Roman Republic and Beginnings

Chapter 7: Ancient Rome Notes

Roman Republic and Beginnings:
founded by twin brothers Romulus and Remus
settled on seven hills, along banks of Tiber river (easy to defend, fertile soil)
Republic-
Most powerful was senate, made up of patricians,
Plebians (ordinary citizens, wanted respect and equal treatment)
End of Republic, because of fighting, Julius Caesar came to power as dictator
Too much power, and he was murdered by senators (March 15, 44 B.C.- "Ides of March")

The Roman Empire
After Caesar Augustus came to power- Rome's empire from Britain to Mesopatamia
Created provinces in their empire, each with a governor, conquered people remained free
After Augustus died, good and bad rulers (Caligula, Nero)
Age of 5 Good Rulers- Hadrian was the best, Marcus Aurelius last

Daily Life of Ancient Romans
rich - had country estates (villas),
poor- lived in apartment houses, no running water, jobless, lots of fires in Rome, very dirty, poor ate a lot of bread, ,wheat beg for food
all enjoyed the games at Colosseum (circuses- fighting people, gladiators, animals)
Family life- strong family values, gov't rewarded parents who had many children, father had absolute power, women's role depended on wealth (more money more freedom)
Slaves- slaves almost no rights, part of homes, farms, army

Roman Achievements
Architecture and Technology- ideas from Greece, used arches (Pantheon), invented concrete,
Bulit Colosseum (50,000 people, used for fighting, and ship battles), Circus Maximus for chariot racing, aqueducts,
Roman roads- "All roads lead to Rome"
Roman Law- an early form of the Bill of Rights (Justinian Code), have to face your accusers, "Beyond a shadow of doubt"

Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii
Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D.- buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculeaneam
Warning signs came for years before
People believed this was the anger of the Roman Gods
Pompeii was discovered March 23, 1748, excavations still continuing today
Pliny the Younger was a live witness who wrote down what he saw

Christianity
Believed in only 1 true God, God is loving and forgiving, holy book is the Bible
Romans allowed them to practice own religion, but as opposition to Rome grew, Rome became fearful and punished them
Jesus’ teachings alarmed many people, Roman ruler condemned Jesus to death
Christianity spread all over, Christians refused to worship Roman Gods
Nero began first part of persecuting Christians (sent them to their death, such as Colosseum)
Many Romans began to admire the Christians, eventually they adopted it as the official religion

7. Fall of Rome

trouble began with Commodus, savage ruler, very bad
One reason- after Commodus, rulers were weak and corrupt (stole money, economy fell, gov't crumbled)
Second reason- size of the empire was too big, could not rule from one place
Third Reason- stop conquering, no new money coming in, heavy taxes and food was scarce, gov't produced more money but it was of less value (inflation)
Consatantine took over and proclaimed Christianity the religion, moved capital to Byzantium, after he died Rome fell apart

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Roman Republic and Beginnings

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