On the Italian peninsula, on hills overlooking a fertile plain and the Tiber River, a new city-state emerged whose citizens became masters of the world. Hardworking and serious, the Romans valued family and city above all else. After a period of monarchy, Romans developed a new form of government, the republic, in which both rich and poor citizens participated. Rome then turned outward, conquering the Italian peninsula before turning to the Mediterranean. Military success strengthened Rome with wealth and slaves and brought the influence of Hellenistic culture to the city. Unfortunately, the republican form of government degenerated into power struggles and violence. Nonetheless, Rome left its mark on Western civilization in the form of laws, technology, and a way of life.

In Chapter 4, the students learn

about the mythical founding of Rome in 753 B.C.E.

the importance of family and republican values in ancient Rome.

how the "struggle of the orders" (patricians and plebeians) resulted in reforms that gave a political voice to the latter from about 509-287 B.C.E.

about the Roman conquest first of Italy , and then of a larger empire, and how the Romans governed their empire successfully for a long period of time.

about the seriousness with which the Roman republic took religion.

how the Roman army became an important institution in Rome.

how Rome 's growing empire led to a greater dependence on slave labor, an increased disparity between rich and poor, and the discarding of traditional values.

about Rome 's Hellenization.

how the invention of concrete and the use of the arch allowed the Roman to build structures of unprecedented size and design.

about the danger of an increased dependence on slaves.

how attempted reforms by Tiberius and then Gaius Gracchus led to the murder of each brother and hundreds of his followers by elements in the Senate who opposed their land and economic policies.

how the political machine established by the Gracchi and their opponents polarized Roman politics and introduced violence.

how the uneasy alliance of the First Triumvirate broke down, with Julius Caesar refusing to disband his army.

about the factors that led to Caesar's rise.

how the murderers of Caesar were unable to restore the old Roman republic.