The Roman Republic 1000 B. C. – 27 B. C.
-know the myth of Romulus and Remus (pg. 130 – 131)
-Rome is a central point between the Alps and Sicily
-at point where it was easy to cross the Tiber river
-key point for trade routes
Three Main Culture Groups
1) The Latins - (1000 B. C. – 753 B. C.)
-came from the Alps
-settled in the area of Rome
-lived very simply
2) The Greeks – (750 B. C. – 600 B. C.)
-settled in the south and in Sicily
-brought the Latins into contact with the more advanced Greek civilization
3) The Etruscans – (1200 B. C. – 800 B. C.)
-northern Italy
-taught the Latins how to read and write; improved their trade and architecture
Religion
-early Roman religion had gods with no names who had simple jobs
-from the Etruscans, they learned how to look for signs from nature (i.e. birds flying) or from livers
-from the Greeks, the Romans took Greek gods but gave them different names
Roman Republic
-at first, Rome was ruled by kings who turned it into a modern city
-the Forum became the center of their political life just like the agora for the Greeks
-after a prince attacked a Roman woman, the people of Rome decided never to be ruled by kings again
-in 509 B. C., Rome became a republic; a type of government where people could vote for their leaders
Roman Social Organization
-Romans valued gravitas: "discipline, strength, and loyalty"
-the eldest man ruled the family
-he controlled all property and all the family members; acted as the priest for the family; spokesman
-women controlled the day to day duties of the household
-different classes
1) patrician –ancestors founded Rome
-made laws for Rome
2) plebeians – free citizens who worked as farmers and merchants; could vote
Army
-all men had to serve in the army
-their military units were called legions
-legionnaires were heavily armed infantry i...