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Mediterranean Society: The Roman Phase. Chapter 11. Learning objectives for Chapter 11. Explain Rome's development from small city-state with a king to a republic. Explain the constitution of the Roman republic and its expansion into a preeminent power in the Mediterranean.
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Mediterranean Society: The Roman Phase Chapter 11
Learning objectives for Chapter 11 • Explain Rome's development from small city-state with a king to a republic. • Explain the constitution of the Roman republic and its expansion into a preeminent power in the Mediterranean. • Describe the transformation of Rome from a republic to an empire, from the Gracchi brothers to Augustus. • Assess the impact of the continuing expansion and integration of the empire on the lands around the Mediterranean.
Learning objectives for Chapter 11 • Explain the expansion of trade and urbanization in the Roman Mediterranean and their impact upon society. • Explain the significant features of family and social values in Roman times. • Understand the influence of Greek philosophy and religions of salvation upon the Roman world. • Outline the experiences of Judaism and early Christianity in the Roman empire.
What can be summarized about Rome’s geography? • Geographic features of Ancient Rome • Large “boot shaped” peninsula • Swiss Alps located in the north; the rest plains and rolling hills • Located in the middle of Mediterranean • Rome built inland on the Tiber River • Mild climate
What effects did geography have upon the Roman people? • Effects of geographic location • Ideal for tradebecause of location • Ideal for conquestin Mediterranean • Safe from invaders along the Tiber River
What effects did geography have upon the Roman people? • Developed strong central government • Mountainsin north provided some protection • Fertile plains supported growing population
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
The Etruscans • Originally from Anatolia • Colonized Roman regions • Society declines late 6th c. BCE • Greek maritime attacks • Celtic invasions from north
The Kingdom of Rome • Monarchy through 7th-6th c. BCE • Streets, temples, public buildings • Major center of trade routes
Roman social classes were broken up into three parts PATRICIANS:Wealthy landowners PLEBEIANS:Farmers, workers, merchants, artisans, traders SLAVES:Typically foreign (Greek); acquired for labor The makeup of the Roman social order
Political power originally in hands of patricians PLEBEIANS: Had to rebel to force patricians to give them power The makeup of the Roman social order
Establishment of the Republic • 509 BCE: Romans overthrow last Etruscan king • Roman Forum built the center of Roman public life • Republican constitution • Executive: 2 Consuls • Senate
Social Conflict • Patricians (aristocrats) • Plebeians (commoners) • Major class conflict emerged in 5th c. BCE • Plebeians allowed to elect tribunes for representation eventually expanded from 2 to 10 • Rights expanded through 3rd c. BCE • Yet 6-month appointments of dictators during civil or military crisis republic?
Expansion of the Republic • Romans defeat Etruscans in north and Greek city-states in south • By 265 BCE, Rome controls Italian peninsula
Expansion of the Republic • Took over iron industry between 5th-4th c. BCE • Expansion via military threat and incentives • Forged alliances • Tax exemptions granted • Trade privileges extended • Citizenship offered to conquered 19
The Punic Wars • 264-164 BCE: Conflict with Carthage • Three major wars over Sicilian grain supply • Later conflict with declining Hellenistic Empires • Rome dominates Mediterranean by middle of 2nd C. BCE
Imperial Expansion and Domestic Problems • Land distribution • Perennial problem • Development of large latifundia(plantations) by wealthy • Unfair competition for smaller landholders
The Gracchi Brothers • Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus: Chief proponents of social reform in Roman Republic • Attempted to limit land holdings of aristocrats (especially conquered land)
The Gracchi Brothers • Assassinated in 130s-120s BCE by “enemies” (wealthy and radical elements) • Led to development of private armies made up of landless peasants • Also showed Roman republican constitution not suitable for a growing empire 24
