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Chapter 5 Study Guide: Ancient Rome
World History AP
Chapter 5 Summary
On the narrow Italian peninsula a small tribe of Indo-European speaking peoples would build the center of what would become a vast empire. By 133 B.C.E. they ruled one of the largest empires in world history. The republican institutions of government they had established were soon swept aside, however, with the creation of a centralized imperial state to rule this empire. By the third century the empire began to decline because of growing external threats and a weakened economy, and reforms of emperors such as Constantine, who converted to Christianity, failed to stop the slide. The empire divided into eastern and western halves by 395, and the western half fell to invaders in 476. The Romans adopted much of Greek culture thus helping to preserve it, and Roman culture influenced development in Europe particularly in language, law, administration, and architecture.
Chapter 5 Outline
World History AP: Chapter 5
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Emergence of Rome
Early Rome
Roman Republic
Roman Conquest of Italy
Roman State
Struggle of the Orders: Social Divisions in the Roman Republic
Roman Conquest of the Mediterranean (264 - 133 B.C.E.)
Punic Wars
Eastern Mediterranean
Nature of Roman Imperialism
Decline and Fall of the Roman Republic (133 - 31 B.C.E.)
Growing Inequality and Unrest
New Role for the Roman Army
Collapse of the Republic
Age of Augustus (31 B.C.E. - 14 C.E.)
Augustan Society
Early Empire (14 - 180)
The Five "Good Emperors" (96 - 180)
Roman Empire at Its Height: Frontiers and the Provinces
Prosperity in the Early Empire
Culture and Society in the Roman World
Roman Literature
Roman Art
Roman Law
Roman Family
Slaves and Their Masters
Imperial Rome
Gladitorial Shows
Transformation of the Roman World: The Development of Christianity
Religious World of the Romans
Jewish Background
Rise of Christianity
Triumph of Christianity
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Reforms of Diocletian and Constantine
Fall of the Western Roman Empire
Comparison of Roman and Han Empires
Conclusion
World History AP: Chapter 5
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Terms and persons to know
World History AP: Chapter 5
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1. Romulus and Remus
2. Latin
3. Etruscans
4. Sacred Way
5. overthrow of monarchy
6. Republic
7. Livy
8. Greeks
9. Gauls
10. Roman confederation
11. conquest of Italy
12. consuls
13. imperium
14. praetors
15. senate
16. assemblies
17. struggle of the orders
18. patricians
19. plebeians
20. tribunes of the plebs
21. Carthage
22. Punic Wars
23. Hannibal
24. Macedonia
25. Greek revolt
26. imperialism
27. nobiles
28. latifundia
29. Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
30. Marius
31. Sulla
32. First Triumvirate
33. Crassus
34. Pompey
35. Julius Caesar
36. Octavian
37. Antony
38. Cleopatra VII
39. Augustus
40. imperator
41. praetorian guard
42. three classes: senatorial, equestrian, lower
43. Julio-Claudian dynasty
44. Nero
45. Trajan
46. Hadrian
47. frontiers
48. provinces
49. trade, industry and agriculture
50. Greek culture
51. Cicero
52. Seneca
53. Tacitus
54. Roman Law
55. Twelve Tables
56. paterfamilias
57. Spartacus
58. city of Rome
59. urban populace
60. gladiatorial shows
61. amphitheaters
62. state religion
63. mystery religions
64. Judaea
65. Jesus of Nazareth
66. Paul of Tarsus
67. gospels
68. New Testament
69. persecution
70. Constantine
71. Edict of Milan
72. Theodosius the Great
73. decline and fall of the Roman empire: possible causes
74. Diocletian
75. Constantinople
76. fall of the West
World History AP: Chapter 5
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Mapwork
Map 5.1. Ancient Italy
Ø What was the importance of the Etruscans (centered in Etruria) to the early history of Rome? The Sabines? The Samnites?
Ø Where did the Gauls come from? What danger did they pose to early Rome?
Ø Why was the southern portion of the Italian peninsula called Magna Graecia, after Greek culture?
Ø According to the legend Livy records, where did Horatius make his stand?
Map: City of Rome
Ø According to legend, who founded Rome?
Ø Along what river does the city lie?
