Question

READING ESSENTIALS Rome: Republic to Empire

Lesson 1 The Founding of Rome

A white background with black text

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

The Beginning of Rome

Italy is a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. It is shaped like a boot. The heel points toward Greece. The toe points toward the island of Sicily.

The Alps cross the top of Italy and separate it from the rest of Europe. Another mountain range, called the Apennines, runs down Italy, from north to south. Passes, which run through the mountains, helped link people from different parts of early Italy. They could trade ideas and goods with each other. Italy has a mild climate, rich soil, and large, flat plains that make good farmland.

Historians know little about the first people in Italy. Between 2000 B.C. and 1000 B.C., groups of people settled in the hills and on the plains. These people included the Latins. Historians think that a group of Latins tended herds and grew crops on Rome’s hills. Their community developed into Rome. The people living there became known as the Romans.

Rome was built along the Tiber River about 15 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. The river could be used for fresh water, transportation, and the shipping of goods. Its location meant that sea-going pirates could not attack the city. Rome was built on seven hills. The hills made it easy to protect the city from attackers.

A white and grey box with black text

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Roman history does not just involve the Latins. Around 800 B.C., the Greeks and the Etruscans came to Italy. The Greeks built many colonies in Italy between 750 B.C. and 500 B.C. They taught the Romans to grow olives and grapes and to use the Greek alphabet. Romans also copied Greek sculpture and other art forms.

The Etruscans had an even greater influence. They came from the area north of Rome. Many Etruscans were rich miners and traders. Others were devoted to art. They painted pictures and created jewelry, tools, and weapons. When the Etruscans came, Rome was a village with straw huts. That changed, however, after 650 B.C. when the Etruscans conquered Rome. They taught the Romans to build temples, streets, and public squares.

The Etruscans introduced togas and short cloaks. A toga is like a sheet wrapped around your body, with one end over your shoulder. Most importantly, the Etruscans showed the Romans how an army could be more effective. Later, the Romans copied the Etruscan army and conquered an empire.

A close-up of a scroll

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Becoming a Republic

The Etruscans ruled Rome for more than 100 years. The people benefited from Etruscan culture and ideas, but they got tired of Etruscan rulers. According to Roman tradition, in 509 B.C., the Romans rebelled and set up a republic. A republic is a form of government in which citizens elect their leaders.

Rome was still a small city when it became a republic. It had enemies all around it. Over the next 200 years, Rome fought many wars. By 267 B.C., the Romans had taken over the Greek colonies in what is now known as Italy. By then, the Romans ruled almost all of the Italian peninsula.

The Roman Republic grew because of its strong army. Roman soldiers were well trained. At the beginning of the republic, every male citizen who owned land had to join the army. Men who ran away, or deserted the army, were killed. This turned Romans into loyal fighters.

The Romans also thought of better ways to organize their army in battle. At first, the soldiers marched next to each other, moving in one large group. They attacked their enemy from only one direction. This way of fighting was slow. Then the generals changed the style of battle.

The Roman generals divided their armies into groups of soldiers called legions. Each legion had about 6,000 men. Legions were broken into even smaller groups of 60 or 120 men. These small groups could move very quickly in battle.

Roman soldiers used a short sword called a gladius and an iron spear called a pilum. Each group also had a standard. A standard was a tall pole with a symbol on top— sometimes an eagle or other animal. One soldier would hold up the standard so others could see it. This helped the group stay together during battle.

The Romans were also smart planners. They built military towns in every region they conquered. Then they built roads between these towns. Soon their armies could travel quickly across the land. T

he Romans believed they needed to treat conquered people fairly. They stressed that people would become loyal to Rome if they were treated well. The Romans created the Roman Confederation. It gave some conquered people full Roman citizenship. They could vote and be in the government. They were also treated the same as other citizens by law.

The Romans made other people allies. Allies could run their own towns, but they had to pay taxes to Rome. Allies also had to fight in Rome’s armies. With these procedures, the Romans hoped to keep peace. If an area did rebel, Rome was ready to squash it. As a result, the Roman republic grew stronger.

Check for Understanding

List four characteristics of Rome and its people.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Answer 1

Check for Understanding

List four characteristics of Rome and its people.

1. **Strategic Location**: Rome was built along the Tiber River, about 15 miles from the Mediterranean Sea, which provided fresh water, transportation, and protection from sea-going pirates.

2. **Cultural Influence**: The Romans were influenced by both the Greeks and Etruscans, adopting their agricultural practices, art forms, and architectural techniques, such as building temples and public squares.

3. **Military Organization**: The Roman army was well-trained and innovative in its tactics, utilizing legions divided into smaller groups for more effective movement and combat. Soldiers were held to strict loyalty and discipline.

4. **Form of Government**: Rome established a republic in 509 B.C., where citizens elected their leaders, allowing for a form of government that involved participation by the citizens in political life.