NAME ______

Chapter 6: Ancient Rome & Early Christianity

Focus

  • 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 protected by the sea and the arc of the Alps mountains.
  • Roman mythology, like Greek mythology, was based upon a polytheistic religion that was integral to culture, politics, and art.
  • Many of Western civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images come from ancient Roman mythology.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The Roman Republic, in the face of changing social and economic conditions, succumbed to civil war and was replaced by an imperial regime, the Roman Empire.
  • Augustus Caesar established the Roman Empire by instituting civil service, rule by law, a common coinage, and secure travel and trade throughout the Empire.
  • Following Augustus Caesar, the Roman Empire enjoyed 200 years of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.
  • The followers of Jesus spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, bringing it into conflict with Roman polytheism and eventually changing Western civilization.
  • As the Roman Empire declined in the West, the Church of Rome grew in importance, followers, and influence. Conquests and trade spread Roman cultural and technological achievements throughout the Empire.
  • Western civilization was influenced by the cultural achievements of Rome.
  • Over a 300 year period, the western part of the Roman Empire steadily declined because of internal and external problems.

Vocab

Republic

Patrician

Plebeian

Tribune

Consul

Senate

Dictator

Legion

Hannibal

Scipio

Julius Caesar

Triumvirate

Augustus

Pax Romana

gladiator

Jesus

Apostle

Peter

Paul

Diaspora

Bishop

Pope

Constantine

Heresy

Inflation

Mercenary

Diocletian

Constantinople

Aqueduct

Virgil

Questions

  1. How was geographic location important to the economic, social, and political development of ancient Rome?
  1. What impact did Roman mythology have on later civilizations?
  2. How did the government of the RomanRepublic become more democratic in its decision making?
  1. How did military conquests alter economic and social life in Rome?
  1. How did an imperial monarchy come to rule Rome?
  1. What was the Pax Romana?
  1. How and why did Christianity spread?
  1. What was the impact of the early Church in the late Roman Empire?
  1. How did Roman achievements influence Western civilization?
  1. Why did the Western Roman Empire decline?

Using the exhibit, choose the letter of the best answer.

____ 1. Carthage was located on which continent?

A. Europe

B. Asia

C. Africa

D. Australia

____ 2. What body of water did both opponents share?

A. Adriatic Sea

B. Ionian Sea

C. Atlantic Ocean

D. Mediterranean Sea

____ 3. Through which mountain ranges did Hannibal's army have to travel with elephants?

A. Himalayas and Alps

B. Pyrenees and Alps

C. Apennines and Himalayas

D. Alps and Apennines

____ 4. What was the site of the earliest major battle shown on the map?

A. Messana

B. Zama

C. Carthage

D. Cannae

____ 5. Which part of the Mediterranean Sea did Rome control by the end of the Punic Wars?

A. western Mediterranean

B. eastern Mediterranean

C. northern Mediterranean

D. southern Mediterranean

____ 6. Approximately how many miles did Hannibal's forces march to reach Cannae?

A. 1,000

B. 1,500

C. 2,000

D. 2,500

____ 7. Why did Hannibal take the invasion route he did to conquer Rome?

A. He had to pick up his elephants in Spain.

B. The calvary were waiting for Hannibal in Gaul.

C. He wanted to take the Romans by surprise.

D. All of the above are true.

____ 8. Who won the Punic Wars, and how do you know?

A. Carthage won because Hannibal's route continued on to Zama.

B. Rome won because the major battle key label was placed there.

C. Carthage won because the fighting lasted so long.

D. Rome won because by 146 B.C. the Roman territory had expanded.

____ 9. How many years passed between the battle of Cannae and the battle at Zama?

A. 10

B. 12

C. 14

D. 16

____ 10. Which islands did Rome win between 264 B.C. and 146 B.C.?

A. Balearic Islands, Sicily, Crete

B. Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica

C. Sardinia, Balearic Islands, Rhodes

D. Corsica, Crete, Sardinia