Ancient Rome

Geographic features of Italy that contributed to the development of its civilization include

• vast deserts that served as natural barriers

• fertile soil from the flooding of the Tiber River on the river deltas

• the river and other bodies of water that supported fishing, transportation, and trade routes

The first settlers in the Italian Peninsula

• were looking for a place to settle that was suitable for farming

• were Latins

• were not used to the harsh climate

Etruscans

• developed a writing system based on the Greek alphabet

• paved roads and built arches

• drained marshes and constructed a sewage system

Patricians

• were ruling class of wealthy landowners and nobles

• treated the Plebians unjustly

• never conceded rights to the Plebians

Plebians

• were working class of farmers, traders, and craftmen

• had many social privileges and could hold public office from the beginning

• were eventually granted rights including veto power

Rome's early form of government was a democracy.

In early Roman government the positions of chief priest, commander of the army, and chief justice were held by different people.

The fasces symbolized the power of the king.

Eventually, laws were recorded on tablets and displayed publicly in Rome.

Roman laws were built on the Law of the Twelve Tables.