Ch.11.1: Founding of Rome

© 2017 Amy Mezni

The Founding

of Rome

©2020 Amy Mezni

©2020 Amy Mezni

Rome is located in modern-day
Italy, a peninsula in southern
Europe stretching into the
Mediterranean Sea.

•The Alps cross northern Italy,
while the Apennine Mountains
stretch north and south
through the country.

•It has large flat plains, rich soil,
and mild climate, making it
good location for agriculture.

Italy Today

Multiple Choice

What is Italy?

• a penninsula

• a state

• an island

• a continent

©2020 Amy Mezni

• Rome is an ancient city in

what is now central Italy,
located in southern
Europe on a peninsula
stretching into the
Mediterranean Sea.

• It was built along a bend

in the Tiber River, where
“the Seven Hills of Rome”
provided natural defenses
as well as access to water.

Where is Rome
and the Roman
Republic?

Multiple Choice

Where is Rome
and the Roman
Republic?

• ancient city in Italy

• located along the Tiber river

• ancient city in Italy and was built along a bend of the Tiber River

• Located on the Tigris River in present day Italy

©2020 Amy Mezni

Rome’s location was divided by
mountains and bodies of water.

•Rome was built on seven hills,
which protected it from attackers.

•The Tiber River provided fresh
water and transportation.

•It’s inland location protected it
from pirates.

Rome’s Location

©2020 Amy Mezni

Locate Rome in the upper left corner of the map below. What
ancient cities of the Latins can you identify that also lie along
the Tiber River? Can you find the city named after the river?

• An Indo-European speaking Italic

tribe that lived along the Tiber
River Valley.

• They lived there from about 1000

BCE, prior to the Etruscan migration
into the region.

• The Romans are believed to have

descended from the Latins.

• Historians believe the Latins tended

herds of sheep and grew crops in
the area where Rome is today.

The Latins

Fill in the Blank

Romans are believed to descend from who?

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• Around 750 – 500 BCE, the Greeks built

colonies in what is modern-day Italy.

• The Greeks taught the Romans many

things, including how to grow olives and
grapes, the Greek alphabet, and art forms
such as sculpture.

The Greeks

Multiple Choice

True or False: The Greeks taught the Romans many things like the arts and the alphabet?

• True

• False

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• Developed in Italy around 800 BCE.

• The Etruscan League was an alliance of smaller

city-states similar to that of Ancient Greece.

• The Etruscans initially conquered their Roman

neighbors but were absorbed into Roman
Culture and Civilization after 500 BCE.

• The Etruscans influenced Roman culture.

• They taught the Romans how to build roads,

temples, streets, and public squares.

• They also introduced togas and short cloaks

to Romans.

• The Etruscans also taught the Romans how

to make their armies more effective.

Etruscans

Multiple Select

What did the Etruscans teach the Romans? Select all that apply.

• rods, temples and streets

• how to cook and farm

• introduced togas and cloaks

• how to make their armies better

Multiple Choice

Who were the Etruscans?

• an alliance of smaller city-states

• rebel greek city states

• a place in Rome

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• In 509 BCE, the Romans rebelled against

the Etruscans and set up a republic. A
republic is a form of government in
which citizens elect their leaders.

• The Roman Army grew strong. They

divided the army into legions of 4,000 –
6,000 men. When the army conquered
an area, the Romans built military towns
there and connected them with roads.

• The Romans allowed some conquered

people to become citizens. Allies of
Rome were allowed to run their towns
but had to pay taxes to Rome.

Roman
Republic

Multiple Choice

The Romans rebelled against the Etruscans to form a republic. What is a republic?

• government in
  which citizens elect their leaders

• government in
  which citizens are in charge

• government in
  which has a king

©2020 Amy Mezni

•According to Roman myth, the city of Rome was
founded in 753 BCE by the twin brothers, Romulus
and Remus, who were sons of Mars, the god of
war. The twins were set adrift in the Tiber River by
a king of Alba Longa and rescued by a she-wolf.

•The twins survived to avenge themselves on the
king and established their own city along the
river’s banks. Romulus became the city’s first king
after murdering his brother.

•Afterward, a line of Sabine, Latin, and Etruscan
kings would follow in non-hereditary succession.
While all of these kings were given the title “Rex”
(meaning king in Latin), every king after Romulus
was elected by the Roman Senate.

The Mythical Founding of Rome