Post on 20-Jan-2016
Ancient Rome
& its World& its World
Roman Geography
Italian Peninsula 750 BCE
Influences•Etruscans•Greeks•Latium region – Latins and
Sabines. – tribal, agrarian
Reflections on the Etruscan CivilizationBy Graziano Baccolini
I can never succeed in understanding why Italians still fail to recognize the enormous contribution that the Etruscan civilization has made to our Western civilization. We keep on believing the teaching that the Greeks and above all the Romans are the peoples to whom the Western world owes its origins. All of this is considerably exaggerated and based on historical falsehoods. However, I have ascertained instead that it is the Etruscans, coming from the East, who are the true founders of our European culture, …
Etruscans• Settled between 900 - 800 BCE• Origins unknown, possibly
eastern Mediterranean, possibly Asia Minor
• Brought civilization and urbanization to Italian Peninsula
• Single most important influence on Roman culture in its transition to civilization.
Chimera
Etruscan society & Contributions
• Architecture & Engineering– Arch used in gates & bridges– FORUM plan
• Women play a fairly significant role• Alphabet a variation of Greek,
foundation for Latin (isolate language)
• Religion – anthropomorphic gods
& divination (augury)
• Artistic Legacy
ROMAN BEGINNINGS….
As the Etruscans developed their civilization in the North, what events were taking place south along the Tiber River?
The ForumThe Forum• political and
economical center of Rome during the Republic
• It emerged in the 7th century BCE
maintained well into the Imperial period– reduced to a
monumental area
Roman Origins• Legend and
mythology ???• Ancient writers such as
Livy and Herodotus• Archeological evidence • Virgil’s Aeneid• Titus Livius , The
History of Rome– Romulus and Remus,
founders of Rome. – Romulus murdered
Remus– Romulus - the first King
of Rome
Rise of Roman Power
Consolidation of Italian Peninsula …
(5th C – 3rd C BCE)
•RomeRome: a city state w/ Etruscan Kings - liberated 509 BCE
•Continual Battle for control•Organization of Governing Body
Roman Roman RepublicRepublicStructure & Society
GovernmentLawFamilyGenderArtistic Legacy as a reflection of values and society
Foreign Relations
Making sense of the Roman Republic
1. What is meant by republic and is the Roman Republic a democratic system? Explain.
2. Romans are perhaps best remembered for their law code, first created during the Republic period. What was, and continues to be, so significant about this law code?
3. What aspects of the Roman system do you see as being problematic in terms of its future success?
Roman Republic509 BCE Rome is liberated270 BCE control of entire Peninsula
2 Consuls(Rulers of Rome)
Senate (Representative body for patricians)
Tribal Assembly (Representative body for plebeians)
DICTATORDuring war or conflict
Roman RoadsAppian Way
Built Roman Cultural Identity
Soldiers spread throughout
Taxation, citizenship –in some cases
The Twelve Tables, 450 BCEThe Twelve Tables, 450 BCECODE OF LAW•Earliest (surviving) piece of literature•Created out of the struggle for legal
and social protection and civil rights between:–PATRICIANS the privileged class–PLEBEIANS the common people
•Bound both parties to the agreement•Magistrates (the 2 consuls) were to
enforce impartially.
The Twelve TablesThe Twelve Tables• TABLE I Procedure: for courts
and trials• TABLE II Trials, continued.• TABLE III Debt• TABLE IV Rights of fathers
(paterfamilias) over the family• TABLE V Legal guardianship
and inheritance laws• TABLE VI Acquisition and
possession• TABLE VII Land rights• TABLE VIII Torts (Laws of
injury)• TABLE IX Public law• TABLE X Sacred law
Plebeians also won…
TRIBUNE w/VETO Power
Continued to gain more participation in government
V. 1 "Our ancestors saw fit that "females, by reason of levity of disposition, shall
remain in guardianship, even when they have attained their majority."
XI. 1 "Marriage shall not take place between a patrician and a plebeian."
What do these tell us about Roman society?
Excerpts from Twelve Tables
Insights from the Twelve Tables
main bonds which hold the society together and allow it to operate are:
•the clan (genos, gens)•patronage (patron/client)•the inherent (and inherited) right
of the patricians to leadership (in war, religion, law, and government).
Recap…
1. What strategies/methods did the Romans implement in their takeover of the Italian Peninsula?
2. Why would it be correct to say that the Mediterranean Sea was the most significant geographic feature in the development of the Roman Empire?
