In central Italy the Apennines sweep towards the east coast. To the west of the mountain lies a wide plain, through which flows the Tibet River. For much of its course the Tiber river runs in a southeastern direction, then it turns to the southwest; halfway down the western coast of Itlay it empties its water into the great island sea, the Mediterranean
In ancient times, especially in dry season, the river could be crossed by a
ford about fifteen miles up from its mouth. South of the ford lay a group of
seven hills, rising fairily steeply from the river and froming an excellent
means of defence. the ground lever between the hills gradually became a regular
trading center, to which came traders from the north with their wares and farmers
from the foothills of the Apennines with wine and grain.
To the north and west of the Tibet lived the Etuscans, a powerfulpeople differing
in race and language from the other peoples of Italy. On the southeastern side
of the river occupied by Tibes called the Latins. For purposes of defence, cheifly
against the Etruscans, the towns of the Latins combined to form Laltin league.
For some time the chief city of the league was Alba Longa (The Long White Town)
, situated on Mount Alba, some distance away from the river.
Later a new settlement was founded in the district of the seven hills on a site
more easily defended: this settlment was Rome, Beginning simply as a village
of rude shepherds and peasents, Rome grew into a prosperous city-state, which
gradually deveoped into themistress of Italy and finally into the queen-city
of all lands bording the Mediterranean. The traditional date of the founding
of Rome is April 21, 753 B.C. At first Rome was just one of many small towns
situuated in the plain of Latium. To the north lay the Etruscans: to the sout-east
and north-east respectively, the Samnited and the Umbrians , hardly mountainers
akin to the Latins. About 600 B.C. Rome destroyed Alba Longa, and transformed
some of her inhabitants to Rome.
Some times sfter this the Estuscans captured Rome, and for years Etruscan kings
ruled in the city. Under the Etruscans rulers Rome advanced in power and civilization:
its territory increased: but Rome remained a Latin city with agriculture as
its chief industry. The last of the foreign kings; Tarquinius Superbus (Tarquin
the Proud), was expelled in 510 B.C. Despite the efforts of the Etruscans to
restore him, the monarchy was abolished. Thereafter no king ruled in ancient
Rome.
The Romans now set up a republic. Two annually elected magistrates called consuls,
were placed in charge of the state. The consuls were equal in authority and
acted as a check aand balence on each other. They ruled tgey ruled the city
in peace and commanded the army in war. the consuls were assisted by a senate,
which was a council of elderly men experienced in public affairs. The citizens
met in an assembly, where they could express their wishs on many matters.
At the beginning of the republic, Rome was only one of the cities of Latium,
already growing in importance but not much stronger than the others. The next
century saw a series of struggles as nieghboring tribes presses on the plain
of Latium. Gradually the Romans and their allies were able to take the offensive
and prevail.
In 390 b.C. a horde of Gauls moved south through Etruria, defeated a Roman army,
and sacked Rome, although a small garrison still held the citadel on top of
then capitoline Hill. One night the Gauls quietly ascended the hill and almost
surprised the garrisonm but some geese, kept for religous purpose, herd the
Gauls and with their cackling woke the Romans: the attack failed. Finally the
gauls withdrew on payment of a large ransom.
As Roman power was extended over the whole of Latium and Roman interests began
to spread to other parts of central Italy. Rome came into conflict with the
Samnites hill-tribes. Again there was a series of wars. In the end Rome met
successfully a combination of Samnites, Umbrians, and Etruscans. Rome was now
in control of central Italy.
In south Italy were many cities colonized by the Greeks. the chief of these
was Tarentum, which regarded the region as its own sphere of influence. When,
therefore, Rome sought to help the Greek cities, Tarentum picked a quarrel with
Rome. Once more Rome was successful. By 270 B.C. Rome was mistress of all Italy
south of the Apennines.
Up to this point Rome's interests were cenntered in Itlay. Now came a new phase in her history as Rome became a Mediterranean power. At the north-east end of the Bay of Tunis in Northern Africa lay Carthage, a rich and important city. Founded by the Phoenicians about 850 B.C.,
I t became the capital of one of the most imortant in empires of ancient times.
For ceturies Carthage and Rome had been friendly, but commercial epansion and
other desire for more territory brought the two powere in conflict. The First
Punic War (264-241 B.C.) saw the rise of Rome as a naval power. As a result
of her victories, Rome added the island of Sicily to her territories. During
the second Punic War (218-201 B.C.) The great Carhaginian general Hannibal invaded
Italy, but his many victories failed to break Rome resistance. Eventually Rome
was again victorious, adding Spain to her empire. Half a century later came
The Third Punic War (149-146): after a stubborn defence Carthage was taken and
destroyed. Her territories in Africa were added to Rome's dominions.
Rome was now undisputed mistress of the western Mediterranean and had begun
to form an overseas empire. With the increase in territory came an increase
in power. The empire continued to grow until all lands bordering on the Mediterranean
were under its dominion and its influence extended as far as Britain on the
west and the Euphrates in the east. At the height of its power the Roman Empire
comprised 1,600,000 square miles.
Rome's military successes were followed by an epansion of buisness and an increase
in wealth; Rome became the chief financial center of the Mediterranean. Unfortunately
her successes also brought many difficulties and problems. Victorious generals
carrieds to Italy thousands of slaves, who did the work that citizen farmers
and laborers had done before. Meanwhile, too, the soil of amny of farms had
been exhausted. Efforts were made to open up new lands, but not enough were
available. crowds of farmers left the country districts and drifted to the cities,
especially to Rome where there was little employment for them.
The qualities which had been enabled the Romans to become so strong were; mankiness,
endurance, self-sacrifice, love of country, and the ability to organize and
govern. With the increase of wealth and luxury, there began a sad decline in
Roman morals and politics. Successful generals, backed by armies ready to do
their bidding, had more power than the goverment, and sometimes used their power
to secure election into office.