Ancient Rome Review (6th Grade)

Ancient Rome Review (6th Grade)

By David Hesse

A Foundation Based on Legends

Romulus & Remus

According to legend, Rome was founded by twin brothers, Romulus (rahm-yuh-luhs) and Remus (ree-muhs). Romulus killed Remus. Then he built Rome and became its first king. Historians believe Rome was founded sometime between 800 and 700 BC. Early Rome was ruled

by kings until 509 BC.

Rome's first government was a monarchy, or ruled by kings.

Multiple Choice

What was the story of Rome's origins?

• Ancient Greeks traveled to and settled on the Tiber River.

• Remus and Romulus ruled Rome together for their lifetimes.

• Romulus killed Remus in order to become the king of Rome.

Multiple Choice

What was Rome's first type of government?

• Democracy (everyone can vote)

• Dynasty (one family rules for generations)

• Dictatorship (one person is appointed to rule)

• Monarchy (ruled by kings/queens)

Republican Rome (510-31 BC)

Rome entered its Republican Period in 510 BC. No longer ruled by kings, the Romans established a new form of government whereby the upper classes ruled, namely the senators and the equestrians, or knights. However, a dictator could be nominated in times of crisis. In 451 BC, the Romans established the “Twelve Tables,” a standardized code of laws meant for public, private, and political matters.

In a republic, leaders are elected to make decisions.​

Multiple Choice

A republic type of government is defined by...

• A king that is in charge

• People voting for leaders

• Leaders fight for the right to rule

• A ruling family is in charge

Multiple Choice

When a government appoints, or elects, a single person to be in charge and make all of the decisions, that person becomes a(n)...

• King

• Pharaoh

• Gladiator

• Dictator

Multiple Choice

This was the name of the code of laws that the Romans put on display in the public forum.

• "Who's House? Rome's House."

• The 12 Tables

• Hammurabi's Code

• Survival of the Fittest

Displaying The 12 Tables

Why did the Romans put the laws on display?

The Romans put The 12 ​Tables on display so that:

• Roman citizens would be aware of the laws and any changes.

• Travelers to Rome would also see the laws.

• People could not plead ignorance, or that they didn't know they committed a crime.​

How we do know about laws where we live?

Patricians & Plebeians

How were the rich and poor separated?

During the republic, within Rome, the plebeians, or common people, worked for change. Only the city’s patricians, the wealthy citizens, could be elected to rule Rome. When the plebeians elected their

own officials, the patricians changed the government to avoid a split.

Why would the patricians change the government to include the plebeians?

Multiple Select

Why did the patricians start to include the plebeians in the Roman Republic's government?

• The patricians were worried the plebeians would cause a civil war.

• The patricians had enslaved the plebeians and didn't want a revolt.

• The patricians were not citizens of Rome.

• The patricians did not want to lose what the plebeians provided.

Cincinnatus - a dictator that defeated the enemy and then resigned, or gave up, his powers.​

Hannibal - a general from Carthage defeated by Rome.​

​Julius Caesar - a Roman general that made himself dictator for life.

Famous Romans in the Republic

Appointed by the government to make all of the decisions during chaotic times like war.

Dictator

Roles in the Roman Republic

​Julius was only able to become dictator for life because he had the support of the people and his soldiers.

Magistrates

Elected officials

Consuls

Two most powerful magistrates

Multiple Choice

Which elected role from the plebeians had the most power?

• The magistrates

• The consuls

• The legions

• The generals

Multiple Choice

What was important about Cincinnatus's rule as dictator?

• He built aqueducts to supply more water.

• He conquered Alexander's empire.

• He built the colosseum.

• He gave up power after becoming victorious.

Multiple Choice

How was Julius Caesar able to become dictator for life?

• He was victorious and returned to Rome with the support of his soldiers.

• He paid off senators to support him as the only ruler.

• He convinced other cities to attack Rome to conquer it.

• His father was a dictator before him and it was his right.

Multiple Choice

Julius Caesar was assassinated by the senators of Rome. Why would the senators want to kill Caesar?

• He was terrible with Rome's wealth.

• He was unfair to the people of Rome.

• He supported other areas more than Rome.

• He took most of the senators' power away.

A form of money

​Currency

The largest group made decisions.

Majority Rule

How the Roman Republic worked:

​Rome would tax citizens and provinces to earn currency for projects like roads, aqueducts, the Colosseum, etc.

Checks and Balances

No one part of the government had too much power.

Veto

To forbid, or say no to, a new law or action by the government.​

​Provinces

Areas outside of a country that are controlled by that country

Aqueduct

A raised waterway to supply cities with more water.

Leaders of Rome after the Republic

​Augustus

After defeating Julius's enemies, Augustus claimed himself as the first emperor of Rome. He was originally named Octavian.

​Diocletian

The Roman emperor that divided the empire into two parts. ​

​Constantine

The emperor that reunited the Roman empire.

Pax Romana

A time of peace and prosperity, or wealth, in Rome.

Multiple Choice

When Caesar Augustus took power, he claimed he was giving back power to the Senate but then he made himself emperor. What is the benefit of making that claim?

• He would get the support of the Senate.

• The people would think he was weak.

• He didn't want the power.

• The senate had to appoint him to be emperor.

The "Barbarian" Impact on Rome

The Huns

Led by Attila, the Huns were one of the most dominant ​armies throughout Asia and Europe.

How did the Huns affect the Goths?

The Goths

This group kept moving away from the Huns and further into Roman territory. Rome tried to pay them to keep them peaceful, but they eventually caused Rome to be destroyed.

Multiple Choice

What caused the fall of the western part of the Roman Empire?

• The Roman Senate declared it was no longer an empire.

• The Huns pushed the Goths into Rome.

• The eastern part of the empire defeated the west.

• A natural disaster destroyed the west.

Roman Impact on Language

​Latin

The language the Romans used.

Romance Languages

Languages that came from Latin, such as Italian, French, and Spanish.

Satire

A style of writing that makes fun of society.

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT a Romance Language?

• Spanish

• Italian

• French

• Cantonese