3. How did Roman expansion influence their relationship with their neighbors?
Carthaginians
218218BCE: after 1BCE: after 1stst Punic War Punic War
Punic Wars• Roman & Carthaginian Rivalry • 264 BCE- 146 BCE
1st Punic War 2nd Punic War 3rd Punic War
Roman victory •Sardinia•Corsica•Sicily
Hannibal invades RomeRomans invade CarthageRomans defeat Hannibal at Zama
Romans invaded CarthageSold survivors into slavery“Salted the earth”
Rome establishes provinces in North AfricaRome establishes provinces in North Africa
Hannibal’s RouteSecond Punic War, 218BCE
Siege of Carthage
100100BCE: After 3BCE: After 3rdrd Punic War Punic War
Evaluating the Success of the Republic
• In what ways was the Roman Republic a success?
• In what ways was the Roman Republic a failure?
• How could the creation of an empire essentially bring about an end to the government of the republic?
Roman Empire
Civil War & Transition
From Republic to EmpireFrom Republic to EmpireCivil War Emerged from the spoils & chaos
of conquest…– Excess wealth from cheap labor and markets– Sizeable slave population– Corruption & greed
• Widening gap between rich & poor• Calls for reform:
– Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus (Tribunes)• the poor should be given grain and small
plots of free land.•Assassinated
Political TurmoilPolitical TurmoilCivil War gave rise to professional armies,
instead of citizen soldiers– Loyal to commanders, not senate or consuls
Competition among – “old Republicans” who believed Senate
should hold the power– Popular leaders (reformers, commanders)
ENTER…. JULIUS CAESAR: Consul & Commander
Julius Caesar: Julius Caesar: Veni, vidi, viciVeni, vidi, vici
• Conquered Gaul 59Conquered Gaul 59 BCEBCE
• Crossed the RubiconCrossed the Rubicon– Marched on Rome Marched on Rome
disregarded Senate & disregarded Senate & Pompey’s ordersPompey’s orders
• Ruled as a dictator Ruled as a dictator – maintained Senate which maintained Senate which
had no real powerhad no real power
• ReformsReforms– Public works, increased Public works, increased
citizenship, created jobs, citizenship, created jobs, calendarcalendar
Beware the Ides of Beware the Ides of MarchMarch
Senators feared Caesar's growing power
What should be the legacy of Julius Caesar?
Provide examples in support of your decision…
Julius Caesar was a reformer who was working in the best interest of the Roman people when his life was cut short by assassins.
Julius Caesar was a dictator who intended to use his popularity to usurp the power of the Senate and establish a monarchy to benefit himself and his family.
Julius Caesar’s true objectives will never be known, but given the available evidence I believe his legacy is best described as ……having pitted Roman against Roman and ultimately destroying the Roman Republic.
Julius Caesar’s true objectives will never be known, but given the available evidence I believe his legacy is best described as ……having laid the foundation for the great Roman Empire.
AD 337: At its Peak
Civil War Again!Caesar’s supporters joined forces to
capture murderers • Caesar’s chief general: Marc Antony• Caesar’s grandnephew: OctavianPower struggle ensued between
Antony & Octavian
The Age of Empire had begun….
