1. Mediterranean Society:
The Roman Phase... (from Kingdom to Republic to
Empire)

2. From Kingdom to Republic...
 The earliest of the Roman civilizations were the
Etruscans. With the fall of Hellenic influence, the
Etruscans conquered all of the Italian peninsula.
 About 2,000 BCE Indo-European migrants settle
 Etruscans migrated from Anatolia
 Dynamic people - ruled Med area between 8th and
5th centuries BCE
 Challenged by Greeks by sea and Celts from
north
 Many were kings of early Rome
 Last Etruscan king deposed in 509 BCE and the
Republic is born
2

3. The Republic of Rome

4. The Republic of Rome
 Republic: System of
government in
which officials are
elected by the
people.

5. The Republic of Rome
 Republic: System of
government in
which officials are
elected by the
people.
 Senate: Most
powerful governing
body. 300 members
– all patricians.
Made the laws.

6. The Republic of Rome
 Republic: System of
government in
which officials are
elected by the
people.
 Senate: Most
powerful governing
body. 300 members
– all patricians.
Made the laws.
 First laws codified
into the

7. The Republic of Rome
 Republic: System of
government in
which officials are
elected by the
people.
 Senate: Most
powerful governing
body. 300 members
– all patricians.
Made the laws.
 First laws codified
into the
Twelve Tables

8. The Republic of Rome
 Republic: System of
government in
which officials are
elected by the
people.
 Senate: Most
powerful governing
body. 300 members
– all patricians.
Made the laws.
 First laws codified
into the
Twelve Tables
 Two Consuls –
elected by Senate.
Ran the government
and the army.

9. The Republic of Rome
 Republic: System of
government in
which officials are
elected by the
people.
 Senate: Most
powerful governing
body. 300 members
– all patricians.
Made the laws.
 First laws codified
into the
Twelve Tables
 Two Consuls –
elected by Senate.
Ran the government
and the army.
 Tribunes – elected
by the people
(plebeians)

10. The Republic of Rome
 Republic: System of
government in
which officials are
elected by the
people.
 Senate: Most
powerful governing
body. 300 members
– all patricians.
Made the laws.
 First laws codified
into the
Twelve Tables
 Two Consuls –
elected by Senate.
Ran the government
and the army.
 Tribunes – elected
by the people
(plebeians)
 Judges – Oversaw
courts cases

11. The Republic of Rome
 Senate: Most
powerful governing
body. 300 members
– all patricians.
Made the laws.
 First laws codified
into the
Twelve Tables
 Two Consuls –
elected by Senate.
Ran the government
and the army.
 Tribunes – elected
by the people
(plebeians)
 Judges – Oversaw
courts cases

12. The Republic of Rome
 First laws codified
into the
Twelve Tables
 Two Consuls –
elected by Senate.
Ran the government
and the army.
 Tribunes – elected
by the people
(plebeians)
 Judges – Oversaw
courts cases

13. The Republic of Rome
Twelve Tables
 Two Consuls –
elected by Senate.
Ran the government
and the army.
 Tribunes – elected
by the people
(plebeians)
 Judges – Oversaw
courts cases

14. The Republic of Rome
 Two Consuls –
elected by Senate.
Ran the government
and the army.
 Tribunes – elected
by the people
(plebeians)
 Judges – Oversaw
courts cases

15. The Republic of Rome
 Tribunes – elected
by the people
(plebeians)
 Judges – Oversaw
courts cases

16. The Republic of Rome
 Judges – Oversaw
courts cases

17. The Republic of Rome

18. The Republic of Rome

19. The Republic of Rome - Internal
Problems

20. The Republic of Rome - Internal
Problems
 Wide spread use of
slave labor from
conquered territories
 Slave labor forced
small farmers out of
business. Led to
mass unemployment
and poverty.
 Mob riots and
corruption in the
government.
 Attempts at reform
failed.
 High tensions
between Patricians
and Plebeians.
 Gradually, political
participation
broadened.

