The Roman Civilization

The Roman Civilization started in the Italy, south of Europe. It is believed that Etruscans, a tribe from Asia Minor had settled down in the western part of Italy. It is said that Romus and Romulus had built the city of Rome in 753 BC. From 753 to 509 BC, Rome was controlled by a monarch. After that, it became a republic. Roman society was divided into two groups- Patricians and Plebeians. They Patricians enjoyed political, social and economic privileges, but the Plebeians were exploited by the Patricians. After 200 years of continuous struggle, Plebeians forced Patricians to surrender and Law of Twelve Tables was enforced. This guaranteed the right to equality. After that, the roman supremacy spread all over Italy and there was political unity in the country.

Rome-Carthage War

A war broke between Rome and Carthage, a kingdom in the northern part of Africa and it lasted for a century from 264 BC to 164 BC. There were three different wars which were known as the Punic Wars. The second was known as the Hannibal war. After Rome destroyed Carthage, they had absolute lordship over the Mediterranean region.

Rome was a rich country then. The life of people became luxurious. With the extension of the empire, social inequality also increased due to which peace and order could not be maintained.

Rise of the dictators and their reforms

After the civil wars, the dictators came into power. Pompey, Julius Caesar and Crassus were the main dictators. After the death of Crassus, there was a rivalry between Julius Caesar and Pompey. Julius Caesar defeated Pompey and became a permanent dictator. Julius Caesar built the Roman Empire by conquering almost all the countries of Europe. Besides, he issued a calendar. Due to all these reasons, he is called a great man.

In 43 BC, he was murdered by rivals. As a result, a civil war began and the civil war lasted for 14 months. Augustus Caesar came to power and he became the first emperor of Rome after it became an empire. He ruled for 17 years from 31 BC to 14 BC. His reign is known as the Golden Age of Rome. He expanded his empire and strengthened his army. The Roman empire came to an end in 500 AD after the country was invaded by the German tribe called Huns and the Turkish tribe called Turks.

Social, Economic and Cultural Reforms

• Father was the head of the family and everybody had to obey his order.
• Women were deprived of political rights, but there was the provision of education for them.
• Slavery system and divorce system was prevalent.
• Rome was an agricultural country. The farmers grew crops like wheat, barley as well as reared cattle.
• Trade was well flourished.
• Transport and sea transport had developed.