Giovanna's Western Civ. Blog

Roman power spread to Judea, the home of the Jews, around 63 B.C. At first the Jewish kingdom remained independent, at least in name. Rome then took control of the Jewish kingdom in A.D. 6 and made it a province of the empire. According to biblical tradition, God had promised that a savior known as the Messiah would arrive and restore the kingdom of the Jews. historians believe that sometime around 6 to 4 B.C., a Jew named Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea. raised in the village of Nazareth in northern Palestine baptized by a prophet known as John the Baptist preached, taught, did good works, and reportedly performed miracles teachings contained many ideas from Jewish tradition, such as monotheism, or belief in only one god, and the principles of the Ten Commandments. emphasized God’s personal relationship to each human being.   stressed the importance of people’s love for God, their neighbors, their enemies, and even themselves God would end wickedness in th

Today, we had our test on Ancient Rome and to my luck it was open blog!! I was stressing because I stayed up till 1 AM trying to study while I was half asleep. I wasn't that confident with the material so when I came to class and heard it was open blog, it took so much weight off my shoulders. Without it being open blog I definitely would have failed but I think I did very well since we could use notes. I finished right as the bell rang because I took my time on every single question so I hope it pays off with a good grade.

Granted citizenship to people in provinces Expanded the Senate, adding his friends Created jobs for the poor, especially through public works projects Increased pay for soldiers Started colonies where those without land could own property “Sic semper tyrannis!” “Thus always to tyrants!” Why? The senators saw Caesar’s rise in power as a huge threat to their political viability How? They lured him into the Senate, stabbing him 23 times, making sure all were involved Who? Even Brutus, Caesar’s ally (“ et tu, Brute? ”) Senators were not punished Octavian was named Julius Caesar’s sole heir Basically, this is the end of the republic Julius Caesar’s grandnephew - and adopted son - Octavian takes over at the age of 18! with his own triumvirate Mark Antony is an experienced general Lepidus is a powerful politician This is the Second Triumvirate Octavian forces the weak Lepidus to retire He and Mark Antony become rivals Mark Antony

how do you keep the plebs happy (or at least keep them from revolting)? the poet Juvenal said Rome "anxiously hopes for two things bread and circuses" bread (free grain from state) and entertainment ( Circus Maximus, Colosseum) partly to keep them alive, and partly to keep them quiet, distracted, and docile Tiberius Gracchus recognized the advantages of courting the plebeians (even though he was ultimately unsuccessful)  military generals worked that angle- lead an army that conquers a land, then give them a share in the spoils. Soldier's loyalty was to their military leader not necessarily to Rome or the Republic. Julius Caesar (100- 44 BCE) Highly successful general he conquered the huge territory of Gaul made common folks happy made friends in high places Pompey ( a general who conquered Syria and Palestine) Crassus (richest man in Rome, one of the richest men in all history) these three men formed the first Triumvirate "rule of 3 men" "C

5000 soldiers, not in it for pay (not yet) The Roman army's elite heavy infantry Recruited exclusively from Roman Citizens Groups of eight's a century  On horseback is the century Shield, sword, dagger, and armor and tunic The Punic Wars (264-146 BCE) Rome vs Carthage three wars First Punic War (264-241 BCE) Naval battles for control of the strategically located island of Sicily Rome wins this one Second Punic War (281-201 BCE) 29 year-old Carthaginian general Hannibal almost does the impossible: take Rome Attacks Rome from the north after crossing Ibena (Spain) and the Alps Lays siege too much of the peninsula for 15 years, but he never can get Rome Third and final Punic War (149-146 BCE) Rome wanted to finally remove the threat of Carthage Scipio, Tiberius Gracchus, and other mercilessly attacked the city Carthage was burned for 17 days; the city's walls and buildings were utterly destroyed When the war ended, the last 50,000 people in the ci

Legal Code - Rome/US Twelve Tables publicly displayed gave rights to plebeians, not just aristocrats only protected free-born male citizens (not women) Bill of Rights - first ten amendments to the constitution free speech/press/religion bear arms no quartering no search and seizure  no self-incrimination right to fair trial jury trials no cruel or unusual punishment right to privacy and rights are assumed states have power where fed doesn't

democracy- the people's assembly and the tribunes aristocracy- the senate - 300 members monarchy- the consuls not a tyranny- eww.. too scary. A mistake the Romans did not care to repeat Government originally, the US modeled their new government on the model used by the ancient Romans is it exactly the same? not quite.... both have 3 branches of government executive legislative judicial both have a legal code Executive ~ Rome two consuls one year terms each has veto power controls the military could appoint a dictator in a crisis for a 6 month term  Executive ~ US President ( + VP) four year terms can veto proposed laws commander - in - chief of the military Legislative ~ Rome Senate - 300 people- aristocrats- member for life assemblies (centuriate or tribal) 193 members (later 373)- members for life Legislative ~ US Senate - 100 senators (two from each state)- six year terms House of Representatives - 435 members 55 from