Map 5.2. Roman Conquests in the Mediterranean
Ø By the close of the Punic Wars and the wars in the eastern Mediterranean, how much of the Mediterranean world fell under Roman control? How much of this land originally had belonged to the empire of Alexander?
Ø By what means did the Romans gain Spain in the west? The Carthaginian territory in north Africa? Greece? Pergamum?
Ø Why did the Romans destroy Corinth in 146 B.C.?
Map 5.3. The Roman Empire from Augustus to Trajan, 14 to 117
Ø How much territory accrued to the Roman Empire during the first two centuries C.E.? (Refer back to Map 5.2.)
Ø Was this due to a purposeful imperialistic program, or to other causes?
Ø Why did Augustus say that the empire was big enough, and should grow no larger? Why did Trajan disagree, and pursue further expansion?
Ø How did Egypt come into Roman hands?
Ø Did the Romans ever hold Ireland? Scotland? For what purpose was Hadrian's wall built?
Ø What made Byzantium such an important city for trade?
Map 5.4. Imperial Rome
Ø According to legend, who founded the city of Rome (and constructed the original city walls)?
Ø Which of the Ways (roads) shown here was the first road built in Rome?
Ø Why was Rome beautified by the emperors with so many public buildings, including ampitheatres, racetracks, and baths?
Ø What purposes did acqueducts serve? Insulae? How many people are estimated to have lived in Rome at its height? What urban problems arose as a result?
Ø Who were the praetorians?
Ø In the history of ancient Rome, what groups successfully breached its defensive walls?
Map: The New Rome
Ø What were the reforms of Diocletian? What problems did he intend to solve?
Ø What language was commonly spoken in the western regions of the empire? In the east? What were the primary administrative cities in each region?
Ø Who was placed in charge of the new prefectures? By what means did they govern?
Ø Why did Constantine change the name of the city Byzantium? Why did he not live in Rome, as past emperors had done?
Datework
Chronology: The Roman Conquest of Italy and the Mediterranean
Ø How did the creation of the Roman confederation lead to Roman possession of the entire Italian peninsula?
Ø What was the importance of the Battle of Cannae during the Punic Wars? Why did this not secure victory for Hannibal? What happened at the Battle of Zama?
Ø Why did Cato, down to the year 146 B.C.E., end his speeches to the senate with the phrase, "Carthage must be destroyed"?
Ø Rome had declared Greece free in 196 B.C.E. Why then is Macedonia declared a Roman province in 148 B.C.E.?
Ø Which of these events listed here represent conquests in Italy? In Africa? In the east? What progression do you see developing?
Chronology: The Decline and Fall of the Republic
Ø What efforts did the Gracchus brothers make at reform? Why did the senate resist them?
Ø What important lesson did the members of the first triumvirate learn from the success of Marius and Sulla?
Ø What occupied Octavian between the years 44 and 31 B.C.E.? With what result?
Ø Given the history contained on just this brief chronological outline, why would Augustus' promise of peace and stability sound very attractive to future Roman ears?
Chronology: The Late Empire -- Chief Rulers and Events
Ø Why was the military monarchy of the Severan dynasty followed by military anarchy? What characterized the years of anarchy for the emperors of Rome?
Ø What was the significance of the Edict of Milan? How did Theodosius carry forward what Constantine had begun with this edict?
Ø Who was Romulus Augustulus? "Augustulus" means "little Augustus" in Latin. Given his position in the empire, why is this ironic?
Ø Why did the Visigoths and the Vandals move southward into the Italian peninsula in the fifth century C.E.?
Chapter Timeline: From the Roman Republic to the Fall of Rome
Ø What year is considered to mark the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire or Imperial period? Why?
Ø What were the causes for the fall of Rome in the fifth century C.E.?
Ø What part did Jesus of Nazareth play in the Roman legacy to western civilization? In what Roman province was he born?
Ø How does the struggle of the orders influence the structure of Roman government?
Primary Sources
Republican Primary Sources:
Cincinnatus Saves Rome: A Roman Morality Tale from Livy, The Early History of Rome
Ø What similarities have Americans often seen between the early Roman senator Cincinnatus and the early Roman general and statesman George Washington?
Ø What moral lesson are we to learn from Cincinnatus having resigned early from his appointment as dictator?
