Ashleigh's Blog

Today we were assigned to take notes on slides 43-52 which are the last slides in the powerpoint. After Julius Ceaser's murder, his adopted son Octavian takes over at the age of 18 He creates his own triumvirate which is the second triumvirate - Himself - Mark Antony - experienced general - Lepidus - a powerful politician Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus - Octavian forces Lepidus to retire - rivaled with Mark - Mark teams up with Cleopatra of Egypt - Octavian defeats them at the battle of Actium Octavian - he was given the title Augustus (exalted one) and imperator (military commander) - he ruled as emperor for 40 years from 27 BC to 14 AD - He began Paz Romana - peace that lasted 207 years from 27 BC to 180 AD - Expanded the Roman empire to Africa - He set up a civil way to run the government - he died of natural causes - After his death, power was passed down to emperors Emperors Tiberius - ruled from 14 AD to 37 AD - good general - hesitant emperor

I am taking my test on June 2 at 1:25pm - 2:15pm.  Today we were assigned to take notes on slides 32-42 in the powerpoint. Plebeians - Bread and circuses were used to keep the plebeians entertained, alive, quiet, and distracted - Tiberius Gracchus liked this idea - soldiers loyalty was to the military leader not Rome or the Republic Julius ceaser (100-44BCE) - successful general - conquered huge territory of Gaul - make common folk happy - had highly ranked friends like Pompey and Crassus - these three (Julius teaser, Pompey, and Crassus) formed the First Triumvirate (rule of three men) - serves as counsel for 1 year - appoints himself as governor of Gaul - Ceaser's army ran into Pompey's and teaser won - 44BC he declared himself dictator for life - granted citizenship to people in provinces - expanded the senate and added his friends - got jobs for the poor - increased pay for soldiers - started colonies where those with no land could own a property - he

Today we were assigned to select our essay topic from a list of three topics, A, B, C. I choose A. Compare and contrast the government of Ancient Rome with the government of the modern day United States. I choose this topic because I think this is the topic I am the most familiar with.

Today we were assigned to take notes on Pg. 160-165 in our textbook. Problems in Rome: - increasing wealth - expanding boundaries - breakdown in military order This led to a shakeup of the republic and a new political system Rich and Poor - gap getting bigger between rich and poor - by 100 BC enslaved people made up 1/3 of Rome's population - small farmers couldn't compete with the big estates so they sold their farms to wealthy landowners - after selling land many were homeless and jobless - most joined the urban poor which is a group that make sup 1/4 or the Roman society - wealthy landowners were getting richer Tiberius and Gauis Gracchus - tried to help the urban poor - wanted to limits size of wealthy estates to give land to the poor - Tiberius died in 133 BC - Gaius died in 121 BC Civil War - big war between groups in the same country Military - generals were taking over with poor follower to whom they promised money in return Julius Caesar - e

Today we were assigned to look at slides 23-31, which covers the Punic wars, and write about them. From what I gathered, the Punic Wars lasted from 264-146 BCE and it was between Rome and Carthage. There were three wars in total between them. The first Punic war lasted from 264-241. They were fighting for control of the island of Sicily. Rome ended up winning this war. The second Punic War lasted from 218-201. In this war, Hannibal who was a 29-year-old general, wanted to take Rome. Even though he tried many strategies and even led to a siege for 15 years, he never could get to Rome. The third (last) Punic War lasted from 149-146 BCE. In this war, Rome wanted to take over Carthage. They attacked the city which resulted in Carthage burning for 17 days. Finally, Carthage was destroyed. After it was over, the remaining 50,000 people still in Carthage were sold into slavery.  Then Carthage was named Roman territory. Back in Italy, there were almost 1 million slaves by the 2nd century BCE.

Today we were assigned to read through slides 9-12 and slides 13-22 and discuss them. Slides 9-12 talked about Tarquin, his family, the awful things they did. Many people in this family wanted power so bad, they were willing to do anything. It started when Tarquin's grandfather dies and with wife names the new king (who isn't her son). He has two daughters which marry Tarquin and someone else. Tulia (one daughter not married to tarquin) kills her husband and sister so she can marry Tarquin. Tulia convinces Tarquin to take the throne from her father. Her father didn't agree with her, so they killed him. Later, Tarquins son was drunk and tried to force himself on a woman. The woman told her family then committed suicide. Tarquin tried to forget about it, but the people didn't like how they were being treated so they expelled the whole family from Rome. For centuries later they never had a king because they didn't want rulers to be like that family. In slides 13-22 it

Today we were assigned to take notes on the first 8 slides in the Rome powerpoint. Etruscans - settled Rome - north-central part in peninsula They are: - metalworkers, artists, architects Greeks - also settled Rome - colonies around the Mediterranean Sea The Romans borrowed their beliefs: - alphabet, art, techniques, weaponry Latins - settled Rome first - descend from Into-Europeans - settled on banks of Tiber - had a commercial port - built on 7 hills - they drained a swamp - the Forum - marshy areas - between Palatine and Capitoline Hills - Tarquin built the largest ancient drain that channeled into the Tiber Tarquin - Lucios Tarquinias Superbus - 7th and final king of Rome - known as Tarquin the Proud and Tarquin the Arrogant - tyrant

Today we were assigned to listen to the Rome rap and write our reaction. When I first saw this assignment, I was excited because I like listening to music. I was definitely not expecting it to be as detailed as it was. I was expecting like half page of a rhyming rap about Rome, but I was surprised to see the three pages of lyrics and intricate music. When I listened to it was just like a real rap song. I liked the song it went to as well. I was reading the lyrics as the song was playing and it covered everything we have been talking about Rome. It mentioned the Patricians, Plebeians, Hannibal, aristocracy, the Punic wars, and Julius Caesar. It must have taken a very long time to put that together.  All the lyrics made sense too. I also learned some things about Rome. I think there should be a Greek playlist for the unit. 

Today we were assigned to read pg. 156 in our textbook, watch the law and order in Ancient Rome video, and then write a summary from what we learned about the Twelve Tables. From reading and watching the video I have gathered some information about the Twelve Tables. The Twelve Tables were created in 451-450 BC. They are a set of laws inscribed on 12 tablets. The reason for making these laws were the plebeians in Ancient Rome. The plebeians felt like they were not being treated right and wanted a bigger role in the government. These laws were made to let plebeians have more of a say in government decisions and to show that everyone was equal. The Twelve Tables established the idea that all free citizens had a right to protection of the law. This was a big accomplishment for the plebeians because they took a step up in the social ranks when these laws were made. This was also a change in Rome because these laws declared everyone equals in a society of divided social groups.  

Today we were assigned to find and architectural landmark from Ancient Rome and describe it. In my research I found the Pantheon. It was built in 126 AD and served as a temple for the Roman Gods. It has been a Roman Catholic Church since the 7th century. It is shaped as a concrete dome and has huge columns. There is an opening at the top center of the dome. The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved Roman buildings and to this day it is still the largest unreformed concrete dome in the world.  This is what the outside looks like: This is what the inside looks like: