Ancient Rome and Early Christianity

500 BC – 500 AD

Ch 6

The Roman Republic

Sec 1

What do you know about Rome?

Objectives

• Describe the formation of the Roman Republic and the spread of its influence

• Understand the importance of the Twelve Tables

Origins of Rome

• Legend says that the city was founded by Romulus and Remus, twin sons of Mars and a Latin princess

• The twins were abandoned as infants and raised by a she-wolf

Geography

• Rome was built on 7 rolling hills at a curve on the Tiber River, near the center of the Italian peninsula

• Midpoint between the Alps and Italy’s southern tip

First Romans

• The earliest settlers in Italy arrived in pre-historic times

• From 1000 BC – 500 BC 3 groups inhabited the region and fought for control

Latins

• Latins –built the original settlement at Rome, a cluster of wooden huts atop one of the 7 hills

Greeks

• Greeks- established colonies along southern Italy and Sicily– Brought all of Italy, including Rome, into

closer contact with Greek civilization

Etruscans

• Etruscans- natives to northern Italy who were skilled metalworkers and engineers– Influenced through their alphabet and

architecture like the arch

The Early Republic

• Around 600 BC an Etruscan became king of Rome

• In following decades Rome grew from a collection of hilltop villages to a city that covered nearly 500 square miles

• The last king of Rome, Tarquin the Proud, was a harsh tyrant who was driven from power in 509 BC

Republic

• The Romans declare they would never be ruled by a king again

• The Romans established a republic, form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders

• Citizenship with voting rights was granted only to free-born male citizens

Patricians and Plebians

• Different groups struggled for power in the early republic

• Patricians- wealthy landowners who held most of the power– Inherited power and social status

• Plebeians- common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up the majority of the population – Barred by law from holding the highest government

positions

Tribunes

• Tribunes- political body elected by the plebeians that protected them from unfair acts of patrician officials

Twelve Tables

• Twelve Tables- written laws hung in the Forum that established the idea that all free citizens had a right to the protection of the law

Government

• Mix of monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy• Consuls- 2 people who directed the army and

government like kings.– Limited to a one year term

• Senate- 300 aristocratic lawmakers who were chosen from the upper class of Roman society

• Dictator- leader with absolute power that could be appointed to power for 6 months in times of distress

Roman Army

• Great value was placed on the military• All citizens who owned land were required to

serve• Roman soldiers were organized into legions-

large military units made up of 5000 foot soldiers• Each legion was supported by cavalry, soldiers

on horseback• Legions were divided into centuries, made up of

80 men

Rome Spread its Power

• By 265 BC Rome conquered the Etruscans to the north and the Greek city-states to the south

• Kept a lenient policy towards conquered states.– Closest to Rome became full citizens– Territories that were farther became citizens

except for the right to vote– All others became allies who were left alone

as long as they supplied troops to the army

Rome’s Commercial Network

• Rome’s location gave it easy access to the Mediterranean Sea

• Merchants moved by land and sea

• They traded wine and olive oil for a variety of foods, raw materials, and manufactured goods from other lands

War with Carthage

• Punic Wars- 3 wars between Rome and Carthage from 264 BC to 146 BC

• The first war resulted in control of Sicily for Rome

Hannibal

• Hannibal- Carthaginian general and brilliant military strategist who fought against Rome

• Army consisted of 50,000 men, 9,000 cavalry, and 60 elephants

• Led his men across the Alps to surprise the Romans

• Initially worked but was never able to take Rome

Rome Triumphs

• Romans decided to attack Carthage and force Hannibal to defend his home city

• In 202 BC Hannibal was defeated at Zama near Carthage

• During the Third Punic War, Rome laid siege to Carthage

• The city was burned at all 50,000 inhabitants were sold into slavery

The Roman Empire

Sec 2

What kind of government did Rome have?

Collapse of the Republic

• The republican government grew more unstable as the empire got bigger

• As Rome grew the gap between rich and poor got bigger

• Small farmers could not compete with rich landowners who owned huge estates run by slaves

• Many farmers were forced to sell their land and move to cities to look for work

Civil War

• Civil War- conflict between groups within the same country

• Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus attempted to help Rome’s poor by proposing reforms but were both assassinated

Military Upheaval

• As the republic grew more unstable generals began taking power for themselves

• They recruited soldiers by promising them land and pay

• Soldiers were now loyal to their commanders and not the republic

Julius Caesar

• Julius Caesar- Roman military leader who became dictator for life in 44 BC

• In 60 BC, Caesar joined forces with Crassus and Pompey

• With their help, Caesar was elected consul in 59 BC

• For the next 10 years they dominated Rome as a triumverate- group of 3 rulers

Julius Caesar

• After his 1 year as consul, Caesar appointed himself governor of Gaul (France)

