribal villages on the Italian
   Peninsula
3. Influence of Greek immigrants in Sicily and the
   southern portion of Italy
4. Phoenician Traders est. city in North Africa
   called Carthage

3
Rise of the Republic

1. Cincinnatus 509 BC
2. SPQR Senatus Publius Quo Romanus
3. City of Rome evolves Romans take over the
   peninsula
4. Role of Farmer-soldiers
5. Republic Government 2 Consuls, elaborate system
   of govt officials

4
The Punic Wars 264-146 BC

1. Romans control Italian Peninsula
2. Begin fighting for control of key islands,
   Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica against Carthage
   (larger older empire centered in North Africa)
3. Series of 3 wars. Rome defeats Carthage
4. Sets stage for Rome to control the Mediterranean
   Sea
5. Importance of maintaining a large army
   year-round professionalized army soldiers

5
The Punic Wars -- Results

1. Professionalized army
2. Need for strategic military commanders to
   maintain dominance of expanding lands.
3. Ex. Scipio needed to defeat Hannibal
4. More tax and wealth needed to maintain army and
   soldiers
5. Rome is slowly expanding around the Mediterranean

6
The Punic Wars -- Results

1. Soldiers need retirement funds and lands
2. Rise of the military commanders who will look
   after their men more success for commander
   better legions
3. Powerful military leaders arise Marius, Sulla,
   Crassus, Pompey, Caesar
4. Power shift from loyalty to the state to loyalty
   to ones commander
5. Powerful Generals use this to their advantage

7
The Rise of the Dictator

1. Julius Caesar a) uses propaganda of his military
   successes in Gaul to influence the Roman people.
   b) Recognizes the importance of loyalty from the
   soldiers
2. Caesar defeats other key Roman commanders
   (Pompey, Crassus) in civil wars, declares himself
   Dictator for Life 49 BC
3. Assassinated in 44 BCanother civil war breaks
   out
4. Mark Antony and Cleopatra vs. Octavian 31 BC
5. Ultimate winner Octavian, who becomes the first
   Emperor of Rome. Takes the title Augustus

8
The Roman Empire 31BC-AD476

1. Pax Romana Roman Peace the reign of Augustus
   solidifies the Empire.
2. Augustus dies AD 14
3. Biblical times in the Middle East. Rise of
   Christianity. Birth of Christ, etc.
4. Rome prosperous.ruled by successful emperors.
   Empire continues to expand under Tiberius,
   Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, etc.

9
The Roman Empire

1. Empire at its height at the time of Marcus
   Aurelius AD 161-180
2. Beginning with Commodus slow decline. Less
   capable emperors, assassination plots, etc. etc.
3. Highlights include reigns of Diocletian,
   Constantine.
4. Empire splits in half East centered in
   Constantinople, west in Rome

10
The Downfall AD 300s-400s

1. Series of weak emperors
2. Empire too large to manage
3. Borders always being pushed on by barbarians,
   Gauls, Huns, Vandals, Slavs, Visigoths
4. Taxes continually increase
5. Rome runs out of resources coinage diluted,
   farming stretched, road systems, aquaducts,
   cities too expensive to maintain.