Rome

1
Rome

• 6.1

2
Geography and People of Italy

• Italian Peninsula
• Central Mediterranean
• Broad, fertile plains
• Apennine Mts.
• Rome is centrally located

3
People Latins and Greeks

• Latins
• Migrated about 800 B.C.
• Settled along Tiber river in small villages along
  the 7 hills
• Greeks
• City states along the S. tip

4
People Etruscans

• Ruled much of central Italy, including Rome
• Adapted Greek alphabet, passed it on to the
  Romans
• Use of the arch
• Developed engineering techniques
• Etruscan religion blended with Roman

5
The Founding

• Alba Longa
• City near Rome
• Rhea Silvia
• Vestal Virgin
• Became pregnant
• Claimed the Mars was the father
• This was the only way to avoid being buried alive
  

6
The Founding

• Alba Longa ruled by King Amulius
• Usurped the throne from his brother Numitor
• Rhea was Numitors daughter
• Favored by the people
• Amulius threw Rheas twin sons into the river
  Tiber

7
Romulus and Remus

• The babies washed ashore and were suckled by a
  she-wolf who had lost her cubs
• Found by a shepherd, Faustulus and raised with
  riff raff
• As young men, the two were involved in a cattle
  dispute and brought before Numitor for judgment
• Numitor recognized them and used them to regain
  his throne

8
Sacred Spring

• Lupa the Latin word for wolf, also means
  prostitute
• Latins had a tradition of Sacred Spring
• When a settlement grew too large, young people
  would leave to found a new city. Probably took
  place in the spring.

9
Bloody founding

• 7 hills
• Romulus wanted to found the city on the Palatine
  hill and began building a wall
• Remus favored the Aventine hill, leapt over the
  wall in contempt and Romulus killed him
• Romulus opened his city to criminals and
  castaways
• Asylum (a without, and syle right of
  seizure) comes from the temple Romulus built to
  attract settlers
• They soon found themselves short of wives

10
(No Transcript)
11
Rape of the Sabine Women

• Romans needed wives
• Asked their neighbors, the Sabines, for women
• Refused
• Romulus invited them to a festival
• The Romans seized the unmarried women and carried
  them to their homes crossing the threshold is
  still traditional in western cultures

12
(No Transcript)
13
The Age of Kings

• 753 509 B.C.
• Etruscan Kings
• Last was Lucius Iunius Brutus
• Brutus cognomen simple minded, not entirely
  true
• Romans banished Tarquin the Proud
• Brutus died in battle defending Rome

14
Republic

• Governed by the Senate
• 300 members were all Patricians landholding
  upper class
• 2 Consuls elected each year
• Could serve 1 term
• Must consult with senate
• Provided for checks on power

15
Dictatorship

• In time of war, the Senate could elect a Dictator
  to lead Rome through the conflict
• Cincinnatus was the model dictator
• Former Consul
• Retired to farming
• Called to lead an army against invading
  Volscians, Aequians, and Sabines
• Raised an army, defeated the enemies, and laid
  down Dictatorship in 16 days.

16
Plebeians

• Plebeians farmers, merchants, artisans, traders
• Little influence in government
• 12 tables plebs protested that since laws were
  not written down, people could not know and obey
  them
• Tribunes officials elected by plebs. Could veto
  laws

17
(No Transcript)
18
Society

• Patrilineal
• Ideal Roman woman loving, dutiful, dignified,
  strong
• Women eventually played larger role in society
  p 130

19
Education

• Literacy was stressed, even amongst lower classes
  
• Wealthy hired private tutors
• Rhetoric, public speaking, very important for
  those with high aspirations

20
Religion

• Polytheistic
• Gradually assimilated Greek gods and goddesses
• Celebrated many festivals to honor the gods,
  along with daily tributes

21
Citizen Soldiers

• Republican armies citizens who supplied their
  own equipment
• Legion 5000 men
• Conquered people required to supply soldiers
  (auxilia)
• Military offered great rewards and harsh
  punishments pp. 131

22
Conquered lands

• Treated with respect
• Allowed to continue to worship their own gods,
  many were assimilated into Roman Pantheon
• Kept their own money, customs, and local
  government as long as they paid taxes and
  supplied soldiers and acknowledge Roman authority
  
• Most conquered lands remained loyal to Rome

23
Protection and unification

• Rome posted soldiers throughout conquered lands
• Built massive network of roads
• Gradually, conquered people adopted Roman
  language, customs, and beliefs

24
Vestal Virgins

• 6 women chosen to honor the goddess Vesta
• Serve for 30 years
• 10yrs learn
• 10yrs practice
• 10yrs teach
• Keep the sacred fire alight
• If it goes out, the city will fall

25
Roads
26
Cincinnatus
27
7 Hills of Rome