Antony & Cleopatra
Roman EmpireRoman Empire31BCE Octavian defeated Antony &
Cleopatra•27 BCE Senate bestowed title
“Augustus” –Religious connotation, divine, semi-divine–Monarchy disguised as republic
•Preserved traditional offices•New standing army loyal to emperor
–Ruled for 45 years – Initiated Pax Romana
Augustus of Prima
Porta
ADAD 14: 14: At the time of Octavian At the time of Octavian Augustus DeathAugustus Death
Pax RomanaROMAN PEACE• Wealth brought greater Urban development of
Rome– Circus Maximus, The Coliseum, Aqueducts– Development of Cities (Paris, London, Lyon, Toledo)
• Interdependence– Specialization of Agriculture – Facilitation of Trade and Communication
– Postal Service, Roads
• Roman law (added to and adapted 12 Tables)– Innocent until proven guilty– Right to face accusers in court of law
Mare Nostrum
Roman Roads
North African road almost 3,000 miles
All Roads Lead to Rome
Coliseum & Circus Maximus
Aqueducts
Engineering an Empire
How had life changed for people during Pax
Romana?Consider…
Roman SocietyRoman SocietyWhat aspects stayed the same as the
Republic and what changed?• Growth of New Social Classes
– Merchants, contractors, engineers, landowners
• Pater Familias– “Father of the family” – patriarchal, deferential society
• Women’s Role– Domestic affairs, inheritance & influence grew over
time
• Slavery– 1/3rd of Population – growth of slave population– revolts
73 BCE Spartacus Revolt
Politics & Religion
Polytheism to Monotheism
Belief Systems of the Belief Systems of the Early Roman EmpireEarly Roman Empire
• Polytheistic spirits (unlike Greece) Pantheon of deities (like Greece)– Jupiter – principle god
• Rituals, Sacrifices, Priests & Priestess• Tolerant, blended with other local religions
– Religions of Salvation (saved for a better afterlife)– Cult of Isis
• Jewish Community problematic to Roman Emperor Because of monotheistic nature– Jewish War 66 – 70AD
– Emergence of Christian Jewish Sect- followers of Jesus of Nazareth
Early Christian Beliefs & PracticesEarly Christian Beliefs & Practices• Monotheistic
– Jesus of Nazareth – Savior & son of God
• Salvation equally accessible to all– Eternal life - Salvation– Rich, poor, men, women– High moral standards of conduct
• Faith ahead of personal & family interests –• Regional variations according to bishops
– Role of women, ordination, account of Jesus’ life & impact
challenges to traditional Roman
society
Spread of Christianity
How are Roman officials likely to respond to the growth of the Christian sect?
Why might Christianity become more of a concern for the Romans than the Jewish sect?
Christian relationship with Christian relationship with Early Roman EmpireEarly Roman Empire
• Missionary Component– St Paul of Tarsus traveled throughout Mediterranean
bringing converts to Christian Community– Appealed to lower classes, women, urban populations– Sizeable Christian population by 300 CE
• Problem…Refused to honor Roman deities or recognize Emperor as having an element of divinity– Sporadic campaigns by Empire to persecute &
eliminate Christians
Back to Politics…
What changes were taking place in the Empire by the 3rd Century?
What were some of the problems the Empire might be experiencing?
Later Empire: Fundamental Later Empire: Fundamental Political ChangesPolitical Changes
Accession of Diocletian to the throne in A.D. 284.• Roles of consul, tribune, senate lost any remaining
significance, and were practically abolished.
• 292, Diocletian created a Tetrarchy :– A co-Augustus in the West; – Two lesser rulers (Caesars)
• Each emperor ruled in his own territory– defending the frontiers– suppressing revolts
Emperor ConstantineEmperor Constantine• Ruled 306 to 337 • ruled the ‘Western Empire’
– proclaimed emperor by the legions of Gaul
– Battle of the Milvian Bridge
• Ended the civil wars of the Tetrarchy• 323 Constantine became sole
Emperor of the whole Roman world
Constantine’s Constantine’s ConversionConversion
• Vision in battle -Constantine had soldiers wear crucifix
symbol into battle• 313 - Edict of MilanEdict of Milan granted by Constantine
– religious freedom throughout the Roman Empire– restitution of property confiscated from Christians.
• Constantine's profession of Christianity deprived it of much of its independence
– used the church as an instrument of imperial policy– imposed upon the church his imperial ideology
ConstantinopleConstantinople • Dedicated on May 11, 330 • Ancient Greek city of
Byzantium • Capital of the empire• Favorable position
– Economic (ports, trade)– Political (eastern fronts)
• Christian Capital – Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom)
Hagia Sophia
Fall of the Roman EmpireFall of the Roman Empire
Not one specific cause• Internal Decay • External pressures• Timing consistent
with Fall of Asian Empires
• Crises of Late Antiquity
Internal DecayInternal Decay
• Disease & epidemics– small pox, measles
• Economic drain– Centralization unmanageable– Rise of regional self sufficiency
• Political turmoil – succession crises
• Widening gap between rich and poor
External pressuresExternal pressures• Germanic invasions• Late 4th Century Huns
– Attila the Hun– Aggressive westward migration– Invaded Hungary, Balkans, Northern Italy
• Pressure on other Germanic groups – Visigoths, Franks, Vandals– Invaded Roman territories– Rome sacked 410– 476 Imperial Authority came to an end
Crisis of Crisis of Late Late
AntiquityAntiquity
Sources
• http://www.unrv.com/empire/founding.php• http://www.csun.edu/~hcfll004/12tables.html• http://sights.seindal.dk/sight/4_Forum_Romanum.html• http://history-world.org/christianity
%20conversion_of_constantine.htm
• http://www.earlychurch.org.uk/constantine.php