Mediterranean Society: The Roman Phase

Mediterranean Society: The
Roman Phase
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1

The Geography of Rome
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Establishment of Rome
Legend of Romulus and Remus
Rome Founded 753 BCE
Indo-European migrants c. 2000 BCE
Bronze c. 1800 BCE, Iron c. 900 BCE
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3

The Etruscans
Originally from Anatolia
Colonized Roman regions
Society declines late 6 th c. BCE
Greek maritime attacks
Celtic invasions from north
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4

The Kingdom of Rome
Monarchy through 7 th -6 th c. BCE
Streets, temples, public buildings
Major center of trade routes
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5

Establishment of the Republic
509 BCE Romans overthrow last Etruscan
king
Roman forum built
Republican constitution
Executive: 2 consuls
Senate
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6

Roman Law
Twelve Tables, c. 450 BCE
Adapted to diverse populations under Roman
Rule
Innocent until proven guilty
Right to challenge accusers in court
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7

The Twelve Tables, 450 BCE
Providing political and social
rights for the plebeians.
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The Roman Forum
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Social Conflict
Patricians (aristocrats)
Plebeians (commoners)
Major class conflict 5 th c. BCE
Plebeians allowed to elect tribunes for
representation
Rights expanded through 3 rd c. BCE
Yet 6-month appointments of dictators
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10

Expansion of the Republic
Dominated Etruscans
Took over iron industry 5 th -4 th c. BCE
Expansion via military threat and incentives
Tax exemptions
Trade privileges
Citizenship
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11

The City of Rome
Cash flow
Taxes, tribute, spoils, commerce
Massive construction projects
Statuary, monumental architecture, aqueducts
Technology: concrete
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12

Roman Attractions
Imported goods
Underground sewage
Circus Maximus
250,000 spectators
Colosseum
Gladitorial Games
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13

Roman Aqueducts
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The Roman Colosseum
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The Colosseum Interior
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Circus Maximus
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The Punic Wars
Conflict with Carthage, 264-164 BCE
Three major wars over Sicilian grain supply
Later conflict with declining Hellenistic Empires
Rome dominates Mediterranean by middle of 2 nd C.
BCE
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18

Carthaginian Empire
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Hannibal’s Route
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Imperial Expansion and Domestic
Problems
Land distribution
Perennial problem
Development of large latifundia
Unfair competition for smaller landholders
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21

The Roman Empire to 146 BCE
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22

Commercial Agriculture and Trade
Latifundia: production for export
Regional specialization increases
Integration of Empire-wide economy
Mediterranean Sea: Mare Nostrum, “our sea”
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23

The Gracchi Brothers
Tiberius and Gaius
Attempted to limit land holdings of aristocrats
Assassinated
Development of private armies made up of landless
peasants
Gaius Marius (with reformers)
Lucius Cornelius Sulla (with aristocrats)
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24

Civil War
87 BCE Gaius Marius takes Rome
Lucius Cornelius Sulla drives Marius out 83
BCE
Reign of terror follows
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25

The First Triumvirate
Julius Caesar
Marcus Licinius Crassus
Gaius Magnus Pompey
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Civil War & Dictators
Pompey
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Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar
Nephew of Marius
Escapes Sulla’s terror
Relatively young, well-timed trip abroad
Rises to popularity
Public spectacles, victories in Gaul
Attacks Rome 49 BCE
Names self Dictator for life in 46 BCE
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28

Caesar’s Policies
Centralized military, governance under personal control
Redistribution of land to war veterans, other allies
Major building projects reduce urban unemploymnent
Extended citizenship to provinces
Aristocrats threatened, assassinate Caesar in 44 BCE
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29

Beware the Ides of March!
44 BCE
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Augustus
Civil conflict follows death of Caesar
Nephew Octavian fights Mark Antony &
Cleopatra
Takes title Augustus 27 BCE
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31

Octavian Augustus:
Rome’s First Emperor
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The First Roman
Dynasty
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Augustus’ Administration
Monarchy disguised as a republic
Increasing centralization of political, military
power
Stablilized empire
Death in 14 CE
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34

Expansion and Integration of Empire
Roman occupation of increasingly remote areas
Gaul, Germany, Britain, Spain
Coordination of crop production, transport of natural
resources
Developed infrastructure, cities emerge
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35

The Roman Empire, c. 117 CE
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36

Pax Romana: “Roman Peace”
27-250 CE
Facilitated trade, communication
Roadwork
Curbs, drainage, milestones
Postal service
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37

Pax Romana: 27 BCE – 180 CE
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Family and Society
Pater Familias: “father of the family”
Right to arrange marriages, sell children into
slavery
Women not allowed to inherit property
Rarely enforced
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39

Wealth and Social Change
Newly rich challenge aristocracy
Yet poor class increasing in size
Distraction: “Bread and Circuses”
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40

Slavery
2 nd c. CE: estimated at 1/3 of Empire population
Customary manumission at age 30
Agricultural work, quarries, mines
Chain labor
Revolt under Spartacus, 73 BCE
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41

Roman Deities
Polytheistic
Major gods
Tutelary deities
Absorption of gods from other cultures
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42

Cicero and Stoicism
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-46 BCE)
Major orator, writer
Influenced by Greek thought
Proponent of Stoicism
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43

Mithraism
From Zoroastrian myth: god of Sun, light
Roman version emphasizes strength, courage,
discipline
Women not admitted into cult
Appealed to military
Cult of Isis also popular
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44

Judaism in Early Rome
Jewish monotheism at odds with most ancient
cultures
Refusal to recognize state gods
Repeated Jewish rebellions
Romans finally crush Jewish self-governance in
Jewish Wars (66-70 CE)
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45

Synagogue at Capernaum
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46

The Essenes
Messianic Jewish Cult
Baptism
Ascetic lifestyle
Dead Sea Scrolls
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47

Jesus of Nazareth
Jewish teacher
Moral code, reputation for miracle-working
Romans fear instigation of rebellion, crucify
Jesus
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48

The Rise of Christianity
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Jesus’ Early Followers
Belief in Jesus’ resurrection, divine nature
Title Christ: “Anointed One”
Teachings recorded in New Testament
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50

Paul of Tarsus
Extends teachings far beyond Jewish circles
Intensive travel, missionary activity
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51

St. Paul:
Apostle to the Gentiles
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Early Christian Communities
Local leaders: Bishops
Regional variation in doctrine and ritual
Nature of resurrection
Role of women
Gradual acceptance of core texts
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53

The Spread of Christianity
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Growth of Early Christianity
Roman persecution
Yet dramatic expansion of Christianity
Especially with dispossessed, disenfranchised
classes
Urban poor
women
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55

The Empire in Crisis: 3c
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Diocletian Splits the
Empire in Two: 294 CE
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Constantine: 312 - 337
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Constantinople: “The 2 nd
Rome” (Founded in 330)
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Barbarian Invasions: 4c-5c
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Attila the Hun:
“The Scourge of God”
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The Byzantine Empire
During the Reign of Justinian
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