Culture

                            Geography

The people who settled Rome chose a geographic location

that was good for defense, travel, and trade.

                                 Economics

To survive, Roman farmers relied on discipline and hard work.

According to legend, Romulus

founded Rome in 753 B.C.

Legend begins after Aeneas

Trojan War hero—settles in Italy

popular story from earlier times that cannot be proved

Aeneasʼ descendants—twins Romulus and Remus—wanted to found city

- Romulus traced Romeʼs boundaries around Palatine Hill

• Roman kings ruled city until conquered by Etruscans in 600s B.C.

• Romans overthrew Etruscans in 509 B.C.

formed republic—government in which people elect leaders

land surrounded on three sides by water

upper-class landowners, held high government positions

common farmers that could vote but not hold power

300 members, mostly patricians, advised leaders

- assemblies—mostly plebeian, protected plebeian rights

- commanded army, ran government for a year

- each consul could veto the other

was made dictator; legend says he ruled for one day

war between groups within same country

- a general named Marius fought for the plebeians

- a general named Sulla fought for the patricians

born around 100 B.C. into old, noble family

consul, speaker—supported republic, distrusted Caesar

meaning “exalted one”

long period of peace and stability

- empire grew to greatest size, 2 million square miles

brought water to towns through pipes and channels

- mostly underground, but also over high bridges

famous arena

trained warriors who fought to the death in arenas