Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar

 Augustus Caesar: "I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble." These were the words that Augustus Caesar muttered on his deathbed. Historians have several idea to what he was referring to when he said this. Was it the richness and how powerful he had made the Roman Empire? Or was he referring to the way that he had added to Rome's great, famous, and powerful architecture?  For after all many of Rome's famous and great architecture (some of which is still standing today) was built under the reign of Augustus. Such as, the Ara Pacis (alter of peace), the triple arch of Augustus, temples (one dedicated to Julius Caesar after he was declared a god by the senate), and lastly Romes aqueducts. Of course almost all of Augustus's building projects had a deeper meaning take for example, The Ara Pacis shows peace and prosperity. The 3 arches represent that his military strengths are three times as great as those before. And lastly the temple honoring Caesar showed his families ruling among divine right! 

 

Augustus Caesar

Julius Caesar: Julius Caesar was always greatly admired by the people. He was well known for his great military leadership and strategy. He gave many jobs to aid the poor as well as ending the rule of corrupt leaders in the senate. For this reason he however lost the trust and liking from the senate! He also expanded the amount of citizens in Rome by lowering the rules for being declared citizenship. He also gave government positions from some people from lands that he had conquored Caesar was indeed a  great reformer. 

Julius Caeser Reformer or Dictator?

Throughout his life, Julius Caesar was liked and admired by many, as well as loathed and feared by others.  Many thought that he didn't act in Rome's best interest, he was to self absorbed and eager for fame.
I personally think that  Caesar was a reformer. He ended the corrupt nature among the leaders in the senate by replacing them with trused others. He restored the cities destroyed by the republic. As well as, strengthen and expanded Rome's empire. He also did not treat defeated enimies with as much cruelty as some.

I think that maybe Caesar did want power but, he went about it in a good way  and not just for him.

The Geography and Climate of the Italian penensula

Explain in detail how the geography and climate of the Italian peninsula affected the development of ancient Rome. 

Rome grew and was built into a great city by its victories over apposing tribes. It spread from South to East. Rome also pushed toward the Alps in the North. The geography of where Rome is set it great because of how close it is to the sea, but also towards the center of the Italian peninsula, both these actions provided great trading opportunities also it faces towards the alps giving it good protection against attacks.  After being taken over by Carthage Rome began to build strong sea forces and soon controlled most of the Mediterranean area by them. Also Rome was on an area that used to be volcanic meaning that rocks for building were easy to come by. 

The Founding Of Rome

Describe the two legends that have to do with the founding of Rome. Then describe how and when Rome was actually founded. 

Romulus and Remus:

Two brothers were abandoned by the King, they were  placed in a basket and sent down the river to be discovered by a shepherded and his wife. The shepherded soon told the twins of their orgins so the brothers set out during 753 B.C.E to build a city. The two did well together until they began fighting. In the end Romulus attacked Remus and killed him. 

Aeneas: 

The legend of Aeneas was is a much older tale, that was more popular around the time of Ancient Rome, as Romulus and Remus is more popular today. Aeneas was said to be a Hero who was the son of Venus. During this time Aeneas was fighting in the Trojan war, he escaped to Rome where he married the kings daughter, and expanded and built the empire Rome.  

True Story of the Founding of Rome: 

 At around 1000 B.C.E the Latins began settling in the area where Rome was yet to be. They didn't start building their great civilization right away though, it was merly a settlement where pigs and cows were hearded, just a simple area of settlement. Soon different tribes began invading after all the area was a perfect place it way a few miles from the sea as well as in the central area of the Italian peninsula meaning there was great trade routes, it was guarded by the Alps and sea giving little room for invasion you could say...the location was perfect. So they joined together and began defending themselves against invaders and soon a simple place for livestock, and herding was turned into the great city of Rome!!

"The Founding." The Roman Empire. 15 Dec. 2007. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <http://www.roman-empire.net/founding/found-index.html>.