The Myth of the Birth of Rome

Transcription

1 The Rise of Rome

2 The Myth of the Birth of Rome A princess once gave birth to twin sons, Romulus and Remus. Their father was the Roman god of war, Mars. The king, who was also the princess s uncle, was so worried that the boys would take the throne from him that he ordered his soldiers to have the boys drowned in the Tiber River. But instead, the twins were rescued by a wolf. When the twins grew up, they decided to build a city along the Tiber River where they had been rescued by the wolf. They fought over who would be the ruler of the city which led to Romulus killing his brother, Remus. Romulus became the king and named the city Rome.

3 The Early Romans and their Neighbors The Latins were the first group of people to live in the area that would become Rome. Nobody knows who was the first king. A Latin tribe built the village that would eventually develop into Rome. The Romans were greatly influenced by two neighbors, the Etruscans and the Greeks. The Etruscans ruled much of northern and central Italy. The Greeks ruled parts of southern Italy and on the island of Sicily.

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5 Etruscan Engineering The Romans became great builders. Two Etruscan structures: the arch and the cuniculus (underground irrigation system). Etruscan arches rested on two pillars. A cuniculus was a long underground trench used to irrigate land, drain swamps, and carry water to their cities. The Romans adapted both of these structures, using arches to build bridges, stadiums and using a cuniculus to build aqueducts. facts from above to describe the influence Etruscan engineering had on Rome.

6 Etruscan Sporting Events Etruscan custom was to stage slave fights during funerals. They would choose two slaves of the dead master and have them fight to the death using swords and small shields. After being anointed the victor, the winner of the fight was executed. The Etruscans also watched chariot races. These competitions often resulted in death. The Romans adapted both of these sporting events by having thousands of slaves die fighting as gladiators. Gladiators would fight each other or wild animals. They also watched chariot racing. facts from above to describe the influence Etruscan sporting events had on Rome.

7 Greek Architecture The Greeks built marble temples to be homes for their gods/goddesses. The Romans used Greek designs to construct public buildings such as the Pantheon. The Romans also used concrete to build stadiums such as the Colosseum. This is where gladiators would fight. Romans would watch chariot races at the Circus Maximus, which seated more than 200,000 people. facts from above to describe the influence Greek architecture had on Rome.

8 Greek Writing Romans had a modified version of the Greek alphabet. Like the Greeks, the Romans wrote in all capital letters. The Romans also carved important documents (laws, treaties, etc.) into stone (sometimes walls and columns for all to see). Roman writers were influenced by Greek poetry and myths. The Trojan War facts from above to describe the influence Greek writing had on Rome.

9 Greek Art Romans imitated the work of Greek potters, painters, and sculptors, but they had their own style. Greek influence on Roman painting and sculpture is known as Greco-Roman art. Romans collected Greek art, built monuments in a Greek style and used Greek art as models for their own work. Romans created lifelike portraits and used art to celebrate great leaders and events. facts from above to describe the influence Greek art had on Rome.

10 Greek Religion Early Romans had their own gods and rituals. But as they came into contact with other cultures such as the Greeks, their ideas about the gods changed. They would blend characteristics of a god from another culture with their own god. They adapted many Greek gods as their own but gave them Roman names. Zeus became Jupiter, Aphrodite became Venus, and Ares became Mars. facts from above to describe the influence Greek religion had on Rome.