EQ: How did Rome Change From Being a Kingdom, Republic, and then an Empire?
Summary: The Romans were a kingdom while they were being ruled by the Etruscans. They became a Republic after they vowed to never be ruled by a king after being ruled by the Etruscan dynasty the Tarquins, and they beheaded the last king, Tarquin the Proud. After strengthening their army, they conquered other lands and connected them by building roads in between them. They also treated these people well to keep them from rebelling.
How did geography play a role in Rome's origins?
Rome's location was strategically chosen for many reasons. Italy wasn't as mountainous as Greece was and had more plains, which made for more farming, more food, and made Rome able to support a large population. The city of Rome was built on the banks of the Tiber River and close enough to the Mediterranean Sea to be a powerful trading empire, but far enough to avoid straight forward attacks from the sea that pirates and other nations brought. Rome was a peninsula and it was surrounded by water on three sides, and like Greece they had to find a source of fresh water. Greece was unable to find a main source of water, but the Roman's had the Tiber River, so they could support a larger population than Greece.
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Why was the Tiber River important to Rome?
The Tiber River played a much important part in Rome's success. It helped them establish a successful trading industry because it gave them a direct passage to the Mediterranean Sea. It also gave them some protection from outside invaders so they wouldn't be directly on the sea. The river also provided a source of drinkable water.
What role does the legend of Romulus & Remus play in Rome's beginning?The legend of Romulus and Remus played a huge part in Rome's beginning. It determined how Rome would be ruled, who would rule it, and how the city was built. Romulus and Remus were twin brothers that were lost by babies but found and raised by a she-wolf. She raised them and one day they built a city on the banks of the Tiber. The had to decide who would rule the city. During a fight, Romulus killed Remus and decided to name the city after him, Rome, and rule it himself.
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Who were the Etruscans?
The Etruscans were another kingdom that lived in Italy before the Romans. When the Romans built their city the Etruscans decided to invade and conquer Rome. So know they were the rulers of Rome and decided how it would be ruled. During Tarquin the Proud's rule, the Romans decided they were sick of the kings who ruled and mistreated the citizens of Rome so they decided to dethrone him by beheading him. They set up a republic and vowed to never be ruled by a king again.
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Why was Rome strong?
Rome was a very strong empire at the height of its rule for many reasons. Rome first of all was a republic, which they were not ruled by a king or queen, but an emperor that was chosen by the citizens of Rome. Rome also had a very strong army, which every male citizen had to join the army. Also Rome's rulers were smart, after the Tarquin dynasty was over and the republic was being used and all of the lands conquered by the army, at least one legion stayed behind to manage the city-state. The soldiers treated the people well though so that they wouldn't rebel.
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In what ways were Rome's rulers smart?Rome's rulers were smart because they built a road connecting all of their territories that the army had conquered. They also treated these conquered people well because they knew they would rebel if they mistreated them like the Tarquins did them.
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