Chapter 7 Notes/Study Guide – Ancient Rome WH 1.

WH 1.6 The student will demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C. to 500
A.D. in terms of its impact on Western civilization by
a) P1 assessing the influence of geography on Roman economic, social, and political
development.
How was geographic location important to economic, social, and political development of ancient
Rome?
- The city of Rome, with its central location on the Italian peninsula, was able to extend its influence
over the entire Mediterranean Basin.
- The Italian peninsula was distant from Eastern Mediterranean power centers and protected by the
sea and an arc of mountains, the Alps.
P2 Location and place
 Rome – Centrally located in the Mediterranean Basin and distinct (clearly defined) from
eastern Mediterranean powers
 Italian Peninsula.
 Alps - Protection.
 Mediterranean Sea – Protection, sea-borne commerce.

b) P1 describing Roman mythology and religion.

What was the source of Roman mythology?
- Roman mythology, like Greek mycology, was based upon polytheistic religion that was integral to
culture, politics, and art.
- Many of Western civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images comes from
ancient Roman mythology.
P2 Roman mythology
 Based on the Greek polytheistic religion
 Explanation of natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events
What impact did Roman mythology have on later civilizations?
P2 Roman gods and goddesses
 Jupiter, Juno, Apollo, Diana, Minerva, and Venus
 Symbols and images in literature, art, monumental architecture, and politics

c) P1 explaining the social structure and role of slavery, significance of citizenship, and the
development of democratic features in the government of the Roman Republic.
How did the government of the Roman Republic become more democratic in its decision-making?
Although women, most aliens (non-Romans living in the Republic), and slaves were excluded from
the governing process, the Roman Republic made major strides in the development of
representative democracy, which became a foundation of modern democracy.
P2 Social structure in the Roman Republic
 Patricians – Powerful nobility (few in number).
 Plebeians – Majority of population.
 Slaves – not based on race
P2 Citizenship
 Patrician and plebeian men
 Selected foreigners.
 Rights and responsibilities of citizenship (taxes, military service).
P2 Features of Democracy
 Representatives democracy
 Assemblies.
 The Senate
 Consuls
 Laws of Rome codified as Twelve Tables
d) P1 sequencing events leading to Roman military domination of the Mediterranean basin
and Western Europe and the spread of Roman culture in these areas.

Why was Rome able to conquer Carthage and then go on to extend its influence across the entire
Mediterranean basin and much of Western Europe?
- The Roman people were willing to commit any resources (ex. money, men) necessary to win the
wars. Also, they were able to keep their alliances with the city-states and countries in the Italian
peninsula.
- After the victory over Carthage in the Punic Wars, Rome was able, over the next 100 years, to
dominate the Mediterranean Basin, leading to the diffusion of Roman culture.

P2 Punic Wars: Rome v. Carthage (264-146 B.C.)

 Rome and Carthage were in competition for trade.
 Hannibal invaded the Italian Peninsula.
 Three wars resulted in Roman victory, the destruction of Carthage, and expanded trade and
wealth for Rome.
P2 Evolution of the Roman Empire and spread of Roman culture
 Mediterranean basin (Africa, Asia, Europe, including the Hellenistic world of the Eastern
Mediterranean)
 Western Europe (Gaul, British Isles)

e) P1 assessing the impact of military conquests on the army, economy, and social
structure of Rome.

Why did the Roman Republic fail to survive challenges by Julius Caesar?
- The Roman Republic, in the face of changing social and economic conditions, succumbed to civil
war and was replaced by an imperial regime, the Rome victory.
How did military conquests alter economic and social life in Rome?
- As Rome expanded, small farmers spent longer periods away fighting. Many were forced to sell
their land to wealthier landowners. This led to the development of large estates known as latifundia,
which were worked by massive teams of slaves.
- Slaves from conquered lands replaced small farmers. The farmers and retired soldiers then moved
to the cities and became unemployed but demanding of the government (ex. entertainment -
gladiatorial games, food, housing)

P2 Causes for the decline of the Roman Republic

 Spread of slavery in the agricultural system.
 Migration of small farmers into cities and unemployment.
 Civil war over the power of Julius Caesar.
 Devaluation of Roman currency; inflation

f) P1 assessing the roles of Julius and Augustus Caesar in the collapse of the Republic and
the rise of imperial monarchs.

How did an imperial monarchy come to rule Rome?

