Chapter 11: Mediterranean Society; the Roman phase
ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME . . .
Foundation of the Roman Empire:City of Rome-founded in the 8th century B.C.E.
Romulus & Remus: found by a she-wolf
-Romulus founded Roma and est. himself as the first king
Indo-European migrants settled in Italian peninsula
Bronze metallurgy: 1800 B.C.E / Iron metallurgy: 900 B.C.E.
Etruscans: dominated Italy from 8th 5th centuries B.C.E.
-Kings provided city with streets, defensive walls, temples, & public buildings
Rome=situated on Tiber River no risk of
invasion from sea
Alps provided protection from invasion as well
The Roman Republic:509 B.C.E-monarchy replaced by aristocratic republicRoman Forum-political & civic center for gov’t businessConsuls-elected by an assembly of patricians; formed civil &military powerPatricians=wealthy class; Plebians=common peopleSenate-ratified all major decisions; composed of aristocratsStrained relations between the two classes; Patricians let plebians elect tribunesRomans treated their subjects fairlyPunic Wars- Romans against Carthage; series of 3 wars; Romans wonsalted land for agriculture and forced many into slaveryHellenistic Empires- Antigonids ruled Macedonia; Ptolemies ruled Egypt; Seleucids ruled Syria & Anatolia
Republic to EmpireGracchi Brothers- wanted to limit amount of conquered landGaius Marius- a general who worked to reform land distributionSulla- a general who allied with the aristocrats; in his reign he murdered manyCivil warLatifundia- large plantations Julius Caesar: centralized control-social reformer; took large part in sponsoring public entertainment -conquered Gaul & seized Rome; named himself dictator for lifeOctavion: ended civil conflicts; defeated Mark Antony
-given title of “Augustus” -ruled a monarchy disguised as a republic-reorganized military and placed people who were loyal to him in important positions Pax Romana- period of Roman peace Twelve Tables- codified Roman law
Economy & Society:“All roads lead to Rome”- extensive and advanced roads with postal stations; linked all parts of Roman empire togetherEconomic foundation=agriculture; owners of latifundia focused on production for exportTraded actively in Mediterranean-called mare nostrom (our sea)Acqueducts- brought water into the cityPublic baths, temples, stadiumsConstructionemployment for hundredspopulation increasedeconomy grewattracted migrantsCircus Maximus & the Roman Colosseum provided entertainment-battles between gladiators and animals, etc.
Gladiator Colosseum Battle http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8
5c5n_gladiator-escene-battle_music
Family & Society:Pater Familias (“father of the family”)-eldest male
in family was dominant
-women had much influence over family
matters & could own property
-fathers could sell children into slavery
Merchants, landowners, etc. gained much
wealthrivaled nobility
Rich classes built large palatial houses &
held banquets
Family & Society Continued…
1st Century B.C.E.-poverty became problem and people would riot
-imperial authorities never est. urban policy, but kept people happy w/ “bread and circuses”
2nd century C.E.-slaves took up 1/3 of population;
worked on latifundia
-harsh conditions lead to revolts
-Spartacus-assembled army of slaves
-urban slaves had better conditions and possibility of
manumission (freed after many years of loyalty)
Cosmopolitan Mediterranean:Romans were polytheisticThe Pantheon-temple that honored all godsGreek Influence:-StoicismStoics -moral standards based on both nature & reason ethical codes-Cicero wrote on Stoicism; pursuit of justice=highest dutyReligions of salvation promised afterlife; comforted many-roads enabled quick spread of religion-Mithraism= cult of Mithras; popular among armed forces (men) and was associated with strength, courage, & discipline-Cult of Isis=most popular before Christianity; for both men and women
Judaism & ChristianityJews recognized only Yahweh as divine and thought of cults as blasphemy; mounted rebellions, however Romans won in the Jewish War (66-70 C.E.)-Essenes=sect of Judaism; Dead Sea ScrollsJesus of Nazareth:-Jewish teacher; teachings of devotion to God attracted many people-teaching of “the kingdom of God is at hand” threatened RomansexecutionChrist-“the anointed one”Paul of Tarsus: major role in spread of ChristianityChristianity spread rapidly; appeal to lower classes , women, and the urban population-most influential faith by 3rd century
PAUL OF TARSUS