Roman History PDF

Section 1 Objectives Describe the physical and cultural settings in which Roman civilization arose. Outline how the Roman republic was structured and governed. Understand the rights and religious practices that...

Section 1 Objectives Describe the physical and cultural settings in which Roman civilization arose. Outline how the Roman republic was structured and governed. Understand the rights and religious practices that characterized Roman society. Explain how the Roman republic grew and maintained its conquests. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 Terms and People Etruscans – the civilization that ruled northern Italy prior to the Romans republic – a form of government in which the people choose officials who make laws patrician – a member of the landed upper class that controlled positions in the Roman Senate consul – one of two patricians selected each term to supervise the business of government and command the armies The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 Terms and People (continued) dictator – a ruler who has complete control over the government plebeian – a member of the class of farmers, merchants, and artisans who made up most of the population of Rome tribune – an official elected to the Senate to protect plebeian interests veto – the ability of tribunes to block a law they found harmful to plebeians legion – the basic Roman military unit of 5,000 men The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 What values formed the basis of Roman society and government? Rome began as a small city in Italy and became ruler of the Mediterranean and beyond. The story of the Romans and how they built an empire begins with the land in which they lived. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 Unlike Greece, Italy Geography was not broken into helped to small valleys or divided unify Rome by rugged mountains. Broad fertile plains to the north and west supported a growing population. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 The Italian peninsula was centrally located in the Mediterranean Sea. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 About 800 B.C., the Latins migrated to Italy and settled along the Tiber River. Greek colonists to the south and Etruscans in the north shared the peninsula and contributed engineering and religious ideas to Roman civilization. Legend says Rome was founded by twin brothers, Remus and Romulus, the sons of a Latin woman and the god Mars, giving Romans divine origins. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 In 509 B.C., the Romans drove out the Etruscan rulers and established a republic. A republic: from the Latin Laws were made by 300 res publica, “that which land-holding, upper-class belongs to the people,” patricians who made up where people chose some the Senate. of the officials. The Romans felt a republic would prevent too much power from going to any one individual. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 Two patricians were selected to supervise the government and command the army each term. These two consuls only In times of war, a single served one term and dictator was given checked or limited each power, but only for six other’s power. months. The model dictator was Cincinnatus, who won a great battle, celebrated, and returned to his farm, all in 15 days. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 The legacy of ancient Rome was to give commoners a voice in government and safeguards on their rights. A majority of the Plebeians elected people were plebeian tribunes who could artisans, farmers, and veto laws. merchants. Laws were inscribed Plebeians demanded on stone tablets and the ability to question placed in the forum patrician judges. (marketplace) for all to read. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 Roman power grew over time. By 270 B.C. Rome had conquered the entire peninsula. Roman armies were: Made up of citizen soldiers Paid with a portion of the spoils Organized into 5,000 man legions Roman citizens made good soldiers because they were raised to value courage and loyalty and to respect authority. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 Romans treated most conquered people well. People were generally allowed to keep their customs, religion, money, and local government. Some were granted full or partial Roman citizenship. Some were allowed to marry Roman citizens and trade in Rome. As a result, many remained loyal to Rome. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 Rome took measures to consolidate its empire. Soldiers were posted throughout the land. Engineers built a system of all-weather roads. Trade and travel were encouraged, leading to the incorporation of Latin into the language of local peoples. Slowly, Italy united under Roman rule. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 The family was the basic unit of Roman society. The male head of the household had absolute authority. Women could own property and run businesses, but most worked at home. Children were educated. The wealthy often hired Greek tutors. The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 Roman mythology was similar to that of Greece with many gods and goddesses. Jupiter Juno Neptune Mars Ruled over The goddess The god of The god the sky and of marriage the seas of war other gods The Roman World Takes Shape Section 1 Section Review QuickTake Quiz Know It, Show It Quiz The Roman World Takes Shape