P2 The origin and evolution of Imperial Rome
 First triumvirate
 Julius Caesar – Seizure of power, assassination
 Augustus Caesar – Civil war, defeat of Marc Anthony, Rome’s first emperor
 Empire – Unified and enlarged, using imperial authority and the military
 Failure to provide for peaceful succession of Emperors
g) P1 explaining the economic, social, and political impact of Pax Romana.
What was the Pax Romana?
- Augustus Caesar established the Roman Empire by instituting a civil service, rule of law, common
coinage, and secure travel and trade throughout the Empire.
- Following Augustus Caesar, the Roman Empire enjoyed 200 years of peace and prosperity (with in
the Empire) known as the Pax Romana.
P2 The Pax Romana
 Two centuries of peace and prosperity under imperial rule
 Expansion and solidification of Roman Empire, particularly in the Near East

What was the impact of the Pax Romana on the Roman Empire?
- Economic impact of the Pax Romana – established a common coinage, secure travel and secure
trade throughout the Empire. A time of economic prosperity.
- Social impact of the Pax Romana – returned stability to social classes, increased emphasis on the
family.
- Political impact of the Pax Romana – created a civil service, developed a uniform rule of law.
P2 Economic impact of the Pax Romana
 Established uniform system of money, which helped to expand trade
 Guaranteed safe travel and trade on Roman roads and ships
 Promoted prosperity and stability
P2 Social impact of the Pax Romana
 Returned stability to social classes
 Increased emphasis on the family
P2 Political impact of the Pax Romana
 Created a civil service
 Developed a uniform rule of law

h) P1 describing the origin, belief, traditions, customs, and spread of Christianity.

How did Christianity become established within the Roman Empire?
- The followers of Jesus spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, beginning a process that
brought revolutionary change to Roman Culture and Western Civilization.
- It was later adopted and legalized by Emperor Constantine. Then made the official religion.

P2 Origins of Christianity
 Had its roots in Judaism
 Was led by Jesus of Nazareth, who was proclaimed the Messiah (savior)
 Conflicted with polytheistic beliefs of Roman Empire
P2 Beliefs, traditions, and customs of Christianity
What were the essential beliefs of the early Christian faith?
 Monotheism.
 Jesus as both Son and incarnation of God (trinity).
 Life after death (resurrection and ascension).
 New Testament, containing accounts of the life and teaching of Jesus, as well as writings of
early Christians.
 Christian doctrine established by early church councils (ex. Nicene).
P2 Spread of Christianity
How did Christianity spread?
The first Christians were Jews who spread the new religion by traveling to Jewish communities
throughout the Roman Empire. These communities were established because of the “Diaspora.”
 Carried by the Apostles, including Paul, throughout the Roman Empire
 Slowed as a result of persecution by Roman authorities
 Adopted and legalized by Emperor Constantine
i) P1 explaining the development and significance of the Church in the late Roman Empire.
What was the impact of the early Church in the late Roman Empire?
- As the Roman Empire declined in the West, Roman Christianity grew in importance, membership,
and influence.
P2 Impact of the Church of Rome in the late Roman Empire
 Church became an example of moral authority.
 Loyalty to the church became more important than loyalty to the Emperor.
 Church became main unifying force of Western Europe.

j) P1 listing contributions in art and architecture, technology and science, literature and
history, language, religious institutions, and law.
How did Roman achievements influence Western civilization?
- Conquests and trade spread Roman culture and technological achievements (many adopted
from the ancient Greeks) throughout the Empire.
- Western civilization was influenced by the cultural achievements of Rome.

P2 Contributions of ancient Rome

 Art/architecture: Pantheon, Colosseum, and Forum
 Science: Ptolemy
 Medicine: Emphasis on public health (public baths; public water system; medical schools)
 Language: Latin, Romance languages
 Technology: Roads, aqueducts, Roman arches
 Literature: Virgil’s Aeneid
 Religion: Roman mythology; adoption of Christianity as the imperial religion
 Law: The principle of “innocent until proven guilty” (from the Twelve Tables)

k) P1 citing the reasons for the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Why did the Western Roman Empire decline?

P2 Causes for the decline of the Western Roman Empire

 Economy – The cost of defense and devaluation of Roman currency
 Military – Army membership starting to include invaders, resulting in decline of discipline
 Moral decay – People’s loss of faith in Rome and the family
 Political problems – Civil conflict and weak administration
 Invasion – Attacks on borders

P2 Division of Roman Empire

 Move of capital by Constantine from Rome to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople

 Survival of Western Roman Empire until 476 A.D. when it ceased to have a Roman Emperor
 Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire)
Chapter 7 Notes/Study Guide – Ancient Rome WH 1.6
P 1 WH 1.6 The student will demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C. to
500 A.D. in terms of its impact on Western civilization by:
a) P2 assessing the influence of geography on Roman economic, social, and political
development. How was geographic location important to economic, social, and political
development of ancient Rome?
- The city of Rome, with its central location on the I______________ peninsula, was able to extend

its influence over the entire M_________________________ Basin.

