La Republica Romana

The Roman Republic

• The early Romans established a republic, which grew powerful and spread its influence.
• Rome developed from a small settlement into a mighty civilization, conquering the Mediterranean world.
• Rome's origins are legendary, with Romulus and Remus, twin sons of the god Mars, attributed to founding the city in 753 B.C.
• Rome was strategically located on seven rolling hills along the Tiber River, in central Italy, and near the Mediterranean Sea.
• Early settlers in Italy included the Latins, Greeks, and Etruscans. The Latins are considered the first Romans.
• The Etruscans influenced Roman architecture (especially the use of the arch).

The Early Republic

• The last Roman king was Tarquin the Proud, who was expelled in 509 B.C.
• Following this, a republic was established.
• "Res publica," the Latin phrase, means "public affairs".
• Power in the republic rested with citizens who elected their leaders.
• Patricians, the wealthy landowners, initially held most power.
• Plebeians, the common farmers, artisans, and merchants, also were citizens, but often lacked the right to hold positions of power.
• Plebeians eventually gained the right to form their own assembly and elect representatives called tribunes.
• The Twelve Tables, established in 451 B.C., were a written law code intended to protect all free citizens.

Rome Expands Its Power

• Rome gradually increased its control in Italy.
• By 265 B.C., Rome dominated almost all of Italy.
• Rome treated different regions differently
• Rome's growing power put it into conflict with Carthage.
• The Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.) were a series of conflicts that resulted in Carthaginian defeat.
• Hannibal, a brilliant Carthaginian general, attempted to conquer Rome but was ultimately unsuccessful.
• Following victory, Rome's power spread significantly beyond Italy.

The Roman Empire

• Rome's internal problems and external pressures led to the collapse of the Republic.
• Economic issues such as rising inflation and growing disparities of wealth created tensions.
• Political instability and civil wars weakened the republic.
• Military leaders like Julius Caesar gained significant power, eventually leading to civil wars.
• Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C., further destabilizing Rome.
• A period of civil war followed Caesar's death.
• Augustus, Caesar's adopted son, emerged as the first Roman emperor and established the Roman Empire in 27 B.C.
• This period was called the Pax Romana (Roman Peace).
• The empire embraced most of the Mediterranean world.

The Rise of Christianity

• Christianity, originating in Roman-occupied Judea, emphasized a personal relationship with God, differing from impersonal Roman worship.
• Jesus, believed to be the Messiah, preached for three years.
• Christianity began as a Jewish sect but evolved into a separate religion.
• Jesus' followers, called apostles, spread his message throughout the Roman Empire.
• Persecution of Christians was commonplace during the empire's later periods.
• Emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity and the Edict of Milan (313 CE) ended persecution and allowed Christianity to flourish.
• Christianity became a major force in the Roman Empire and beyond.

The Fall of the Roman Empire

• Internal problems such as inflation and political instability led to decline.
• Military issues included unreliable legions and reliance on mercenaries.
• Economic problems hindered trade and caused food shortages.
• External pressures such as German invasions severely weakened the Western empire.
• The Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476 CE.
• The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire endured for centuries.
• The fall of Rome was a gradual process with multiple contributing factors.

Roman Culture and Roots of Western Civilization

• Roman culture borrowed heavily from Greek and Hellenistic cultures, creating a Greco-Roman culture.
• Romans developed fine arts (painting, sculpture, and mosaics).
• Romans excelled at building (aqueducts, roads) and engineering.
• Rome produced significant works of literature, including Virgil's Aeneid and Tacitus' histories.
• Roman law had enduring influence on later legal systems (e.g., concepts of innocence until proven guilty).
• Roman architectural themes (e.g., arch, dome, and concrete) were adopted and adapted in later European and American architecture.

Science and Technology

• Important Roman engineering projects included great buildings such as the Colosseum.
• Romans were masterful engineers and builders of large-scale public works.
• The Colosseum was a large amphitheater used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.