The 3 key years in
Ancient Rome are: 753
BC (foundation and
Monarchy), 509 BC
(Republic), 27 BC
(Empire) and 476 AD
(fall of the Western
Roman Empire)
Monarchy
(753 - 509 BC)
At the founding of its
history, Rome was an
absolute monarchy,
which was
sometimes given
advice by the Senate.
The Senate consisted of a
small group of rich families
known as Patricians. The
people in the poorer group
were called Plebeians.
Plebeians had no rights,
payed high taxes and served
in the army.
Rome had seven kings, the
first 4 ones were Latini and
the last 3 ones were
Etruscans.
In 509 BC, there was a revolt
against the Etruscans, which
led to the expulsion of
Tarquin "The Proud"
Origins.
Rome has
2 different
origins:
Historical origin:
On 753, BC, Latin tribes
settled at the seven hills
close to the Tiber River.
This place was ideal
because they were
protected by the hills
and river. This also was
ideal because of the
many trade routes that
went through there.
Mythological origin:
In the mythological
origin, Romulus and
Remus founded Rome,
which were raised by a
wolf.
The Republic ( 509 - 27 BC)
During the Republic,
there were 3
fundamental
institutions:
Popular assemblies:
All the citizens as a
social group. They
passed laws and
elected magistrates.
Magistrates were
responsible for
government. Each
magistrate's work
lasted one year.
The Senate was made
up of 300 members who
had been magistrates.
They took important
decisions, such as peace
or war and controlled
the magistrates' work.
Plebeians fought for
right for 200 years, such
as access to the
magistracies, improved
justice and abolishment
of slavery.
This caused
patricians to create
new magistracies,
such as the Plebeian
Tribunes and
Plebeian Aediles. (494 BC)
Plebeians also
recieved
access to the
magistracies.
Patricians also
promulgated the Law of
the 12 Tables, which was a
written record of laws
whch gave the plebeians
rights. (451 BC)
They got the
right to name
their own
consuls. (367 BC)
Rome expanded its
territory by subjugating
Latins and conquering
the Gauls, Latini and
Greeks.
(4th to 3rd centuries BC)
After defeating the
Phoenicians, they extended
their empire to the Western
Mediterranean.
(3rd to 2nd centuries BC)
Finally, they conquered Macedon, Greece and Syria.
(2nd century BC - 2nd century AD)
The Empire (27 BC - 476 AD)
The first emperor was
Octavius Augustus. The
emperors controlled all
powers. To improve the
administration of territories,
they divided the empire into
provinces, which payed taxes
to Rome. The conquests
continued, and by the time of
the Emperor Trajan (AD 98 -
177), the Empire reached its
maximum point.
Through the 1st and 2nd
centuries AD, the Empire
enjoyed a long period of
peace known as the Pax
Romana.
Because of this,
the economy
and culture
developed.
It also helped
Romanisation and
caused more countries
to speak Latin.
In the 3rd century AD,
Rome faced a major
crisis. The reasons
included civil wars,
attacks by Germanic
Peoples, end of
conquests and the
abandonment of cities.
So, in 395 AD, Theodosius
I divided the empire in 2:
The Western Empire and
the Eastern empire. The
Eastern Empire's capital
was Constantinople.
But, in 476,
Romulus Augustus
was dethroned,
causing the
Western Roman
Empire to
disappear.