Untitled Quiz

Ancient Rome

• Located in the Latium plain, central-western Italy, a boot-shaped peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea
• Originated near the Tiber River, with fertile land ideal for agriculture
• Proximity to the sea, but sufficient distance from the coast for protection from pirates
• Served as a focal point for travelers from northern and southern Italy

Legend of Rome's Founding

• Mythical founding by Aeneas, a Trojan War hero who fled to Italy
• Romulus and Remus, twin sons of Rhea Silvia and the war god Mars, are said to have founded Rome
• Abandoned on the Tiber River, raised by a she-wolf, and later found by a shepherd named Faustulus
• Romulus killed Remus, becoming Rome's first king
• Romulus sought inhabitants, primarily men, and abducted Sabine women to increase the population

History of Rome's Founding

• Beginning in the 11th Century BCE, various Italic tribes, including the Latins, migrated to Italy
• Latins established the initial settlement in Rome during the mid-8th Century BCE
• Located on the Palatine Hill, one of seven hills near the Tiber River
• Rome began as one of Italy's city-states
• Latins (later Romans) were initially agrarian, not heavily militaristic

Etruscan Influence

• Romans were dominated by the Etruscans in the 7th century BCE
• Etruscans introduced political structures, like the Senate (a council of advisors to the king)
• Senate composed of patricians (wealthy, influential people)
• Common people (farmers, laborers, merchants) were plebeians

Rise of Roman Civilization

• Factors contributed to Rome's development from a small settlement
• Adoption of other cultures and settlements in Italy
  • Architecture, irrigation and drainage systems, and artistic styles from the Etruscans
  • Greek gods, mythology, and literature from the Greeks in southern Italy
• The Latin language
• Discipline and military prowess from the Sabines

Roman Monarchy

• Founded in 753 BCE
• Ruled by kings for over 200 years (excluding Romulus, a legendary figure)
• Kings handled state matters, legislation, judiciary, and the military
• Last three kings were Etruscans
• Tarquinius Superbus, the last king, was overthrown by the Romans due to his cruelty
• Romans established a new form of government: a republic

Roman Republic

• 509 BCE: Established after the expulsion of the last Etruscan king
• Republic: A government without a king, led by the Senate and Roman citizens
• Represented Roman citizens, and became a significant and strong foundation for their expansion and empire
• Consisted of the Senate and the Popular Assembly
  • Senate: Council of 300 patrician men, serving for life; provided advice
• Assembly: Legislative branch
  • Elected officials in short terms managed government affairs
    • Consul (highest officials; in charge of the state, military campaigns) (2 elected every year, splitting duties)
    • Praetor (second highest officials; took charge when consul were away, or handled judicial matters)
• Social structure: Patricians and plebeians
  • Patricians: wealthy families of senators from the monarchy era
  • Plebians: Freemen, commoners (like farmers, laborers, merchants)
  • Plebeians struggled for equal rights/political and social justice by the 5th century
    • Elected a Plebeian Council (471 BCE)
    • Allowed marriage between patricians and plebeians (445 BCE)
    • Plebeians could become consuls (with reforms)
• Decline of the Republic
  • Territorial expansion led to problems
  • Farmers, who were soldiers in the earlier years, returned home to land destroyed in wars or seized by elites
  • Loss of employment drove many to cities
  • Conflicts among those in power
    • Optimates (elites seeking to maintain power) versus Populares (reform-minded individuals)
    • Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus (leaders advocating for farmers) were murdered
  • Military leaders gained influence, ultimately undermining the republic itself
    • General Marius reformed the military, enlisting and promoting the poor, leading to greater loyalty in soldiers to generals than the state itself