Get Ready to Read

Section OverviewThis section describes the beginnings of Rome, the founding of the republic, and early conquests.

Rome’s Beginnings

Get Ready to Read (cont.)

Focusing on the Main Ideas

Rome’s Beginnings

• Geography played an important role in the rise of Roman civilization.

• The Romans created a republic and conquered Italy. By treating people fairly, they built Rome from a small city into a great power.

Get Ready to Read (cont.)

Locating Places• Sicily (SIH·suh·lee)

• Apennines (A·puh·NYNZ)

• Latium (LAY·shee·uhm)

• Tiber River (TY·buhr)

• Etruria (ih·TRUR·ee·uh)

Rome’s Beginnings

Get Ready to Read (cont.)

Meeting People• Romulus (RAHM·yuh·luhs)

• Remus (REE·muhs)

• Aeneas (ih·NEE·uhs)

• Latins (LA·tuhnz)

• Etruscans (ih·TRUHS·kuhnz)

• Tarquins (TAHR·kwihnz)

Rome’s Beginnings

Get Ready to Read (cont.)

Building Your Vocabulary• republic (rih·PUH·blihk) • legion (LEE·juhn)

Reading Strategy

Summarizing Information Use a diagram like the one on page 262 of your textbook to show how the Etruscans affected the development of Rome.

Rome’s Beginnings

The Origins of Rome• Italy is a boot-shaped country in the

Mediterranean.

• The Alps are mountains at Italy’s northern border, and the Apennines is a mountain range that extends through Italy from north to south.

(pages 263–265)

• The toe of the boot points toward the island of Sicily.

• Italy’s terrain was easier to farm than the terrain of Greece, so Italy could support more people.

Rome’s Beginnings

The Origins of Rome (cont.)

• The Latins built the city of Rome on the plain of Latium.

• Rome was located in central Italy on the Tiber River.

Rome’s Beginnings

• Two stories tell about Rome’s beginning: the legend of Remus and Romulus and the tale of Aeneas and his Trojan followers.

(pages 263–265)

The Origins of Rome (cont.)

• The Greeks and the Etruscans influenced the Roman way of life.

• The Etruscans were skilled metal workers who helped shape Roman civilization.

Rome’s Beginnings

• The Etruscan army was the model for the Roman army.

(pages 263–265)

How did the Greeks influence the Romans?

The Greeks taught the Romans how to grow grapes and olives. They also taught the Romans their alphabet. Roman architecture, sculpture, and literature was also modeled after the Greeks.

Rome’s Beginnings

The Birth of a Republic• The Tarquins were leaders of the

Etruscan-ruled Rome.

(pages 265–267)

• After 100 years under the Tarquins, the Romans rebelled against Etruscan rulers.

• The Romans established a republic.

• In a republic, the leader is not a king or queen but someone voted into office by citizens.

Rome’s Beginnings

The Birth of a Republic (cont.)

• Rome had a large, powerful army made up of excellent, disciplined soldiers. • Roads connected all of Rome’s military settlements.

Rome’s Beginnings

(pages 265–267)

The Birth of a Republic (cont.)

• The Roman Confederation gave full citizenship to some people, who could vote and serve in government.

• Romans gave others the status of allies, which meant they could rule their own local affairs.

Rome’s Beginnings

(pages 265–267)

What was the benefit of organizing soldiers into legions?

Smaller bands of troops were easier to maneuver than one large army.

Rome’s Beginnings

Where did the Greeks live in Italy, and how did they influence Roman civilization?

Greeks colonized southern Italy and Sicily. They passed on farming methods, sculpture, literature, and an alphabet.

Rome’s Beginnings

Describe the two legends that tell of the founding of Rome. Then describe how and when Rome was actually founded.

The legend of Romulus and Remus and the Aeneas story. Rome was probably founded by Latins in c. 700s B.C.

Rome’s Beginnings

Summarize Describe the Roman conquest of Italy.

Rome defeated remaining Latins and then Etruscans and Greeks.

Rome’s Beginnings

Compare and Contrast How did geography affect the development of civilization in Greece and Italy?

Italy is less rugged than Greece, so people are not separated from each other. Italy’s better farmland supports more people.

Rome’s Beginnings

Expository Writing Write a short essay discussing the reasons Rome was so successful in its conquest of Italy.

Answers will vary.

Rome’s Beginnings

Identify the rights held by Roman citizens.

Rome’s Beginnings