Mr Donn.org - Ancient Rome
Mr. Carlton’s Rome Unit

Chapter 13, Lesson 1: The Birth of Rome (pp. 396-399)

I. Seven Kings

• A. Roman legend says that Rome was found in 753 B.C. and Romulus was the first of seven kings.
• B. About 575 B.C. the Etruscans from the north moved into Rome and ruled in for the next 66 years.
• C. Under the Etruscan kings, Rome made rapid progress in the area of writing and new building techniques.
• D. The Romans rebelled against the seventh and last Roman king, an Etruscan, and never lived under kings again.

II. Midpoint of the Mediterranean

• A. Rome lay near the center of the peninsula, with Etruscans to the north and Greek colonies to the south.
• B. Rome's location had several advantages: it was a difficult place for enemies to attack; close to the sea, but not too close; and on an important river that brought supplies in and out.
• C. Rome was also with easy reach of Greece, Spain, and the northern coast of Africa.

The Birth of Rome




 

Chapter 13, Lesson 2: The Rise of the Republic (pp. 406-411)

I. Patricians and Plebeians

• A. With the overthrow of the last Etruscan king, Romans adopted the republican form of government.
• B. Consuls, the leaders in place of a king, were elected by a citizen assembly and advised by the Senate.
• C. Roman society was made up of patricians and plebeians, who were citizens; and slaves, who had no rights.

II. Struggle for Rights

• A. In 494 B.C. the plebeians demanded greater rights by withdrawing from the city, forming their own assembly, and electing their own leaders.
• B. In the 300s B.C., the plebeians obtained more rights, such as the right to become members of the Senate.
• C. In 287 B.C., after more than 200 years of struggle and once more withdrawing from the city, the plebeians obtained equality under Roman law.

III. Roman Government

• A. The Roman government and the army were managed by two consuls, a patrician and a plebeian.
• B. The consuls were advised by the Senate, which controlled the treasury and foreign policy.
• C. Laws proposed by the Senate could be approved or disapproved by the citizens' assemblies.

IV. Early Expansion

• A. Year after year, the Roman army marched off to expand the area under Roman control.
• B. By 338 B.C. Rome had conquered Latium and Etruria, and by 275 B.C., Rome ruled the whole Italian peninsula.
• C. Rome did not punish the people it conquered, but instead made them allies.

The Twelve Tables - content

Chapter 13, Lesson 3: Overseas Expansion(pp. 412-418)

I. The Punic Wars

• A. Rome and Carthage fought three long wars over control of the Mediterranean, called the Punic Wars.
• B. Hannibal, a important commander of the Carthage troops, led an almost successful invasion of the Italian peninsula.
• C. Hannibal's defeat marked the end of the Carthage empire.

II. Conquest of the Eastern Mediterranean

• A. After defeating Carthage, Rome conquered Greece and Macedonia, and by 50 B.C. controlled the entire area around the Mediterranean.
• B. Rome was successful because its people were determined, it made allies of its conquered enemies, its army was highly disciplined and experienced, it greatly valued military success, and it used the spoils of war to build up the treasury.

III. Trouble at Home

• A. Rome's farms were destroyed during the Second Punic War, and farmers could not afford to rebuild them.
• B. Landless farmers moved to the city to find work, creating a large mass of poor, jobless people.
• C. Slaves -- captured in the many wars -- were often mistreated and sometimes rebelled.

IV. Fall of the Roman Republic

• A. Rome's rapid expansion caused problems at home and conflicts broke out between the rich and poor.
• B. Julius Caesar was an ambitious general who challenged the Senate and caused a civil war.
• C. After three years of civil war, Caesar won and declared himself dictator, ending the Roman republic.

Chapter 13, Lesson 4: Greece and Rome (pp. 420-424)

I. Greek Influence on Rome

• A. Romans studied and copied Greek statues and art, and Greek literature greatly influenced Roman writers.
• B. Greek scholars were brought as slaves to Rome to teach wealthy Roman children.
• C. The Romans renamed and worshipped Greek gods.

• II. Roman Genius

• A. Rome mastered the skills of military organization, legal administration, and engineering.
• B. The Roman military was determined, disciplined, and able to wage long battles.
• C. Roman engineers built roads that still in use, perfected the arch, invented concrete, built aqueducts, and developed surveying.
• D. The Romans developed a legal system with courts, judges, and lawyers that has served as the model for modern-day legal systems in many parts of the world.