Pre-Christian Rome

1
Pre-Christian Rome
2
Romes Location

• Italian Peninsula
• Region of Latium (Latins)
• Tiber River

3
Early Rome

• Legendary founding(s)
• Aeneas and Trojans
• Romulus and Remus
• Monarchic period and Etruscan domination
• Rape of Lucretia

4
The Roman Republic (509-27)

• Major state elements
• Two consuls and other elected officials
• Senate small group of large landowners
• Social Classes
• Patricians vs. Plebeians
• Struggle of the Orders (494-287) tribunes,
  Twelve Tables, Lex Hortensia

5
Roman Expansion

• 396 first permanent conquest (Veii)
• Conquest of the Mediterranean
• Latium conquered by 338
• Italy conquered by 246
• Carthage (Punic Wars) and Corinth destroyed in 146

6
Roman Imperialism

• No master plan
• Opportunistic expansion
• Defensive expansion
• Change of motivation in 2nd century
• Economic benefits perceived
• Conquests become more brutal
• Long-term effects on Roman society

7
Republican Decline (133-31)

• Conquest of Eastern Med. continues
• Gracchi brothers and land reform
• Factions and civil wars
• Marius vs. Sulla
• Pompey vs. Julius Caesar
• Octavian vs. Marc Antony
• Battle of Actium (31)

8
Transition to Empire

• 27 restoration of Republic by Octavian
• Titles
• Augustus
• Princeps
• Pontifex maximus
• Foundation of power
• Popularity
• Control of armies

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Pax Romana (27 B.C. A.D. 180)

• Peace maintained within empire generally
• One-man rule more transparent
• Dynasties
• Julio-Claudians (Tiberius, Caligula, Nero)
• Flavians
• Good Emperors

10
The Empires Peak

• 3.5 million sq miles
• 50 million people
• Defensive policy beginning 2nd century
• Frontier weaknesses
• Dilution of army

11
Terrible Third Century

• Instability after 180
• Commodus (180-192)
• Septimius Severus, Severan dynasty (193-235)
• Military anarchy (235-284)
• 22 emperors in 50 years 20 died violently
• Military defeats Persians, Germans
• Population decline, economic collapse