21. The Republic of Rome - Internal
Problems
 Wide spread use of
slave labor from
conquered territories
 Slave labor forced
small farmers out of
business. Led to
mass unemployment
and poverty.
 Mob riots and
corruption in the
government.
 Attempts at reform
failed.
 High tensions
between Patricians
and Plebeians.
 Gradually, political
participation
broadened.

22. The Republic of Rome - External Problems
Very effective in setting up military colonies - included
them in republic, thus gradually Italy was theirs!

23. The Republic of Rome - External Problems
Very effective in setting up military colonies - included
them in republic, thus gradually Italy was theirs!

24. The Republic of Rome - External Problems
Very effective in setting up military colonies - included
them in republic, thus gradually Italy was theirs!
Other primary
challenge:
*Carthaginians
*After three wars
(264-146 BCE) – called
the Punic Wars –
Carthage destroyed
*Also war with the
Antigonids and
Seleucids (won those
too)

25. Hannibal

26. Hannibal

27. Hannibal
In 218 BC the Carthaginian
general Hannibal led his army,
including dozens of war
elephants, from Spain across
the Pyrenees, through Gaul to
Rome. Hannibal surprised the
Romans and began 15 years of
fighting. In the end, the Romans
attacked Carthage and ended
Hannibal’s attacks against
Rome. Rome now ruled the
Mediterranean.

28. From Republic to Empire...
 Imperial expansion brought good and bad
 wealth and power/control of Med. Sea
 class tensions (unequal distribution of wealth)
• conquered lands went to wealthy
 latifundia created/slave labor used
• small farmers couldn’t compete
• led to violent conflict/civil war...
• attempts to redistribute wealth fail (Gracchi bros.)
 how to administer conquered lands?
 Started to become clear the the constitution
for the republic was not suitable for empire
7

29. From Republic to Empire...
 1st Century BCE - 1st Century CE
 CHAOS!
• politicians and generals jockey for power
• recruit personal armies
 interests of the army/leaders become more important
than “Rome”
• Marius and Sulla are good examples of new way of
governing (use of terror)
• Nephew of General Marius, JULIUS CAESAR
begins to maneuver into position of power...
 very popular in Rome (held events for the public -
gladiators, etc)
 defeated GAUL (France) and brought into the “empire”
8

30. Julius Caesar and the birth
of empire...

31. Julius Caesar and the birth
of empire...
 Turns his army on Rome
and by 46 BCE names
himself “dictator” for life

32. Julius Caesar and the birth
of empire...
 Turns his army on Rome
and by 46 BCE names
himself “dictator” for life
 Centralizes military and
politics

33. Julius Caesar and the birth
of empire...
 Turns his army on Rome
and by 46 BCE names
himself “dictator” for life
 Centralizes military and
politics
 large-scale building
projects to employ

34. Julius Caesar and the birth
of empire...
 Turns his army on Rome
and by 46 BCE names
himself “dictator” for life
 Centralizes military and
politics
 large-scale building
projects to employ
 redistributes land

35. Julius Caesar and the birth
of empire...
 Turns his army on Rome
and by 46 BCE names
himself “dictator” for life
 Centralizes military and
politics
 large-scale building
projects to employ
 redistributes land
 extended citizenship to
the provinces

36. Under Julius Caesar...
10

37. Under Julius Caesar...
10

38. Under Julius Caesar...
10

39. Julius Caesar and the birth
of empire...

40. Julius Caesar and the birth
of empire...
 Caesar is assassinated by
the Senate he tried to
displace.

41. Julius Caesar and the birth
of empire...
 Caesar is assassinated by
the Senate he tried to
displace.
 Rome plunges into Civil War.

42. Julius Caesar and the birth
of empire...
 Caesar is assassinated by
the Senate he tried to
displace.
 Rome plunges into Civil War.
 Octavian, Caesar’s nephew,
becomes Caesar Augustus.
 Rules for 45 years
 Institutions of empire take
root
 Stabilized Rome
 Accumulated vast powers
 Next 2 centuries -
expansion and integration

43. Pax Romana
Latin for "the Roman peace", is the long
period of peace experienced by states
within the Roman Empire.
Roman rule and its legal system pacified
regions which had suffered from the
quarrels between rival leaders
Rome still fought a number of wars against
neighboring states and tribes, most
notably the Germanic tribes and Parthia.
Era of relative tranquility, with no major civil
wars nor serious invasions. (unlike the
first century BC)
Characterized by rule of emperors, a lack of
democracy and a strong military
presence.

