Ch 6: McDougal Littell World History Chapter 6: Ancient Rome and Early Christianity, 500 B.C.-A.D. 501

1. The Founding of Ancient Rome & Rome's Early History

Rome is one of history's most powerful empires located in the Italian Peninsula. Learn about the early history, inhabitants of Italy, the Latin invaders, and the myth of Rome's founding.

2. Rise of the Roman Republic: Summary of Events

The rise of the Roman Republic began in 509 BC with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy. Explore the summary of events that led to this rise, and learn about some contributing factors such as its location, military strategy, and political structure.

3. Formation of the Roman Republic: Offices, Institutions and History

After the removal and exile of Rome's last king in 509 BCE, the citizens chose to found a republican government. Learn about Rome's offices, institutions, history, and consul, along with the definitions and differences of patrician, shared, and plebeian power in the new republic.

4. The Political Structure of the Roman Republic

Many modern systems of government take direct inspiration from that of the Roman Republic. Explore the political structure of the Roman Republic, including the class structure and the roles of the consuls, the senate, and the assembly.

5. The Latin, Samnite & Pyrrhic Wars

From 343-276 BCE, the Roman Republic fought a series of wars that would lead them to total control of the Italian peninsula. Explore the causes and impact of the Latin War, the First, Second, and Third Samnite Wars, and the Pyrrhic War.

6. The Punic Wars: Causes, Summary & Hannibal

The Punic Wars were a series of bloody conflicts between Carthage and Rome. Explore the similarities and differences between these nations; review a summary of the causes and results of the first, second, and third Punic Wars; and learn the impacts that Hannibal and Scipio Africanus had on the battles.

7. The Seven Kings of Rome: History & Summary

Rome began as a monarchy, and its kings remain shrouded in mystery. Explore the history and legends of the seven kings of Rome, from Romulus, the founder of the Roman monarchy, to the four duly elected kings, to Rome's last two kings.

8. Reform in the Roman Republic: The Gracchi, Marius & Sulla

Reform in the Roman Republic was largely instigated by the massive slave population in Italy during the 2nd Century BCE and 1st Century BCE. Learn about the crisis in the late Republic, the slave revolts, clashing classes, land monopoly, the Gracchi, Marius, and Sulla, a broken political system, and the revolution.

9. The Death of the Republic: Julius Caesar & Pompey

The death of Julius Caesar was a shocking and crucial part of Roman history, and was a catalyst for many big changes. Learn more about Caesar's rise and fall from power, the Roman civil war, Pompey Mangus, and the death of the republic.

10. The Early Roman Empire and the Reign of Augustus Caesar

Augustus Caesar, originally named Gaius Octavius, was the first emperor of Rome after the Republic. Learn more about the early Roman empire, the reign of Augustus Caesar and the meaning of the name 'Augustus.'

11. Roman Law and the Pax Romana: Definition, Meaning & History

One of Rome's significant achievements was the development of a legal system that established the rights and obligations of its citizens. Learn how to define Roman law, explore its history, its three branches of government, and how it became Rome's greatest export; then discover the lasting legacy of the Pax Romana.

12. Roman Engineering and Architecture

The style of ancient Roman engineering and architecture was similar to the Greeks' yet distinct from it at the same time. Learn about Roman use of concrete and brick and mortar masonry and explore applications such as the Roman arch, aqueducts, the dome, and roads.

13. Roman Art: History, Characteristics & Style

Because Roman artwork has its roots in Greek artwork, Greek works were a solid foundation for Roman artworks, sculptures, and mosaics. Learn about the origin and history of Roman art, its characteristics, and the different artworks made by Romans.

14. The Gospels: The Life of Christ

The Gospels' depiction of the life of Christ altered history. Learn about the New Testament miracles, the Son of God and His miracles, the plot against Jesus Christ, His crucifixion and resurrection, and His ascension.

15. Paul and the Early Church Fathers

The Christian Church considers Jesus' original twelve disciples and the Apostle Paul to be the earliest Church Fathers. Learn about the twelve disciples of Christ, their persecution and what happened after the Apostle Paul's conversion.

16. St. Stephen & Christians in the Roman Empire

St. Stephen was a martyr persecuted after the Day of Pentecost. Learn about St. Stephen and Christians in the Roman Empire, including the Pentecost, the death of Stephen, Roman issues with the Last Supper, and the role of men like Nero and Domitian.

17. The Conversion of Constantine and the Ascent of Christianity

Constantine's conversion to Christianity was a historically defining moment that led to the rise of Christianity. Learn more about how the conversion influenced Constantine's reign, Christianity, the Nicaean Council and the Edict of Milan.

18. The Early Christian Church and Its Ties to Judaism

The early Christian Church had deep ties to Judaism. Discover the history of the early Christian Church, learn about the biblical authors, and delve into the relationship between Jesus and Christianity.

19. The Fall of Rome

The fall of Rome was a major event that happened over a period of time. Examine the reasons behind the fall of Rome, including internal corruption, its division into Eastern and Western halves, and outside invasion.

20. The Aeneid by Virgil

Virgil was a Roman poet whose poem, ''The Aeneid,'' continues to be renowned centuries after it was published. Discover the literary nuances of the poem, its purpose in outlining a new epic for a new age, and its depiction of Rome's glorious destiny. Meet the poem's dynamic cast of characters, including the hero Aeneas, Dido Queen of Carthage, wrathful Juno, and omnipotent Jupiter while traveling across the Mediterranean and through the Underworld.

21. Augustus' Propagandists: Virgil, Horace and Ovid

The impressive rise of Caesar Augustus also led to the rise of some prominent propagandists who had thriving careers during his reign. Learn more on Augustus' Propagandists Virgil, Horace, and Ovid who contributed to his quick rise in politics.

22. Emperors of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty

The Emperors of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty governed as the first rulers of the Roman Empire. Learn about the life and death of the emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero, as well as details about their reigns and successions.

23. The Year of the Four Emperors & the Flavian Dynasty

The three Flavian Emperors reigned during some of the most notable historical events in Rome. Learn how Vespasian seized power, why Titus was nicknamed ~'the Tragic,~' and how the dynasty came to an end with Domitian.

24. The Five Good Emperors of Rome & the Nervan-Antonine Dynasty

The Five Good Emperors brought peace, stability, and prosperity to Rome after Emperor Domitian was assassinated in 96 CE. Discover the Nervan-Antonine Dynasty, which was led by: Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius.

25. Emperors of the Severan Dynasty

The family that ruled the Roman Empire around 200 CE was known as the Severan Emperors. Explore the emperors from this time period and the impact they had on Roman culture.

26. Division of the Roman Empire: Diocletian & the 3rd Century Crisis

The 3rd Century Crisis was sparked with a conflict around the title of Emperor, leading to assassinations and nearly to the collapse of Rome due to the five F's: feuding, factions, funding, foreigners, and freaky disease. Explore each of these causes in context and learn how Diocletian saved the Roman Empire from destruction.

27. Legacy of Ancient Greece: Art, Government, Science & Sports

From the brilliance of their scientific innovations to the soaring heights of their art, the ancient Greeks left an indelible mark upon the world. Explore Greek art, government, science, and sports, and examine how the legacy of each still impacts the world today.

28. Ancient Roman Culture & Its Influence on Modern Life

Ancient Roman culture has had a wide-ranging effect on modern life. Examine the contributions made by the Romans to modern governments and legal systems, learn about the Romance languages, and discover ancient Rome's role in Christianity.