• From 58-50BC, he led his men in a successful campaign to conquer all of Gaul

• Victories in Gaul earned him respect and loyalty of his troops and the people of Rome

Caesar vs. Pompey

• In 50 BC, at Pompey’s urging, the Senate ordered Caesar to disband his legions and return home

• In January 49 BC, Caesar marched his army to Rome and Pompey fled

• After defeating Pompey’s army in Greece, Asia, Spain, and Egypt, Caesar returned to Rome

Caesar’s Rule

• In 46 BC Julius Caesar was named dictator and in 44 BC he was named dictator for life

• Caesar governed as an absolute ruler, one who has total power

Caesar’s Reforms

• Granted citizenship to people in many provinces

• Expanded the Senate

• Created jobs through the construction of new public buildings

• Started colonies where people without land could own property

• Increased pay for soldiers

Et tu, Brute?

• Many nobles and senators were worried about Caesar’s growing power, success, and popularity

• March 15, 44 BC Caesar was stabbed 23 times by assassins led by Brutus and Cassius

Beginning of the Empire

• Another civil war broke out after Caesar’s death

• Caesar’s supporters led by Mark Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus crushed the assassins and took control of Rome

• Ruled for 10 years as the Second Triumverate

Alliance Falls Apart

• Mark Antony and Octavian start another civil war after mark Antony falls in love with Cleopatra of Egypt

• Octavian eventually wins and excepts the title of Augustus or “exalted one” and rules the Roman empire alone

Pax Romana

• Pax Romana- means “Roman peace”, period from 27 BC to 180 AD where Rome was at peace– Roman empire included more than 3 million

square miles– Population numbered between 60 million and

80 million– About 1 million people in the city of Rome

itself

Government

• The government established by Augustus was able to maintain stability in the empire long after his death in 14 AD

• Civil service- paid workers to manage the affairs of the government such as grain supply, tax collection, and postal service

• The civil service carried out the day to day operations of the empire

Agriculture and Trade

• Agriculture was the most important industry in the empire

• About 90% of the people were engaged in farming

• Rome also had a vast trading network• Roman merchants protected by the navy

traveled as far as India and China• A complex network of roads built by the

army connected the empire to far off places such as Russia and Persia

Ancient Roman Jobs

The Roman World

• Most people lived in the countryside and worked on farms

• Slavery was a significant part of Roman life– May have been 1/3 of the population

• Most were conquered people brought back to work on farms or in the cities

• Occasionally slaves would rebel, more than 1 million died trying to gain their freedom

Spartacus

• Slave who rebelled against Rome

Gods and Goddesses

Society and Culture

• Wealth and social status made a huge difference in the Roman Empire

• The rich lived extravagantly while most Romans barely had necessities

• Much of the city’s population was unemployed and relied on grain rations for food

• Most people lived in rickety, sprawling tenements

Why did the Roman government build the

Colosseum?

Distractions

• To distract the masses the government provided free games, races, mock battles, and gladiator contests

• By 250 AD there were 150 public holidays

• Colosseum- huge arena that held 50,000 people

Colosseum

YouTube - Benhur Chariot Race.mpg

Pompeii

Pompeii

• Roman city located at the base of Mt Vesuvius

• Eruption in 79 AD buried the city under 60 feet of ash and pumice

• Accidentally discovered in 1748

Rise of Christianity

Sec 3

Rome in Judea

• Roman power spread to Judea, home of the Jews, around 63 BC

• Judea remained independent until 6 AD when Rome made it a province of the empire

• According to the Bible, God had promised the Messiah would arrive and restore the kingdom of the Jews

Map of Judea

Jesus of Nazareth

• Sometime between 4 and 6 AD a Jew named Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea

• Jesus was raised in the village of Nazareth in northern Palestine

• Baptized by a prophet named John the Baptist

• Took up the trade of carpentry as a young man

Jesus

• At the age of 30, Jesus began his public ministry

• For the next 3 years he taught, did good works, and reportedly performed miracles

Teachings • Jesus emphasized God’s personal

relationship to each human being• Stressed the importance of love for God,

neighbors, enemies, and self• God will end the wickedness in the world

and establish an eternal kingdom for those who have repented for their sins

• The teachings of Jesus contained many Jewish beliefs– Monotheism – 10 Commandments

A Growing Movement

• Historical records of the time mention very little about Jesus

• The main source of information about his teachings are the Gospels, the first 4 books of the New Testament

