Chapter 7: Ancient Rome Notes
Chapter 7: Ancient Rome Notes
1. 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")
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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"
5. 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
6. 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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