Civil War • Elimination of Gracchi brothers led to century of politicians and military leaders jockeying for control of Rome • Military commanders recruited armies to support their cause • Gaius Marius (with reformers) • Lucius Cornelius Sulla (with conservative aristocrats)
Civil War • Civil war erupts during first century BCE • 87 BCE:Gaius Marius takes Rome • 83 BCE:Lucius Cornelius Sulla drives Marius out • Reign of terror follows under Sulla for five years • Marius well remembered for making soldiers loyal to general first and not Rome 26
Julius Caesar • Nephew of Gaius Marius • Escaped Sulla’s terror • Relatively young • Well-timed trip abroad to Greece • 60 BCE: Helps lead a triumvirate (group of three rulers)
Julius Caesar • Rose to popularity due to military prowess and public speaking • Public spectacles, victories in Gaul over Pompey • 49 BCE: Attacked Rome • 46 BCE: Names self “Dictator for Life”, ratified by Senate violated terms of Roman republican constitution
Caesar’s Policies • Centralized military, governance under personal control turned to dictatorship • Redistribution of land to war veterans, other allies • Major building projects reduce urban unemployment • Extended citizenship to provinces • Aristocrats threatened, assassinate Caesar in 44 BCE (March 15 “The Ides of March”)
Octavian (Augustus) • Civil conflict follows death of Caesar • Nephew Octavian fights Mark Antony & Cleopatra • 27 BCE: Takes title Augustus
Augustus’ Administration • Monarchy disguised as a republic • Increasing centralization of political, military power • Stabilized empire • Death in 14 CE
Expansion and Integration of Empire • Roman occupation of increasingly remote areas • Gaul (France), Germany, Britain, Spain • Coordination of crop production, transport of natural resources • Developed infrastructure, cities emerge
Pax Romana: “Roman Peace” • 27 BCE-250 CE: PaxRomana • Period of great economic and cultural expansion • Facilitated trade, communication • Roadwork • Curbs, drainage, milestones • Postal service established
Roman Law • Twelve Tables, c. 450 BCE • Adapted to diverse populations under Roman Rule • Innocent until proven guilty • Right to challenge accusers in court
Commercial Agriculture and Trade • Latifundia: Focused on agricultural production for export • Regional specialization increases • Integration of empire-wide economy • Mediterranean Sea: Mare Nostrum(“our sea”) a “Roman lake”
The City of Rome • Cash flow • Taxes, tribute, spoils, commerce • Massive construction projects • Statuary, monumental architecture, aqueducts • Technology: concrete
Roman Attractions • Imported goods • Underground sewage • Circus Maximus • 250,000 spectators • Colosseum • Gladiatorial Games
Family and Society • Pater Familias: “father of the family” patriarchal in nature • Right to arrange marriages, sell children into slavery • Women not allowed to inherit property, but found ways to sidestep law • Rarely enforced • Women could also run businesses in later times • Education stressed among lower and upper classes
Wealth and Social Change • Newly rich challenge aristocracy • Yet poor class increasing in size • Distraction: “Bread and Circuses” Panem at circenses(Juvenal) • Satisfy poor by giving them money and entertainment
Slavery • 2nd c. CE: Slaves estimated to be 1/3 of Empire population • Customary manumission (freeing of slave) at age 30 • Agricultural work, quarries, mines • Chain labor • 73 BCE: Revolt under Spartacus
Roman Deities • Polytheistic • Major gods • Tutelary deities • Absorption of gods from other cultures especially Greeks
Cicero and Stoicism • Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-46 BCE) • Major orator, writer • Influenced by Greek thought • Proponent of Stoicism
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
Judaism in Early Rome • Jewish monotheism at odds with most ancient cultures • Refusal to recognize state gods • Repeated Jewish rebellions • 66-70 CE: Romans finally crush Jewish self-governance in Jewish Wars
The Essenes • Messianic Jewish cult • Baptism • Ascetic lifestyle • Dead Sea Scrolls
Jesus of Nazareth • Jewish teacher • Moral code • Reputation for miracle-working • Romans fear instigation of rebellion, crucify Jesus
Jesus’ Early Followers • Belief in Jesus’ resurrection, divine nature • Title Christ:“Anointed One” • Teachings recorded in New Testament
Paul of Tarsus • Apostle of Jesus who extends teachings far beyond Jewish circles • Intensive travel, missionary activity