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The Roman World Takes Shape. Truly the Romans were justified in calling the Mediterranean Mare Nostrum or “Our Sea.” Assess the validity of this statement. The Roman World Takes Shape. Geography – Boot shaped peninsula centrally located in the Mediterranean Sea.
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The Roman World Takes Shape Truly the Romans were justified in calling the Mediterranean Mare Nostrum or “Our Sea.” Assess the validity of this statement.
The Roman World Takes Shape Geography – Boot shaped peninsula centrally located in the Mediterranean Sea. The city of Rome was located in the center of Italy. Italy, as compared to Greece, was easier to unify because of geography: Less rugged mountains Connected – not isolated islands Fertile plains in the North and West supported a large population
The Roman World Takes Shape Peoples – Ancestors were Indo-Europeans called Latins. Established villages along the Tiber River. These villages would later grow creating Rome. Shared the peninsula with Greek colonists in the South and Etruscans in the North. Diffused with the Etruscans and the Greeks: Alphabet Arch, Column, Engineering Religion & Government
The Roman World Takes Shape Cultural Diffusion– Spread important aspects of Greece, Egypt, and Fertile Crescent West into Europe. Strong belief in the Roman virtues of courage, loyalty, and devotion to duty.
The Roman World Takes Shape Roman Patricians Very powerful – members of the Senate. 300 elected with life terms. Landholding upper-class. Elects 2 Consuls – supervise the business and military affairs. Issue decrees and interpret laws.
The Roman World Takes Shape Roman Plebeian Farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders. Looking to gain more power: 12 Tables Election of Tribunes Election of Plebeian to the Senate
The Roman World Takes Shape Roman Soldiers Legion – 5000 men Well disciplined, efficient, courageous, and trained army. Citizen Soldiers – fought without pay and with their own weapons. Operated with a rewards and punishment system.
The Roman World Takes Shape Roman Society Male dominant – absolute power. Women worked at home but could run businesses. Over time, women gained more freedom and influence. Children were educated especially the wealthy. Some used Greek tutors. Religion closely resembled the gods and goddesses of the Etruscans and Greeks.
The Roman World Takes Shape A Citizen of a Conquered Land Treated with justice and toleration. Had to acknowledge Roman supremacy and leadership. Had to pay tribute ($$) to Rome and supply soldiers. Allowed to keep their own customs. Roman Empire was protected by military outposts and connected by an all-weather road system.
From Republic to Empire The Punic Wars (264B.C. – 146 B.C.) – 1st Punic War – Rome gains Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia 2nd Punic War – Rome defeats Hannibal and Carthage gives up all land except in Africa 3rd Punic War – Rome destroys Carthage and controls all of the Mediterranean **Imperialism – establishing control over foreign lands and peoples**
From Republic to Empire Effects of Expansion – New provinces with rich trade routes – A new wealthy class develops. Lavish mansions - huge plantations - inexpensive food. This hurt small farmers because it caused a drop in prices – Farmers became part of an unemployed angry class which led to riots. Gap between rich & poor.
From Republic to Empire Gracchus Reforms – Distributed land to the poor. Use funds to feed the poor. Offer full citizenship to allies. Both were killed as they were a threat to the power of the Senate. Civil Wars – 100 years – Caused by a struggle for power.
From Republic to Empire Julius Caesar – Dominated Roman military & politics. Conquests of new lands (Gaul). Threat to the Senate & Pompey. Forced Senate to make him dictator. Reforms included public works, unemployment, redistribution of land, province reorganization, offer citizenship, Julian Calendar (still in use). Killed by rivals – sets off war between Marc Anthony & Octavian
From Republic to Empire Octavian – After Caesar, he becomes the new dictator and is renamed “Augustus.” Sets up a stable government, efficient civil service, job opportunities, self-government to provinces, a new census to make the tax system fair, creates a postal system, new currency, and public works. Official end of the Republic.
From Republic to Empire Good & Bad Emperors – Caligula & Nero – bad, brutal, and insane rulers. Hadrian & Marcus Aurelius - Good, stable rulers. Pax Romana – 200 year period from Augustus to Aurelius. Prosperous trade, safe society, and cultural diffusion.
From Republic to Empire Family, Religion, and Entertainment – Male run household. Women gained freedom. Celebrated many gods and goddesses – very similar to the Greeks. Circus Maximus, gladiator contests, Bread & Circuses (food/drink for the poor).
“Greece has conquered her rude conqueror” • Horace Assess the validity of this statement.
Greco-Roman Civilization Literature, Philosophy & History – Used many Greek styles Aeneid, by Virgil spoke of Roman heroism History taught about the rise and fall of Roman power. Philosophy of Stoicism, which influenced Christianity and emphasized the well being of humans.
Greco-Roman Civilization Art & Architecture– Imported Greek statues. Used Greek decorations. Use of the column, dome and arch. Construction was usually larger than Greek architecture (Parthenon vs. Pantheon).
Greco-Roman Civilization Legal System– Concepts have been shared with many western civilization and cultures including the United States. Two systems – Civil Law – laws that applied to citizens Law of Nations – laws that applied to citizens and non-citizens. Legal system created unity and stability (140).
Greco-Roman Civilization Sciences– Excelled in building bridges, aqueducts, sewers, water lines, and bath houses. Ptolemy – Earth was the center of the universe. Galen – Medical dictionary. Concern for scientific experiments, mapmaking, public health issues, science, math, and a wide variety of subject areas.
The Rise of Christianity • Romans were basically tolerant of the varied religious traditions in the empire, and even excused the Jews from worshipping Roman gods, which would have been a violation of Judaism. • Founded by Jesus, Christianity rose out of Palestine and was firmly rooted in the Jewish religion. • Despite Roman persecution, Christianity spread, partly due to its welcome of all people, especially the poor and oppressed. • Over time, the Christian Church developed into a hierarchical organization that allowed only men to become members of the clergy.
The Fall of the Roman Empire “Roman civilization did not die a natural death. It was murdered.” • Andre Piganiol - Asses the validity of this statement.
The Fall of the Roman Empire The Upheaval of Rome • Death of Marcus Aurelius – End of the Pax Romana • Numerous emperors to follow • High taxes • Debt slavery • Foreign invaders – Germanic peoples, Huns (Attila), Visigoths, Vandals, Angles, Lombards, etc.
The Fall of the Roman Empire Attempts at Reform • Diocletian – • Divided the empire into two parts to restore order and make it easier to govern (East & West). • Increase the image of the emperor by establishing lavish ceremonies and rituals. Ex: Robe • Fixed prices on goods and services • Farmers had to remain on their lands and sons had to keep the occupation of their father.
The Fall of the Roman Empire Attempts at Reform • Constantine – • Toleration to Christians by issuing the Edict of Milan. • A new Capital was formed and called Constantinople • Constantinople made the Eastern portion of the Roman Empire the center of Roman life.
The Fall of the Roman Empire The Death of Rome • Military – Lacked desire, discipline, and training. Had to rely on mercenaries. • Government – Oppressive, Authoritarian, corrupt and divided. • Economics – High taxes, debt, poverty, slavery, and laziness. • Social – Decline in values such as patriotism, loyalty, devotion, and self-reliance. • Christianity – Use of roads to spread message, devotion to God and not to the state, the offer of salvation provided hope.
