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