Ø What Roman values are exemplified here? How are they similar to the values portrayed in the story of Horatius from Livy that introduced this chapter?
Ø Why did Livy say he wrote his history? As a writer in the Augustan age, would he have pleased or displeased Augustus with such a purpose?
The Destruction of Carthage: Appian, Roman History
Ø What "technical breach" of their treaty with Rome did the Carthaginians make that led to the Third Punic War?
Ø Appian wrote this account of the fall of Carthage centuries after it occurred. Does this document strike you as factual? What features seem more rhetorical than realistic? How is this reminiscent of Silver Age Latin literature?
Ø What connection does the well-educated Roman general Scipio make between Carthage, Troy, and Rome? Why?
The Assassination of Julius Caesar: Plutarch, Life of Caesar
Ø What role did soothsayers have in Roman society? Why would a Roman leader consult them? What moral lesson are we to infer from the fact that this anonymous diviner was right?
Ø Caesar had always believed Brutus to be one of his closest friends and allies. What evidence do you see for that relationship in Plutarch's account of Caesar's death?
Ø What had been the former relationship between Caesar and Pompey? Why does this makes the scene of Caesar's death ironic?
Ø Today, when someone takes irrevocable and momentous action, they are sometimes said to have "crossed the Rubicon." Where did this saying come from? How does it relate to Caesar's success -- and ultimate assassination?
Imperial Primary Sources:
Ovid and The Art of Love
Ø Why did Ovid's Art of Love (and his Amores) fail to please Augustus? Was Ovid seriously recommending the conduct he described in these works? Why might this not have mattered to Augustus?
Ø What reforms did Augustus attempt with his program of moral and social legislation? Was he successful?
Ø Is the "woman of...choice" described in this poem married or not? What are the consequences of your answer in regard to Ovid's poetic intentions?
Ø Was adultery a serious offence in Augustan Rome for men? For women? Why was there a distinction?
Cato the Elder on Women: Livy, The History of Rome
Ø How did Roman women respond to the Oppian Law?
Ø What particular actions on the part of the women protesting this law have angered Cato?
Ø What more general concerns does he have about Roman women? What does he believe is women's ultimate goal in regard to men?
Ø Some senators claimed that the Oppian Law was intended to reduce envy between the classes (since the lower class could not afford the lavish public displays enjoyed by the upper class). Women, however, felt that the law was unfairly designed to restrict their rights (since one of the few rights granted to them in Roman public life was enjoyment of their wealth). Who was right?
The Roman Fear of Slaves: Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome and a letter of Pliny the Younger to Tacitus
Ø Compare these cources to the speech of Cato from Livy's history above. Whom did Roman male citizens fear more, slaves or women? Why?
Ø According to Pliny, why do slaves revolt?
Ø What was the largest slave revolt in Roman history? How did it end?
Ø What were the worst occupations a slave could hold in Roman society? The best?
Ø What was the approximate ratio of free persons to slaves during the time of the Empire? How were so many slaves acquired?
The Public Baths of the Roman Empire: Lucian, Hippias, or The Bath
Ø Who was responsible for building the public baths of Rome? Who used them?
Ø Note the progression from rooms of cold to warm to hot water. How is this reminiscent of a modern spa or gym?
Ø Why were the baths designed to be not merely functional, but aesthetically appealing? What lessons might modern societies learn from such a policy?
Christian Ideals: The Sermon on the Mount
Ø What was the Christian ideal to be, according to this gospel sermon?
Ø Compare this sermon to the Buddha's sermon on the Four Noble Truths from Chapter Two. How are the two different? What similarities do you see?
Ø What is the meaning of the word "gospel"? By what process did the New Testament come into existence? Why were its sources written down?
Ø How does Jesus of Nazareth's message contrast with the Greco-Roman emphasis on ritual within polytheisic state religion? How does it compare with the message of the mystery religions?
Internet Exploration
To read the Twelve Tables of ancient Rome, visit
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/12tables.html
To view photographs and descriptions of the Mausoleum of Augustus, visit
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/users/morford/augimage.html
To read a history of the Coliseum and to take a virtual tour, visit
http://www.eliki.com/ancient/civilizations/roman/
To take a virtual tour of Rome, visit
http://www.virtourist.com/europe/rome/
World History AP: Chapter 5