Ch. 6: Ancient Rome

1

• Ch. 6 Ancient Rome
• and
• Early Christianity

2
The Early Republic

• Roman hierarchy
• Patricians wealthy landowners
• Most political power
• Plebeians common farmers, merchants, and
  artisans
• Try to gain political power
• Twelve Tables
• Written law code
• Important victory for plebeians

3
The Roman Republic

• Roman formation of a republic after tyrannical
  rule of King Tarquin the Proud
• Republic citizens vote for leaders to represent
  them
• Citizen is a free-born male

4
Roman Republican Government

• Senate
• 300 members from patrician class
• Influence foreign and domestic policy
• Consuls
• 2 rulers that acted like a king
• Each has veto power
• Dictator
• Could name a dictator in time of emergency

5
Roman Army

• Divided into large groups called legions
• 5,000 foot soldiers
• Military allows spread of Roman Republic
• Conquers all of Italy
• Punic Wars Rome defeats Carthage for control of
  the Mediterranean Sea

6
The Roman Empire

• Republic collapses
• civil war
• Julius Caesar takes control as part of a
  triumvirate (3 rulers)
• Senate named Caesar dictator for life
• Granted Roman citizenship to many in provinces
• Expanded the Senate
• Created jobs for poor
• Senators fearful of Caesars power stabbed to
  death March 15, 44 B.C.

7
Expansion of the Roman Empire

• Caesar Augustus becomes first emperor
• Pax Romana Roman peace
• Powerful military expands empire
• Agriculture 90 of people were farmers
• Trade
• Food items
• Luxury items from all over the world
• Roads and uniform coins

8
The Roman World

• Emphasis on discipline, strength, and loyalty
• Slavery an important part of Roman labor
• Renamed Greek gods and goddesses
• Government and religion linked
• Everyone expected to worship gods/goddesses
• Patricians live extravagantly
• Plebeians barely had necessities
• Government provided free races, games, and
  gladiatorial fights

9
Rise of Christianity

• Jesus of Nazareth
• Monotheistic
• Ten Commandments
• Personal relationship of God and man
• Love of God, neighbor, enemies, and themselves
• Ideas spread by apostles
• Accused of contempt for God by Romans sentenced
  to death

10
Spread of Christianity

• Apostle Paul
• Travel safe and easy in empire
• Rapid spread of Christianity
• Christianity a problem for Roman rulers
• Wont worship Roman gods
• Becomes a major world religion
• Constantine accepts Christianity
• Ends persecution of Christians

11
Church Organization

• Pope
• Bishop of Rome
• Leader of church
• Bishop
• Priest who supervises several churches
• Priests
• Serve one local church

12
Fall of Rome

• Weakening economy
• Trade disrupted by pirates and nomadic tribes
• Poor harvests
• Pay for mercenaries
• Military issues
• Less discipline and loyalty
• Political issues
• Hired mercenaries

13
Emperors Attempt Reform

• Diocletian
• Doubled size of Roman army
• Set prices of goods to end inflation
• Divided empire into East and West
• Eastern capital at Constantinople
• Western remains in Rome

14
Western Empire Crumbles

• Internal problems
• Separation from wealth of eastern empire
• Germanic invasions
• Attila the Hun

15
Legacy of Rome

• Roman language
• Latin language of Catholic Church
• Building
• Arches
• Domes
• Concrete
• Aqueducts
• Huge structures
• Law
• Twelve Tables
• Equality in law
• Innocent until
• proven guilty