Ancient Rome Study Guide(reminder –Greece is also on the Trimester 2 Exam; use notes

and the midterm to study for the Greek section)

The civilization of ancient Rome lasted went through three major stages:

1. Kingdom• just a city, small, started by Romulus according to legend

(after fighting his brother Remus)

2. Republic • expanded to whole Italian peninsula, more democratic

government with assembly (plebeians), Senators (powerful patricians), and consuls (2 of them, sort of like presidents)

3. Empire• took over most of Europe and northern Africa (including

Carthage and Egypt); controlled by emperors like Augustus (aka Octavian)

Roman Social Structure

Patricians

Plebeians

Slaves

Rich, powerful landowners (nobles); very influential; lived in huge and beautiful homes

and owned many slaves

Middle to lower class people, less respected;

many different jobs. Considered “common people” (nicknamed

“plebs”)

Had no rights; most slaves were captured from areas

that Rome conquered; most were owned by

patricians but some richer plebs also had slaves

Over time, the number of slaves became huge and

made it hard for plebeians to find jobs

Influence of Latin• Latin was the language of ancient Rome. It is considered to

be very advanced and respected, even today.• Many European languages were heavily influenced by Latin

(French, Spanish, Portuguese, English).• We see Latin in our suffixes and prefixes and scientific

names, on our money and other documents, and often on college-related materials (because it is so academic and respected).

• Our alphabet comes from the Latin alphabet. Also, the names of our months and planets have come from ancient Rome (ex. August for Augustus Caesar, Mars for the god of war)

constitution – a written document that organizes a government and outlines major laws and rights that individuals have• probably the most important document found in any society

Twelve Tables, in the Forum

US Constitution, currently in Washington D.C.

separation of powers - instead of one person having all government power, it is split up among different groups

-Rome: assembly, Senate, consuls-America: executive branch (president with helpers), legislative branch (lawmakers in Senate and House of Representatives), and judicial branch (judges)

checks and balances- the actions that groups in government take that limit or influence the power of other groups

-Rome: assembly can veto Senate, consuls can block the decisions of each other, consuls chosen by assembly-America: the President can veto bills passed by lawmakers; judges can rule laws unconsitutional

democracy

constitution

republic

Roman Republic

– Existed from the time plebeians formed the assembly until Julius Caesar declared himself dictator (508 BC – 44 BC)

– Had checks and balances and separation of powers, as well as a constitution

– Rome expanded into Europe and Africa during this time, especially after victory over Carthage in the Punic Wars

Julius Caesar• Originally a powerful and successful consul and military leader;

led conquests of Gaul and other areas and became very rich and popular among the plebeians; patricians feared his growing power and wanted to stop him

• Caesar invaded Rome and fought a civil war with his army against Pompey (the other consul) and Pompey’s men; he won

• Declared himself dictator for life, but made popular changes like giving land to his soldiers, more jobs to citizens, and an improved calendar based on one the Egyptians used (the same we use today July named after him)

• United with Cleopatra to defeat her enemies and his in Egypt (including Pompey)

• Assassinated by a group of Senators on the floor of the Senate, led by his friend Brutus

• Considered one of the most important figures in all world history; he ended the Roman Republic and made big changes

Augustus Caesar (formerly Octavian)

• Considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire; one of the most important people in Roman history (and most people loved him as a ruler)

• Was the nephew of Julius Caesar but was later adopted by him

• Formerly known as Octavian, received the title Augustus when he took over Rome (it means revered or majestic leader)

• First split control of Rome with Marc Antony; later defeated him and Cleopatra to take control of the whole Roman Empire

• Started a 200 year golden era of peace and culture known as the Pax Romana (Roman peace)– Made many changes like improved roads, even more beautiful temples

(like one to the god Mars), and added statues and monuments around Rome

• After his death, the Senate actually named Augustus as a god!

Roman Empire

• From about 31 BC (when Augustus became the first emperor) until about 476 AD

• Many different emperors – some great, some terrible, many murdered

• After a while, problems started because the empire was too big and hard to control

Fall of Rome • After successful rule by emperors for several hundred

years, the empire started to fall apart. It was split into two big parts (the Western and Eastern Roman Empire), and while the Eastern continued, the Western Roman Empire ended in 476 AD

• Causes:– The empire was too big to keep control of– Many little civil wars– Outside groups of uncivilized warriors (called barbarians)

invaded different parts of the empire– Taxes were increased to pay for defense, so people had less

money; the government owed too much debt to too many people

– Lazy patricians who didn’t care about improving Rome– Disease spread and killed many people

• People still lived there, but there was no empire anymore. Small groups took over different areas, and culture declined. It was Rome no more.

Extra info: http://rome.mrdonn.org/fall.html

Big Picture Roman Influences• Along with Greece has a huge influence on

Western civilization (which includes Europe and us in America):– Roman alphabet, numerals, Latin

influences on our language– Technology! Engineering projects

especially bridges, sewers, roads, public baths, and aqueducts (with concrete!)• Plumbing - running water inside buildings

Roman aqueduct

From Wikipedia - Roman civilization is often grouped into "classical antiquity" with ancient Greece, a civilization that inspired much of the culture of ancient Rome. Ancient Rome contributed greatly to the development of government, law, war, art, literature, architecture, technology, religion, and language in the Western world, and its history continues to have a major influence on the world today.

– Ideas in government

• Written laws! They had great ones that we have copied

• Made government like we have today

– Used a constitution

– Architecture ideas (columns similar to Greeks) and art

– Military training and strategy (how to fight and win wars)

– Religion (mostly polytheistic

but Christianity started later in Rome)

Big Picture Roman Influences 2

2 Key Timelines*note that Rome is the only ancient civilization to go into AD times

Bonus Info - The following is a list of interesting people, places, and topics that is great to know about but which won’t be on the exam. Look for these topics on the Internet, History Channel, and in books.

Hannibal!Spartacus, the gladiator/rebel leaderThe evil emperors Caligula and NeroAn early dictator CincinnatusThe myth of Aeneas (connects Rome to the Trojan

War)The famous poets Virgil and OvidExamples of architecture in America inspired by

Roman styles (especially in Washington D.C.)The rise of Christianity (and how many Romans were

against it)

China Review

• Yellow (Huang He) and Yangtze (Chang Jiang) river valleys were main areas of life

• Different philosophies were followed by different people, but none more than Confucianism– Gave people ideas on how to live, how

to be good, how to treat other people (based on different relationships), and how to show respect

• Silk Road – Connected China to the Middle East and

Rome– Many different routes, not just one road– Allowed ideas and goods to be traded

and shared– Watch out for bandits!

Major dynasties

(in order):

1. Shang

First cities (near rivers),

known for oracle bones,

start of writing

2. Zhou

Started Mandate of

Heaven; very long

dynasty

3. Qin

Shi Huangdi! Expanded

territory, started the

Great Wall

4. Han

Golden Age! Many

inventions (like silk,

gunpowder, compass,

and paper)

Egypt Review

• All of life was centered around the incredibly important Nile River• Pyramids were built to give the pharaohs a burial place to provide

for them in the afterlife• Pharaohs were very powerful rulers and were considered part-god,

part-human• There was a clearly organized social structure with priests and

nobles in the upper class, merchants and scribes in the middle, and farmers and unskilled workers at the bottom (just above the slaves)

• Technology improved farming through the use of the ox-drawn plow as well as irrigation using canals and the shaduf

• Egyptians invented many things like black ink, papyrus, irrigation. hieroglyphics, sails, and a 365 day calendar

• Polytheistic religion with gods like Isis, Osiris, and Ra