44. Pax Romana
Roman rule and its legal system pacified
regions which had suffered from the
quarrels between rival leaders
Rome still fought a number of wars against
neighboring states and tribes, most
notably the Germanic tribes and Parthia.
Era of relative tranquility, with no major civil
wars nor serious invasions. (unlike the
first century BC)
Characterized by rule of emperors, a lack of
democracy and a strong military
presence.

45. Pax Romana
Rome still fought a number of wars against
neighboring states and tribes, most
notably the Germanic tribes and Parthia.
Era of relative tranquility, with no major civil
wars nor serious invasions. (unlike the
first century BC)
Characterized by rule of emperors, a lack of
democracy and a strong military
presence.

46. Pax Romana
Era of relative tranquility, with no major civil
wars nor serious invasions. (unlike the
first century BC)
Characterized by rule of emperors, a lack of
democracy and a strong military
presence.

47. Pax Romana
Characterized by rule of emperors, a lack of
democracy and a strong military
presence.

48. Pax Romana

49. The Roman Achievements...
*Roman Roads - As early as the 4th century BC, a good
road system was recognized as vital for military
deployment, communication and increasing
commerce. By having an option to traveling around
the peninsula or along the coast line of Italy, travelers
and merchants could avoid some threat of storms,
pirates and navigational problems.
 Well trained and extensive military. Because the
military presence on Roman roads was so extensive,
travel and trade were safer and much faster.
 Roman rule of law - An accused person is innocent
until proven guilty. (12 Tables...)

50. The Roman Achievement

51. The Roman Achievement

52. The Roman Achievements
 Aqueducts –
Roman water
systems often
carried water to
cities from
mountain streams
hundreds of miles
away. Only a
highly organized
civilization with
advanced
technology could
create such a
system.

53. The Roman Achievements
 Aqueducts –
Roman water
systems often
carried water to
cities from
mountain streams
hundreds of miles
away. Only a
highly organized
civilization with
advanced
technology could
create such a
system.

54. The Roman Achievements
 Aqueducts –
Roman water
systems often
carried water to
cities from
mountain streams
hundreds of miles
away. Only a
highly organized
civilization with
advanced
technology could
create such a
system.

55. More Achievements...
 Highly sophisticated
public buildings and
baths.

56. More Achievements...
 Highly sophisticated
public buildings and
baths.

57. More Achievements...
 Highly sophisticated
public buildings and
baths.

58. Rome at its Height
60 – 400 AD

60. Roman philosophy and religions
of salvation...
 Polytheistic and often borrowed others
deities
 Roman thinkers (Cicero) relied heavily on
STOIC thought (natural law and order)
 Religion of salvation
 Mithraism (esp. w/ military)
 Cult of Isis (ancient Egypt - allowed women
too)
 Appealed to the masses
• something to live for and something better to come
18

61. The Jewish tradition leads to
Christianity in the empire...
 Jewshad maintained their communities
under several empires
 Tense relations with imperial authorities (they
wouldn’t worship them...)
 Several rebellions but ultimately put down in
the Jewish War (66-70 CE)
 Scatter and some join other sects
• Essenes (Dead Sea Scrolls in Palestine)
• Christians (Jesus of Nazareth 4BCE-30CE)
 basic information on religion charts!
19

62. Christianity
 To prevent more rebellion,
Jesus is crucified -
movement takes off!
 Early Christians persecuted
 Pax Romana and Road
system lead to the spread
of the religion (Paul of
Tarsus helps move
religion past the Jews)
 Message appeals to large
slave population Jesus healing the blind man.
 By 312 AD, Emperor
Constantine had decreed
Christianity the official
religion of Rome. (just
moved to monotheism!)

63. Spread of Christianity...
21

64. Spread of Christianity...
21