Unit 1: Ancient Rome

Question 1

The early founding of Rome

Answer 1

Rome probably started as a farming village around the year 750 B.C.
It was established on the Tiber River
Legend says that Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus

Question 2

Romulus and Remus

Answer 2

Romulus and Remus were twins that lived in Latium. The king there felt threatened by them and he sent them as children to drown in the Tiber River. They survived. When they grew up they killed the king who wanted to drown them and decided to build their own city. Romulus killed Remus over an argument of where the city would be. He named the city “Rome”

Question 3

Servius Tullius

Answer 3

Was an Etruscan king who invented census
This divided people into social classes
It helped to be more organized
Invented legions (groups pf soldiers)

Question 4

The establishment and organization of the Roman republic

Answer 4

In 509 B.C.E, a group of patricians overthrew the las Etruscan king
This led to the establishment of the Republic
The republic consisted of a senate
The senate had 2 consuls
The decisions of the senate were treated as law

Question 5

From republic to empire

Answer 5

Patricians held all the power
Plebians started to rebel in 494 B.C.E, they gained equality and made the twelve tables were laws were written down in 451 B.C.E.
A constitution was written.
“The people’s good is the highest law.” -Cicero

Question 6

From republic to empire (the 4 periods of expansion)

Answer 6

1st period of expansion: 509-264 B.C.E
Rome conquers their latin neighbors, gains control of the Italian peninsula

2nd period of expansion: 264-146 B.C.E
Rome fought carthrage (north africa) these 3 wars were called the punic wars

3rd period of expansion: 145-44 B.C.E.
Rome ruled the entire Mediterranean world. Rome gains control of the East while Julius Caesar conquers Gaul

4th period of expansion: 44 B.C.E.- 14 C.E.
Rome transitions to an empire ruled by Caesar Augustus. Rome expands from Britain to the Black Sea. Julius Caesar wanted power and was banned from Rome, but then returned to be the emperor and ended the republic.

Question 7

Marc Anthony

Answer 7

Octavian defeats Marc Anthony in a fight to be the emperor and Marc Anthony flees to egypt to be with Cleopatra, but they both kill themselves

Question 8

Caesar Augustus

Answer 8

He was Julius Caesar’s grand nephew. His real name was Octavian but was changed to Caesar Augustus. This period was known as “Pax Romana.” “I found it brick and left it marble.”
This was a very good time for Rome.

Question 9

Julius Caesar

Answer 9

General who conquered Gaul. Then became emperor and ended the republic to start the empire

Question 10

Punic Wars

Answer 10

Were in the second period of expansion were Rome fought Carthrage in three major wars

Question 11

Daily life in Rome

Answer 11

1 million people lived in Rome at its height
Crime and disease was really common
Lifespan was 20-35
Families were ruled by the father
Some entertainment was free
Education was for the wealthy
Some entertainment was only for the rich

Question 12

Social classes

Answer 12

Patricians: rich 5%pop
Plebians: middle-low class 95%pop
Slaves

Question 13

Rome military

Answer 13

Rome had a very powerful and big army and conquered a lot of Europe because of that

Question 14

Entertainment

Answer 14

Some entertainment was for the rich, but some was for everyone
Rich: plays, musical performances, etc.
Everyone: chariot races(circus maximus), gladiator fights (colusseum)

Question 15

“Bread and Circuses for the masses”

Answer 15

The leaders of Rome gave free food and entertainment to the poor so they will be happy and won’t rebel

Question 16

The great fire of 64 C.E.

Answer 16

In this year 70% of Rome burned down. Nero, the emperor of that time, blamed the christians. Some think Nero started the fire for his own purposes.

Question 17

Life as a gladiator

Answer 17

Gladiators had to fight with animals or other people to the death

Question 18

Life as a slave

Answer 18

Slaves had to go wherever and do whatever their masters told them

Question 19

The origins and spread of christianity

Answer 19

Christianity was open to everyone
It was monotheistic 
The christians tried to change roman beliefs
The christians grew in secret
They were persecuted

Question 20

Nero’s persecution of the christians.

Answer 20

Nero sent to kill many christians because of their beliefs. Many christians died( about 5 thousand)

Question 21

Constantine

Answer 21

He had a vision to fight for the christians. He became the first baptized emperor. More people became christian after that

Question 22

Rome’s fall

Answer 22

Rome began too big to control. It dived into 2 parts. The western half got attacked too often. The east had all the rich people. It became more and more divided.

Question 23

Statement of Inquiry:

Answer 23

“A society may fall, but aspects of its greatness may remain.”