Ancient Rome and Early Christianity last from about 500 B.C. – A.D. 500. Civilizations emerge and develop on fertile river plains in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China. The early Romans establish a republic, which grows powerful and spreads its influence. Romes geography was chosen because fertile soil and its strategic location. Located on the Italian peninsula in the center of the Mediterranean sea, built on seven hills on the Tiber River. The first Romans were Latins, greeks, and Etruscans, who competed for control of the region. Latins found an original settlement of Rome somewhere between 1000 and 500 B.C. Etruscans are native to northern Italy and influence Roman civilization.
Around 600 B.C etruscan kings begin …show more content…
The first Roman literature appeared around 240 B.C. with translations of Greek classics into Latin; Romans would eventually adopt much of Greek art, philosophy and religion.
Rome was divided across class lines. The ruling class was called Optimates while the lower classes, were known as the Populares. They were not strict political parties. In general, the Optimates held with traditional political and social values which favored the power of the Senate of Rome and the prestige and superiority of the ruling class. The Populares, again, generally speaking, favored reform and democratization of the Roman Republic. These ideologies were opposing and would famously clash in the form of three men who would bring about the end of the Roman Republic.
When Pompey returned to Rome, he started a alliance known as the First Triumvirate with Marcus Licinius Crassus and another big role in Roman politics, Gaius Julius Caesar. After earning military glory in Spain, Caesar returned to Rome in 59 B.C. From his alliance with Pompey and Crassus, beginning in 58 B.C.; Caesar received the governorship of three wealthy provinces, in Gaul he then set about conquering the rest of the region for