Founding of Rome

Voc. Words:

Legend---  a story handed down from the past/long ago; they are often based on fact, but are usually not entirely true

History --a stories about people who lived long ago

Historian- person who studies letters, journals, and other monuments to find out what happened in the past

_____________________________________________________________________________

What is History?  History is a story.  In fact, history is many stories about people who lived long ago.  We can learn   stories about kings and queens, soldiers and lawmakers, good guys and bad guys.   There are stories of great buildings and great battles.  We can learn about how people lived, what they wore and what they ate.  Most of the stories we'll hear and study about are true--they really happened.  We'll also hear some stories that the people of long ago told each other.  We know these stories didn't really happen, but they tell us a lot about the beliefs of people long ago. 

How do we know about the past?  We can't really ask the people who lived then!  We learn about the history by studying things that people left behind--things like medals or coins or tools.  Sometimes these people drew pictures of things that were important to them and sometimes they wrote letters, journals and other records in many different languages that we have to learn how to read.  

People who study letter, journals, and monuments to find out what happened in the past are called HISTORIANS.  They want to know what happened to people of the past, where they lived, and what mattered to them.  They use the old letter, pictures or other objects left behind to help figure out the stories of people who lived long ago. 

Let's begin learning the history of Rome: 

Most agree that the city of Rome was founded in 753 BC.  One of the most popular legends about the founding of Rome comes from a tribe called the Latins.  They settled along the Tiber River on the future site of Rome. The legend involved twin boys, named Romulus and Remus (grandsons of King Nubitor), who were thrown into the Tiber River by a wicked uncle. He stole the kingdom from his brother and   feared that the baby boys would grow up and seek revenge .  They were pulled out of the river by a mother wolf who had lost her cubs.  Later they were discovered by a shepherd and he took the babies home to his wife. When the boys were grown, they killed their uncle and started the city of Rome.  Each man wanted the city named after him.  In the argument that followed, Romulus killed Remus. 

Romulus became the first king in 753 BC and the city was named was named Rome in his honor.  This story is interesting because it shows the violence and harshness that became a basic part of the Roman character. 

_________________________________________________________________________

The story of the twins Romulus and Remus is a legend.  Rome wasn't really started because the twins almost drowned but because the land Rome occupies by the Tiber River was a great place for people to settle.  The river and the hills around it probably made it hard for enemies to approach.  Etruscans were settled in northern Italy about 800 BC taking over the peoples already living there.  They built many cities, including Pisa, Siena, and Assisi, which are still in existence today.( Show pictures of Pisa,) Rome was already an established city when the Etruscans took it over.  They developed cities, art and religion.  The 3 primary Etruscan deities were Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, which the Romans also worshiped later.  Although the Etruscans conquered Rome, the Romans were always looking for a chance to throw off Etruscans domination. 

In 509 BC they succeeded in gaining political freedom, but they retained many Etruscan customs.The Etruscans claimed that nations, like people had a time of birth, growth and earth.  They believed the average life of a nation was between 80-120 years.  When their 120th birthday as a nation approached, the Etruscan soldiers lost the will to fight.  This weakened their powers and before long Rome took over. The Romans overthrew the Etruscan king and gained their freedom.  The Roman troops began to take over the Etruscan cities one at a time and by 250 BC the territory once controlled by the Etruscans was now part of the Roman Republic. 

The Romans adopted many things from the Etruscan civilization.   One was the men's main garment, the toga (which we will discuss later) and also copied their homes (also will be discussed later). One of the most typical Etruscan characteristics--their harsh almost bloodthirsty concept of life influenced the Romans.  

Additional information:  Kingfisher Hit. Enc. pgs. 34-35

Growing up in Ancient Rome -- Who were the Romans pg. 4-5

Usborne Ancient World-- Founding of Rome pg. 196-197