Common associations with Rome: Roman Legions, Roman Senate, notable figures like Julius Caesar and Augustus, and Roman architecture.
Purpose: Provide an overarching history of Rome to contextualize its place in history and geography.
Timeline Overview
High-level timeline: 8th Century BCE to 5th Century CE, over 1,000 years of history.
The Roman Empire's legacy extends beyond this period, especially in Western civilization.
Division of the Empire: In the 4th Century CE, the Empire splits into Eastern and Western regions, with the Eastern Empire (Byzantine Empire) lasting until 1453 CE.
The Founding of Rome
Legendary Founding: 753 BCE by Romulus, who allegedly killed his brother Remus. Legend states they were raised by a she-wolf.
Historians debate the mythology but agree on the city's mid-8th Century BCE founding.
Early Rome and the Etruscans
Location: Marked by an 'X' on the map.
Etruscan Dominance: The Etruscans were the dominant power during the Roman Kingdom period.
Transition to the Roman Republic
Established: 509 BCE.
Republic Period: Rome begins to exert more regional influence.
Rise and Decline of the Roman Empire
From Republic to Empire: Transition marked by Julius Caesar's conquests and civil war, leading to Augustus's establishment as Emperor in 27 BCE.
Western Empire Decline: Begins in the 3rd century CE; sacked multiple times in the 5th century.
End of Western Empire: Typically marked in 476 CE.
Geographic Expansion
Maps used to show growth: Emphasizing the Empire’s territorial changes.
Punic Wars: Series of conflicts with Carthage in the 3rd century BCE, leading to Roman dominance in the Mediterranean.
Division and Fall
4th Century Division: Empire splits into Western (Rome-centered) and Eastern (Constantinople-centered) Empires.
Byzantine Empire: Continues for another thousand years until conquered by the Ottomans in 1453 CE.
Key Takeaways
Rome's influence is profound and long-lasting in Western civilization.
Roman history is marked by significant transitions from monarchy to republic to empire.
The legacy continues through the Byzantine Empire after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.