2. Ancient Rome2nd ESO

Maira Gil Camarón

The origin of RomeFOUNDING OF ROME

FACTS – Archaeological remains and ancient texts LEGENDS – Romulus and Remus / Aeneas

THE BIRTH OF THE CITY: HISTORICAL EVIDENCEArchaeology sais that Rome was founded in the mid 8-century

BC by Latin tribes and settled in 7 hills near the river Tiber

THE BIRTH OF THE CITY: LEGENDS AENEAS – The Romans wanted to

create a myth to explain the origins of Rome. In the 1st century BC, Virgil wrote an epic poem called the Aeneid telling that Rome was founded because of the wishes of the gods and heroes of Greek mythology. So, the city’s origin were linked to Aeneas, the hero of Troy and the son of Venus (a hero), who left Troy and settle in Latium

ROMULUS AND REMUS – Rome was founded by the twin brothers Romulus and Remus (sons of Mars and a descendant of Aeneas, Rhea Silvia). There were abandoned after their birth and they were nursed by a she-wolf and raised by a shepherd. In 753 BC they decided to found a city on the Palatine Hill, where the she-wolf had saved them. After some arguments, Romulus killed Remus and became the first king of Rome

Chronology

The Monarchy

The end of the Monarchy

The Republic

THE FIGHT FOR CITIZENSHIP The patricians controlled the government: a minority

of aristocratic families (genes). They made laws, exercised justice and monopolised public positions. At the beginning only the patricians had political rights

The plebeians (more numerous): peasants, artisans and traders who had settled in the city. They had no political rights, paid taxes and had to join the army They fought for the same rights as patricians

THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT There were three fundamental institutions in the Republic

The PUPULAR ASSEMBLIES (COMITIA) were made up of citizens who voted for laws and elected the magistrates

The SENATE was the centre of political life. People had to consult the Senate on all matters. It controlled the money

The MAGISTRATES were in charge of the government. They acted in the name of the Senate and the people of Rome

THE POWER OF THE ARMYThe Roman powerful and effective army was composed by all citizens between the ages 17 and 60. When a soldier joined the army, he was assigned to a legion, which was made up of 5500 men. During military campaigns, legionaries stayed in camps that were often the origin of later cities.

The Empire

Roman religion and Christianity