The Roman Republic

1000 B.C.E. – 287 B.C.E.

Chapter Focus QuestionWhat factors influenced the rise and development of the Roman Republic?

In order to answer this question, we need to explore and understand four key concepts:

• Geography (myth) • republic • society/culture • political system/government

What factors influenced the

rise and development of

the Roman Republic?

What factors influenced the

rise and development of

the Roman Republic?

What steps did Rome take in its progress from

a monarchy to a republic?

What steps did Rome take in its progress from

a monarchy to a republic?

What were the roles of each of the three parts

of the government of the republic?

What were the roles of each of the three parts

of the government of the republic?

How did geography and myths each influence the early development of the

Roman Republic?

How did geography and myths each influence the early development of the

Roman Republic?

What traditions, values, and beliefs influenced Roman

society?

What traditions, values, and beliefs influenced Roman

society?

Section 1 Section 2

Section 3Section 4

VocabularyComplete your vocabulary circle maps (due on Friday 9/19)

in your notebooks.

link role arable land arid

Virgil divine navigate

The Location of

Rome•Rome is located in the center of the Italian peninsula, along the Tiber River.•The geography of Italy is very similar to Greece (mild winters, warm summers, many natural harbors).

Location•Rome’s location on the Tiber River gave it access to the Mediterranean Sea and opened up valuable trade routes with the surrounding areas.

•Unlike Greece, Rome has large flat areas of arable land that are still used to grow crops to this day.

Geographical Advantages

• The Tiber River is the second largest river in Italy (250 miles long), and flows through a region of Italy known as Latium.• Latium is a region known for having many volcanoes.• Volcanoes produce volcanic ash when they erupt, and crops like wheat,

vegetables and olive tress love to grow in soil that contains volcanic ash.

• The combination of fertile soil and access to the sea gave Rome a considerable advantage over nearby towns.

Geographical Advantages

In groups of no more than 4, answer the following question with complete sentences. Use examples from your notes.

• Why would natural harbors, volcanic soil and mild weather be advantageous for the Romans?

The Origins of Rome• Around 1000 B.C.E., a group of people known

as the Latins settled and founded the Latium region of Italy.– The Latins founded a village on Palatine Hill, on

the east bank of the Tiber River; eventually more Latins came and founded villages on the other six hills near Palatine Hill.

• These villages would eventually unite and become Rome.

Ancient Rome and the Seven Hills

Roman Mythology

• There are two myths regarding the foundation of Rome:

1. The poet Virgil describes an escaped Trojan warrior named Aeneas who, after the fall of Troy, wandered until he reached Latium, where he married a Latin princess and founded Rome.

• Due to the patriotic nature of the story, and the celebration of Roman values, Virgil became the national poet of Rome.

Roman Mythology

• There are two myths regarding the foundation of Rome:2. Romulus and Remus were born of a human

mother and a divine father (like Hercules). After being kidnapped and abandoned by their uncle, the twins were rescued by a she-wolf. As adults, Romulus kills Remus and then founds Rome on Palatine Hill.

By Yourself, and on a Sheet of Paper

• Answer the following question, using complete sentences:

What do these myths tell you about the character of the Roman people?

Hint: Why would they go through the trouble of creating myths about their founding? What is the purpose of a myth?