John Keelan & Nathan Higgins

Mrs. Miller

Honors Geography

January 29, 2018

Ancient Rome

In 509 B.C.E. the Romans overthrew their Etruscan conquerors who had ruler ruled them

for hundreds of years. Rome started as just a small agricultural community, but became one of

the largest empires in ancient times. Its culture spread through the western world, developing

language, religion, welfare, and art forms that we still use today. In its 450 years of expansion,

Rome conquered the rest of Italy, France, Spain, North Africa, and Greece.

Soon after Rome had overthrew their rulers, they established a republic, where each

citizen was expected to play a role in the governing state. Two leaders, or consuls, were elected

by a senate composed of patricians. Aristocracy dominated, meaning those in the lower class had

little say in government. Men and women could be citizens, but women did not have suffrage.

One of the most important points in Rome’s history was the creation of the twelve great

tables. The twelve great tables were created in 449 B.C. where some of Rome’s greatest

government leaders carved their most important laws into tablets. These were the first Roman

laws that were put into writing, and they guaranteed equal rights for all citizens. America

adopted and still has some of these laws, such as public health programs and public welfare.

The economy of Rome was slave-based, and it thrived off of imports. The barter system

was very much alive in the ancient world, but they also developed the coinage system of

currency, which was adopted by many, including America. Its main concern was to feed its vast

number of citizens.
 Ancient Rome never had a very complexed economy. It wasn’t like most other

economies today, but it was still very effective, which is why Rome was so strong. Rome built

their economy mainly off of farming and trade. The crops of the Roman farmers in Italy were

various grapes, grains, and olives. Italy’s main exports were olive oil and wine which are the

most important products of the civilizations.

When a war or an emergency situation occurred, the Senate and the consuls would

choose a temporary leader or dictator to rule until the situation would be resolved. The Senate

and consuls would appoint the new leader by making sure they are decisive and a strong leader.

The new dictator would be put under lots of pressure to make the correct decisions to help

resolve the situation.

Ancient Greek and Rome have many comparisons between their cultures. They both are

Mediterranean countries where there main products are olives and wine. They are both based off

agriculture. Although they practiced agriculture, the Romans also believed in trading which was

their stronghold. The Greeks didn’t trade because they thought trading lead to degrading. Both

the Greeks and Romans worked mines and had slaves help run their economies.

Rome is superior to Greece because they are better at dealing with politics and war. The

Romans first succeeded by unifying Italy. Then, Rome went and unified the Mediterranean and

took it under their control. While the Romans were unifying, Greece couldn’t unify with

themselves and had to wait to be unified by Alexandra. The Romans were also more skilled and

prepared when it comes to war. They won many big battles such as Magnesia and Pydna. Even

though the Romans used and took some of the Greeks techniques, they modified the techniques

and made them much easier to use. Ancient Rome never had a very complexed economy. It

wasn’t like most other economies today, but it was still very effective, which is why Rome was
so strong. Rome built their economy mainly off of farming and trade. The crops of the Roman

farmers in Italy were various grapes, grains, and olives. Italy’s main exports were olive oil and

wine which are the most important products of the civilizations.

When a war or an emergency situation occurred, the Senate and the consuls would

choose a temporary leader or dictator to rule until the situation would be resolved. The Senate

and consuls would appoint the new leader by making sure they are decisive and a strong leader.

The new dictator would be put under lots of pressure to make the correct decisions to help

resolve the situation.

Ancient Greek and Rome have many comparisons between their cultures. They both are

Mediterranean countries where there main products are olives and wine. They are both based off

agriculture. Although they practiced agriculture, the Romans also believed in trading which was

their stronghold. The Greeks didn’t trade because they thought trading lead to degrading. Both

the Greeks and Romans worked mines and had slaves help run their economies.

Rome is superior to Greece because they are better at dealing with politics and war. The

Romans first succeeded by unifying Italy. Then, Rome went and unified the Mediterranean and

took it under their control. While the Romans were unifying, Greece couldn’t unify with

themselves and had to wait to be unified by Alexandra. The Romans were also more skilled and

prepared when it comes to war. They won many big battles such as Magnesia and

Pydna.Ancient Rome never had a very complexed economy. It wasn’t like most other

economies today, but it was still very effective, which is why Rome was so strong. Rome built

their economy mainly off of farming and trade. The crops of the Roman farmers in Italy were

various grapes, grains, and olives. Italy’s main exports were olive oil and wine which are the

most important products of the civilizations.

 When a war or an emergency situation occurred, the Senate and the consuls would

choose a temporary leader or dictator to rule until the situation would be resolved. The Senate

and consuls would appoint the new leader by making sure they are decisive and a strong leader.

The new dictator would be put under lots of pressure to make the correct decisions to help

resolve the situation.

Ancient Greek and Rome have many comparisons between their cultures. They both are

Mediterranean countries where there main products are olives and wine. They are both based off

agriculture. Although they practiced agriculture, the Romans also believed in trading which was

their stronghold. The Greeks didn’t trade because they thought trading lead to degrading.