Classwork WMSIO #1

What to do:

Write out main ideas from pages 152 and 153.

Write out timeline (only for Rome).

Start reading pages 155 through 159.

Ancient Rome and Early Christianity (500 BC-AD 500)

Main Ideas:

Power and Authority - Rome began as a republic, a government in which elected officials represent the people. But, eventually, absolute rulers (emperors) seized power and expanded the empire.

Empire Building - At its height, the Roman Empire touched three continents--Europe, Asia, and Africa. For several countries, Rome brought peace and prosperity to its empire before its eventual collapse.

Religious and Ethical Systems - Out of Judea rose a monotheistic (single-god) religion called Christianity. Based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, it soon spread throughout Rome and beyond.

Timeline:

509 BC

Rome becomes a republic.

264 BC

First Punic War begins.

218 BC

In the Second Punic War, Hannibal invades Italy.

31 BC

Octavian defeats the forces of Antony and Cleopatra.

AD 284

Diocletian becomes emperor of Rome.

AD 476

Western Roman Empire falls.

Notes:

•  Rome founded 753 BC by Romulus and Remus according to the legend.
•  Built on seven rolling hills near midpoint of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Earliest inhabitants, Greeks, Latins, and Etruscans, came in around 1000 BC and 500 BC.
• Latins built the original settlement at Rome on the Palatine Hill, and were therefore believed to be the first Romans.
• Between 750 BC and 600 BC, the Greeks established colonies along Southern Italy and Sicily.
• Etruscans (skilled metalworkers and artisans) are native to Northern Italy.
• They influenced Romans' architecture (using the arch) and their writing system.
• Around 600 BC, an Etruscan became the king of Rome.
• (Popular public center Forum was the heart of Roman political life.) 
• The last king was Tarquin the Proud (Superbus).
• Driven from power in 509 BC due to tyranny in both senses of the word.
• Established a republican government from the phrase res publica, meaning "public affairs."
• A republic is a form of government in which citizens vote for their leaders. (Only free-born male citizens were given the right to vote.)

• Struggle for power.
• Patricians--wealthy landowners--versus plebeians--common farmers, artisans, and merchants, which are the majority of the population.
• Tribunes--assembly formed by plebeians that chose representatives for themselves.
• Protect rights of plebeians from unfair acts of patrician officials.
• The Twelve Tables
• On 451 BC, ten patrician officials wrote down Rome's notes.
• Carved on twelve tables and hanged in the Forum.
• Government terms.
• Legal code in: 
• Rome was the Twelve Tables
• the United States is the United States Constitution.
• Consul: king-like leader who commanded the army and directed the government. The consuls worked in pairs and composed the executive branch of the government.
• Senate: had 300 aristocrats who took care of domestic policies. Its counterpart at the time would have been the Tribal Assembly, which was elected by the tribune and made laws for the common people.