- The Italian peninsula was distant from E_______________ Mediterranean power centers and

protected by the sea and an arc of mountains, the A_____________.

P3 Location and place
 Rome – Centrally located in the M_____________________________ Basin and distinct
(clearly defined) from eastern Mediterranean powers

 I______________________ Peninsula.

 Mountains – A__________ & P_____________________. Provided protection.

 Mediterranean Sea – Sea-borne c__________________ and provided p_______________.

b) P2 describing Roman mythology and religion. What was the source of Roman mythology?

- Roman mythology, like G____________ mythology, was based upon p______________ religion
that was integral to culture, politics, and art.

- Many of W_________________ civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images

come from ancient Roman mythology.
P3 Roman mythology

 Based on the G__________________ polytheistic religion

 Explanation of n____________________ phenomena, human qualities, and life events

P3 Roman gods and goddesses What impact did Roman mythology have on later civilizations?

 J__________________, Juno, A________________, Diana, Minerva, and V____________.

 Symbols and images in literature, a______, monumental architecture, and p____________.

c) P2 explaining the social structure and role of slavery, significance of citizenship, and the
development of democratic features in the government of the Roman Republic. How did
the government of the Roman Republic become more democratic in its decision-making?

Although w_____________, most a__________ (non-Romans living in the Republic), and s_______
were excluded from the governing process, the Roman Republic made major strides in the develop-

ment of r__________________ democracy, which became a foundation of modern d___________.

P3 Social structure in the Roman Republic

 P___________________ – Powerful nobility (few in number).

 P___________________ – Majority of population.

 S________________ – not based on race

P3 Citizenship
 Patrician and plebeian m_________

 Selected f_________________.

 Rights and responsibilities of citizenship (taxes, military service).

P3 Features of Democracy (Republic)

 Representatives d__________________

 A__________________ (legislative).

 The S______________ (legislative)

 C___________________ (executive)

 Laws of Rome codified (written) as T________________ T________________.

d) P2 sequencing events leading to Roman military domination of the Mediterranean basin
and Western Europe and the spread of Roman culture in these areas. Why was Rome able
to conquer Carthage and then go on to extend its influence across the entire Mediterranean basin
and much of Western Europe?
- The Roman people were willing to commit any r______________ (ex. money, men) necessary

to win the wars. Also, they were able to keep their a_______________ with the city-states and

countries in the Italian p__________________.

- After the victory over Carthage in the Punic Wars, Rome was able, over the next 100 years, to

dominate the Mediterranean B___________, leading to the d________________ of Roman

culture.

P3 P Wars: Rome v. Carthage (264-146 B.C.)

 Rome and C________________ were in competition for trade.

 H___________________ invaded the Italian P________________.

  Three wars resulted in Roman victory:

 the d_____________________ of Carthage

 expanded t_______________

 w__________________ for Rome.

P3 Evolution of the Roman Empire and spread of Roman culture

 Roman culture spread throughout the Mediterranean b________________ (Africa, Asia,

Europe, including the Hellenistic world of the Eastern Mediterranean)

 Roman culture spread to Western E________________ (Gaul, British Isles)

e) P2 assessing the impact of military conquests on the army, economy, and social
structure of Rome. Why did the Roman Republic fail to survive challenges by Julius Caesar?

- The Roman R___________________, in the face of changing s___________ and e_____________

conditions, succumbed to c_______ war and was replaced by an imperial regime, the Rome Empire.

How did military conquests alter economic and social life in Rome?
- As Rome expanded, small farmers spent longer periods away fighting in the army. Many were
forced to sell their land to wealthier landowners. This led to the development of large estates known

as latifundia, which were worked by massive teams of s____________.

- S____________ from c__________________ lands replaced small farmers. The farmers then
moved to the cities and became unemployed but demanding of the government (demanding

entertainment – ex. g_______________ games, chariot races; food; housing)

P3 Causes for the decline of the Roman Republic

 Spread of slavery in the a____________________ system.

 Migration of small f_______________ into cities and unemployment.

 Civil w_________ over the power of Julius C_______________.

 Devaluation of Roman c______________ (money); i____________________

f) P2 assessing the roles of Julius and Augustus Caesar in the collapse of the Republic and
the rise of imperial monarchs. How did an imperial monarchy come to rule Rome?