• Some of the Gospels are thought to have been written by one or more of Jesus’ 12 disciples or apostles

Growing Movement

• As Jesus preached from town to town, his fame grew

• He had a particular appeal to the poor

• Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth

Jesus’ Death

• Jesus’ popularity was alarming to both the Romans and Jewish leaders

• When Jesus visited Jerusalem around 29 BC crowds greeted him as the Messiah

• The chief Jewish priests denied that Jesus was the Messiah, saying that his teachings were blasphemy

Pontius Pilate

• The Roman governor Pontius Pilate accused Jesus of defying Roman authority

• Jesus was arrested and sentenced to be crucified, nailed a large wooden cross to die

Resurrection

• After Jesus’ death, his body was placed in a tomb

• According to the Gospels, after 3 days the body was gone, and a living Jesus began appearing to his followers

• Jesus then came to be referred to as Jesus Christ, Greek for savior

Spread of Christianity

• Despite political and religious opposition, Christianity began to spread throughout the empire

• Paul apostle who had an enormous influence on the development of Christianity

• He taught that Christians should allow anyone to convert

Jewish Rebellion

• In 66 AD a band of Jews rebelled against the Romans

• In 70 AD the Romans stormed Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple

• All that remains of the Temple is the western wall

Diaspora

• Diaspora- dispersal of the Jews

• After a second rebellion in 132 AD most Jews were driven from their homeland into exile

Persecution of Christians

• Christian refusal to worship Roman gods was seen as opposition to Roman rule

• Some Roman rulers blamed the Christians for political and economic troubles

• Thousands of Christians were crucified, burned, or killed by wild animals in arenas

A World Religion

• Despite persecution, Christianity continued to grow

• By the 3rd century there were millions of them in Rome

Why did Christianity spread so quickly?

Appeal of Christianity

• Embraced all people

• Gave hope to the powerless

• Appealed to those who were appalled with the extravagances of imperial Rome

• Offered a personal relationship with a loving God

• Promised an eternal life after death

Constantine

• Constantine- Roman emperor who converted to Christianity in 312 AD

• Edict of Milan- ended the persecution of Jews in 313 BC

Early Church

• Priests led the church on the local level

• Bishops- priests who supervised several local churches

• Peter- apostle who became the first pope

• Pope- father or head of the church

Nicene Creed

• Nicene Creed- document written in 325 BC that defines the basic beliefs of the Church.

Fall of the Roman Empire

Sec 4

Marcus Aurelius

• Marcus Aurelius- last emperor of Pax Romana

• (161- 180 AD)

Rome’s Economy Weakens

• Hostile tribes and pirates interrupted trade

• Reached the limits of their expansion• No new resources for gold or silver• Raised taxes• Began minting more coins with less silver

in them• Inflation- drop in the value of money

coupled with a rise in prices

Military and Political Turmoil

• Soldiers became less disciplined

• Loyal to commanders and not Rome

• Hired mercenaries, soldiers who fought for money, to defend the empire

• Citizens became indifferent

Diocletian

• Diocletian- military leader who became emperor in 284 AD and divided the empire into 2 halves

• Rome was divided into the Latin speaking west (Italy, Gaul, Spain, Britain) and Greek speaking east (Greece, Anatolia, Egypt, Syria)

Constantine

• After Diocletian’s death Constantine became emperor of the western empire

• In 324 Constantine gained control of the east and reunited the empire

• He also move the capital to Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople

Western Empire Falls

• In 370 a group of Mongol nomads known as the Huns moved into the Germanic areas

• To escape the Huns the Germanic people invaded Rome and settled in Gaul, Spain, and Africa

• In 410, Germans overran Rome itself and plundered in for 3 days

Attila the Hun

• Attila the Hun- powerful Hun chieftain who united the Huns and attacked both halves of the Roman empire

• With his army of 100,000 men he plundered 70 cities but was unable to conquer Rome due to famine and disease

The Last Emperor

• Romulus Augustulus- 14 year old boy who was last emperor of the Roman empire, was ousted by Germanic forces in 476

Byzantine Empire

• Byzantine Empire- eastern half of the Roman empire that flourished for another 1000 years after the fall of Rome

Legacy of Rome

• Greco-Roman Culture- mix of Hellenistic, Greek, and Roman cultures

• Latin Language- influenced many other languages- French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, English

Architecture

• Arch, dome, columns

• Concrete

• Aqueducts

• Roads

Laws

• All persons have the right to equal treatment

• Innocent until proven guilty

• Burden of poop lies with the accuser

• A person should be punished only for actions, not thoughts

• Unfair laws could be set aside