P3 The origin and evolution of Imperial Rome

 First t__________________________

 Julius _______________– Seizure of power, assassination

  A____________ Caesar – Civil war, defeat of Marc Anthony, Rome’s first emperor

 E_____________ – Unified and enlarged, using imperial authority and the military

 Failure to provide for peaceful succession of E__________________

g) P2 explaining the economic, social, and political impact of Pax Romana. What was the Pax
Romana?

- A_____________ Caesar established the Roman Empire by instituting a civil s______________,

rule of l__________, common coinage, and secure travel and t____________ (commerce)

throughout the Empire.

- Following Augustus Caesar, the Roman Empire enjoyed __________ years of peace and prosperity

(within the Empire) known as the P_________ R_______________.

P3 The Pax Romana

 _________ centuries of peace and prosperity under imperial rule

 E_______________ and solidification of Roman Empire, particularly in the Near East

What was the impact of the Pax Romana on the Roman Empire?

- Economic impact of the Pax Romana – established a common coinage, secure travel and secure

trade throughout the Empire. A time of economic p__________________.

- Social impact of the Pax Romana – returned stability to social c_____________, increased
emphasis on the family.

- Political impact of the Pax Romana – created a civil s_______________, developed a uniform

rule of l________.
P3 Political impact of the Pax Romana

 Created a c_______________ service

 Developed a uniform r___________ of law

P3 Social impact of the Pax Romana

 Returned stability to s_______________ classes

 Increased emphasis on the f________________

P3 Economic impact of the Pax Romana

 Established uniform system of m____________, which helped to expand trade

 Promoted p_______________ and s__________________

  Guaranteed safe t_____________ and t________________ on Roman roads and ships

h) P2 describing the origin, belief, traditions, customs, and spread of Christianity.

How did Christianity become established within the Roman Empire?

- The followers of J______________ spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, beginning
a process that brought revolutionary change to Roman Culture and Western Civilization.

- It was later adopted and legalized by Emperor C______________. Then made the official religion.
P3 Origins of Christianity

 Had its roots in J_________________

 Was led by Jesus of Nazareth, who was proclaimed the M_________________

 Conflicted with p____________________ beliefs of Roman Empire

P3 Beliefs, traditions, and customs of Christianity (What were the essential beliefs of the early
Christian faith?)
 M_____________________ (one God)

 Jesus as both S______ and incarnation of God (trinity)

 Life after d___________

 New Testament, containing accounts of the life and teaching of J_________, as well as
writings of early Christians.
 Christian doctrine established by early church c_____________
P3 Spread of Christianity How did Christianity spread?

 Carried by the A______________, including P__________, throughout the Roman Empire

 Slowed as a result of p____________________ by Roman authorities

 Adopted and legalized by E_________________ Constantine

i) P2 explaining the development and significance of the Church in the late Roman Empire.
What was the impact of the early Church in the late Roman Empire?
P3 Impact of the Church of Rome in the late Roman Empire (Roman Catholic

 Church became an example of m_________________ authority.

 Loyalty to the church became more important than loyalty to the E__________________.

 Church became main unifying force of Western E___________________.

j) P2 listing contributions in art and architecture, technology and science, literature and
history, language, religious institutions, and law.
How did Roman achievements influence Western civilization?

C_____________s and t______________ spread Roman cultural and technological achievements

(many adopted from the Greeks) throughout the Empire.

P3 Contributions of ancient Rome

 Art/architecture: P______________, C_______________, and Forum

 Law: The principle of “innocent until proven guilty” (from the T________________ Tables)

 Language: L_____________, R____________________ languages

 Technology: Roads, a________________, Roman a_____________

 Science: Pt_______________

 Medicine: Emphasis on public health (public b________; public w__________ system;

medical schools)
 Literature: V________________’s Aeneid

 Religion: Roman mythology; adoption of C____________________ as the imperial religion

k) P2 citing the reasons for the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Why did the Western Roman Empire decline?

P3 Causes for the decline of the Western Roman Empire

 Economy – The cost of d__________________ and d________________ of Roman currency

 Military – Army membership starting to include invaders, resulting in decline d___________

 Moral decay – People’s loss of faith in R_____________ and the f_______________

 Political problems – Civil conflict (civil wars) and w_____________ administration

 Invasion – Attacks on b______________

P3 Division of the Roman Empire

 Move of capital by C_________________ from Rome to Byzantium, renaming it

Constantinople

 Survival of W__________________ Roman Empire until 476 A.D. when it ceased to have a
Roman Emperor

 E___________________ Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire)